Accessing the many locked doors of a dead world.

[periodjuice]

I thought this might be useful to you all, as there will undoubtedly be many doors which are locked and breaking them down leaves you exposed thus, a lock picking thread.

Lock picks require thin tools with varying ends to tap the pins inside the lock and a nother piece to turn the lock cylnder once the pins are in the correct position, I made a set of hack saw blades that got ground down on a bench grinder and shaped with it as well. the torque is a allen wrench, (the one that looks like an L) with the short end ground flat and as thin as the picks

With lock picks you basically make your own key for any lock using the varying tipped ends, alternitavely you can tap the pins into position and hope they stay there

Bump keys.

Bump keys are keys made from a specific key for the lock you wish to open, this means you need one key for each different manufactured lock, or just carry a couple and break down or pick the ones you can't bump.

The picture should show you how to make it look and you could make one with a bench grinder and steel file, like a chainsaw sharpening file,

With a bump key you force it in very fast and turn, the points force the pins into place and your turning motion unlocks the lock, it can be accomplished very quickly and is much easier than using lock picks.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/bumpkeys.asp

Sorry I didn't move the pictures it was frustrating me to no end, the original posts complete with embedded and uploaded pictures can be found here http://zombieapocalypsecollaboration.ning.com/forum/topics/accessing-the-many-locked

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Reply by Stephen on November 30, 2008 at 7:48am
Cool, I carry a lockpick set around with me for practice and if someone locks themselves out of their house. I'll probably be getting one of these. Thanks!

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Bryan Permalink Reply by Bryan on December 2, 2008 at 2:30pm
read this book

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Autonomous Permalink Reply by Autonomous on December 2, 2008 at 5:56pm
Careful now lock picks are considered buglers tools in most places so if you carry them keep them in your car with the jack or magneted to the under side of your car anywhere out of sight will do. If anyone sees the lock picks and ask questions your best off saying you open locks for a hobby sometimes which sounds much better then"I'm training for the zombie Apocalypse" or "I'm waiting for someone to be locked out of their house". As for bump keys you could probably get away with them and if anyone ask it opens your uncles summer house or some other bull shit explanation. Just have a few good lies though up ahead of time.

Stephen said:

Cool, I carry a lockpick set around with me for practice and if someone locks themselves out of their house. I'll probably be getting one of these. Thanks!

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2Cents Undead Permalink Reply by 2Cents Undead on December 3, 2008 at 4:39pm
this is actully a really great idea, I bet tons of doors will be locked after Z Day

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Stephen Permalink Reply by Stephen on December 3, 2008 at 5:36pm
Of course. Having in depth knowledge about the local authority situation and laws is something I try to keep up at all times.

Autonomous said:

Careful now lock picks are considered buglers tools in most places so if you carry them keep them in your car with the jack or magneted to the under side of your car anywhere out of sight will do. If anyone sees the lock picks and ask questions your best off saying you open locks for a hobby sometimes which sounds much better then"I'm training for the zombie Apocalypse" or "I'm waiting for someone to be locked out of their house". As for bump keys you could probably get away with them and if anyone ask it opens your uncles summer house or some other bull shit explanation. Just have a few good lies though up ahead of time.

Stephen said:

Cool, I carry a lockpick set around with me for practice and if someone locks themselves out of their house. I'll probably be getting one of these. Thanks!

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GENJU Æ Permalink Reply by GENJU Æ on December 5, 2008 at 7:18am
When Z-Day comes, I will already be up in my secret spot thats completely perfect for survival so for lockpicking, I'm not too worried about this since a mini-sledge and a prybar for scavenging the suburban and urban area that are at the bottom of my hilltop refuge can easily take care of most common locks on houses, restaurants and stores in my area and my choice of "lockpicks" serves double-duty as a weapon thats already in my hand instead of putting my weapon away, pulling out a lockpicking tool, fiddling with the lock for a couple seconds, then trying to kill the zed with the lockpick that could be just standing there right on the other side of the door listening to you making scratching sounds on the lock waiting for its dinner..... maybe not alot of people have noticed this lil tidbit: most new and well maintained doors tend to spring and swing open an inch or two giving Zeddyboy just just enough room to slip his fingers in the gap to fling the door open and lunge at you (look at most lockpicking videos: the people doing the picking tend to be crouched/kneeling, not a good postition to be in really)

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Mason May Permalink Reply by Mason May on December 5, 2008 at 8:32am
This is a good point, I'd kind of been sharing the sentiment. It's quaint and all, preserving the door and showing your dexterity by spring the lock, but it's really not practical, when, like Genju said, I could have most doors open and down with a crowbar.

