Quck answer
To open a locked door using a paperclip, follow these steps:
1. Straighten the paperclip: Bend the paperclip until it becomes a straight line with a small hook at one end.
2. Insert the paperclip into the lock: Insert the hooked end of the paperclip into the keyhole of the locked door.
3. Feel for the pins: Gently push the paperclip inside the lock while applying slight pressure. You should feel resistance as you encounter the pins.
4. Lift the pins: Use the paperclip to push the pins upward one by one. The pins will click into place as they reach the correct position.
5. Turn the lock: Once all the pins are lifted, twist the paperclip or use it as a makeshift key to turn the lock and open the door.
Remember, this method should only be used for emergencies when you are locked out of your own property and have no other options.
Lock picking may not be a skill that you consider essential as an honest and upstanding citizen. However, there may come a time when you forget your keys and find yourself locked out of your own house. In such a situation, you may not have lock-picking tools readily available, but if you have a paperclip, you can create a makeshift lock pick.
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For this method to work, you will actually need two paperclips. However, if you only have one, you can break it into two pieces or use a bobby pin or spare piece of electric wire as a substitute. It is also helpful to have a basic understanding of how a typical lockset functions.
I Am Locked Out of My House. How Can I Gain Entry?
Unless your home has an electronic lock with a touch pad, you will likely see a keyhole for the lockset and possibly one for the deadbolt. Hopefully, you know which one is locked. If both are locked, do not worry; you can open each one separately.
The paperclip lock pick relies on two tools. The first tool is the pick itself, which is a straightened paperclip. The second tool is a tension wrench, which can be made by bending a second paperclip at a 90-degree angle (or using half of the original paperclip if that is all you have). The tension wrench is necessary to maintain tension on the lock while you pick it.
Understanding the Lockset
Inside the lockset, there are several spring-loaded pins, typically five in most locks, and a rotating barrel with a hole for each pin. When the door is locked, the holes in the barrel are facing upward, and a pin is inserted into each hole. The barrel cannot turn until all the pins are pushed up and out of the barrel, which is what the key does when you insert it.
The key has unique notches that correspond to the lock it operates. Each pin is inserted to a different depth and must be raised to a specific height in order to clear the barrel. Since the pins are spring-loaded, the key holds them all up simultaneously. This is important to remember because you do not have a key, so you will need to accomplish this with a paperclip.
The Procedure for Using a Paperclip Lock Pick
If you find yourself locked out in the winter, you may need to de-ice the lock before beginning. It is crucial for the lockset barrel to be able to rotate freely.
- Place the shorter end of the tension wrench into the lower part of the keyhole. Use the other end of the wrench as a handle to apply pressure on the lock in the direction it opens. Maintain this pressure while picking the lock.
- Insert the pick into the upper section and push it in until it comes into contact with a pin. Try moving it upwards, and if it moves easily, proceed to the next pin until you find one that is stuck. Push this pin up while keeping pressure on the lock, and when it clears the barrel, the barrel will move slightly and remain lifted.
- Repeat this process with all five pins, and the barrel should rotate.
Unlocking a Bathroom or Bedroom Door Lock
Most interior locks have a small hole on the outside knob for emergencies. To unlock one of these locks, all you need is a straightened paper clip to use as a substitute for the key. Insert the paper clip into the hole and push to unlock the door.