GENJU Æ said:

When Z-Day comes, I will already be up in my secret spot thats completely perfect for survival so for lockpicking, I'm not too worried about this since a mini-sledge and a prybar for scavenging the suburban and urban area that are at the bottom of my hilltop refuge can easily take care of most common locks on houses, restaurants and stores in my area and my choice of "lockpicks" serves double-duty as a weapon thats already in my hand instead of putting my weapon away, pulling out a lockpicking tool, fiddling with the lock for a couple seconds, then trying to kill the zed with the lockpick that could be just standing there right on the other side of the door listening to you making scratching sounds on the lock waiting for its dinner..... maybe not alot of people have noticed this lil tidbit: most new and well maintained doors tend to spring and swing open an inch or two giving Zeddyboy just just enough room to slip his fingers in the gap to fling the door open and lunge at you (look at most lockpicking videos: the people doing the picking tend to be crouched/kneeling, not a good postition to be in really)

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James Stinton Permalink Reply by James Stinton on December 5, 2008 at 11:27am
Genju's reasoning is sound. But depending on the location of the Door your opening, the Crowbar Raises the likelyhood of being discovered by both the autonomous dead, or other, less forgiving survivors.

The lock picking is worth looking into. If its not your thing, the Crowbar is simple enought for anyone to use =p
TheBox Permalink Reply by TheBox on December 5, 2008 at 12:38pm
um... i guess i'll play the devils advocate but why the hell would you want to do that?
Before the law completely exits the window you're going to be thought a burglar and looter by anyone.
Also when you go to pick the lock after the law is gone. You walk in all sneaky like, either A you surprise the guys inside and they blast you thinking you're trying to kill them, or B you get the drop on them and "secure" them and the animosity that instantly arises between you and them. Besides, i would say that since the doors are the most likely places to get in i'd say that those would be pretty well barricaded, and if not barricaded they would be watched intently. I say, just look through the damn windows, if there's nothing bad, then just kick the SoB down. I doubt the humans will be on 24 hour sneak alert. Besides it's not like zombies are really masters of disguise and of hiding... and if they are then were screwed anyway.

didn't see Genjus post, eh i just went a different angle

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James Stinton Permalink Reply by James Stinton on December 5, 2008 at 1:24pm
When speaking of being Discovered, I was refering to enemies in the area, not the next room =p
Obviously, it would be general procedure for ANY survivor to check the room before entering.

TheBox said:

[periodjuice]

The BOX Said: um... i guess i'll play the devils advocate but why the hell would you want to do that?
Before the law completely exits the window you're going to be thought a burglar and looter by anyone.
Also when you go to pick the lock after the law is gone. You walk in all sneaky like, either A you surprise the guys inside and they blast you thinking you're trying to kill them, or B you get the drop on them and "secure" them and the animosity that instantly arises between you and them. Besides, i would say that since the doors are the most likely places to get in i'd say that those would be pretty well barricaded, and if not barricaded they would be watched intently. I say, just look through the damn windows, if there's nothing bad, then just kick the SoB down. I doubt the humans will be on 24 hour sneak alert. Besides it's not like zombies are really masters of disguise and of hiding... and if they are then were screwed anyway.

didn't see Genjus post, eh i just went a different angle

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Autonomous Permalink Reply by Autonomous on December 5, 2008 at 4:20pm
well I wasn't planing on dieing but if do become a zombie an overly concentrated survivor trying to pick a lock would make for an excellent meal.

James Stinton said:

Genju's reasoning is sound. But depending on the location of the Door your opening, the Crowbar Raises the likelyhood of being discovered by both the autonomous dead, or other, less forgiving survivors.

The lock picking is worth looking into. If its not your thing, the Crowbar is simple enought for anyone to use =p

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James Stinton Permalink Reply by James Stinton on December 5, 2008 at 4:51pm
oh really? all your higher brain functions will be offline.
Stealth will be beyond your abilities. Enjoy your new Bloody-mass-where-a-head-was look ^-^

Autonomous said:

well I wasn't planing on dieing but if do become a zombie an overly concentrated survivor trying to pick a lock would make for an excellent meal.

James Stinton said:

Genju's reasoning is sound. But depending on the location of the Door your opening, the Crowbar Raises the likelyhood of being discovered by both the autonomous dead, or other, less forgiving survivors.

The lock picking is worth looking into. If its not your thing, the Crowbar is simple enought for anyone to use =p

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Reply by Autonomous on December 5, 2008 at 6:09pm
better bring my new friends

attached is lock picking guides

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Periodjuice Permalink Reply by Periodjuice on December 7, 2008 at 10:06pm
Delete
I'm getting a solitary survivor vibe from most these posts, if thats the case why did you join this group? surviving alone in a anywhere with a mid sized population is just going to get you killed you cannot be safe all the time what with sleeping and cooking and even shitting and all the things your body will still have to do once zombies are on the prowl, therefore you would have someone watching the door while you open the lock like another Zcorps member, I believe its called breaching by law enforcement officials and swat TEAMS, just smashing down a door or whatever would be good if you just plan on running in and taking whatever catches your eye while since you didn't save the door you cannot close it and offer yourself that much more protection while you say grab the 45 and ammo the shop keeper has under the register, or look through the food for spoilege and infestation, im quite sure nothing would be a bigger waste of time than smashing in a lock and taking food only to discover once its back to camp that you have a box filled with rats having a feast. Also the strong arm aproach wouldn't work on many doors namely reinforced steel ones, like they have at the back of every bar as well as the loading docks and noncustomer entrances of stores, the same ones that will probably not be guarded since everybody thinks they're impenetrable. I'm not suggesting that you don a cigarette, head band and empty orange box to play out some futile solid snake rendition but surely you see the sense in preserving energy and resources such as doors. Also using a bump key for automotives would be a lot simpler to start it than smashing the ingnition with a crowbar or whatever, of course I doubt this would work on 2000 and newer cars, I do know however that many older cars and especially trucks often use the same key for every model, meaning that you could make a key or even use one for say an old chevy truck with any other old chevy truck.

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GENJU Æ Permalink Reply by GENJU Æ on December 8, 2008 at 9:15am
Because 90% of the time your wife let alone a friend you made plans with will not be there by your side when Zombipalooza kicks off and I dont know if everyone else knows but there is a difference between a crowbar and a prybar (or wrecking bar as they are also known) the pic below is of a rocker head model pry bar, my pick (literally!)

This can open just bout any restaurant or store's back door no problem, I know. Its larger then a simple crow bar, excellent for bashing too

Periodjuice said:

I'm getting a solitary survivor vibe from most these posts, if thats the case why did you join this group? surviving alone in a anywhere with a mid sized population is just going to get you killed you cannot be safe all the time what with sleeping and cooking and even shitting and all the things your body will still have to do once zombies are on the prowl, therefore you would have someone watching the door while you open the lock like another Zcorps member, I believe its called breaching by law enforcement officials and swat TEAMS, just smashing down a door or whatever would be good if you just plan on running in and taking whatever catches your eye while since you didn't save the door you cannot close it and offer yourself that much more protection while you say grab the 45 and ammo the shop keeper has under the register, or look through the food for spoilege and infestation, im quite sure nothing would be a bigger waste of time than smashing in a lock and taking food only to discover once its back to camp that you have a box filled with rats having a feast. Also the strong arm aproach wouldn't work on many doors namely reinforced steel ones, like they have at the back of every bar as well as the loading docks and noncustomer entrances of stores, the same ones that will probably not be guarded since everybody thinks they're impenetrable. I'm not suggesting that you don a cigarette, head band and empty orange box to play out some futile solid snake rendition but surely you see the sense in preserving energy and resources such as doors. Also using a bump key for automotives would be a lot simpler to start it than smashing the ingnition with a crowbar or whatever, of course I doubt this would work on 2000 and newer cars, I do know however that many older cars and especially trucks often use the same key for every model, meaning that you could make a key or even use one for say an old chevy truck with any other old chevy truck.

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Gabriel Permalink Reply by Gabriel on December 8, 2008 at 9:03pm
I'll have to agree, lock picking is not a bad idea. It may have some uses. specifically for some sneaking around zeds. Of course the pry bar is a good tool too. And like all tools, pry bar or picks, they have their time and place.

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GENJU Æ Permalink Reply by GENJU Æ on December 8, 2008 at 9:35pm
Here is another multi-purpose "lockpick" lol

the TNT firefighter's tool:Sledgehammer,axe,prybar&gaffhook all in one package (AKA Denver Tool)
comes in two weights and three different lengths

[JFreeman]

This copy/paste old replies thing, whatever it is, is confusing as hell.

[hunter00181]

Yeah it is and could someone help me with the firections i'm to confused to read any more

[JFreeman]

Yeah it is and could someone help me with the firections i'm to confused to read any more

The video link a paragraph or two into the first post is very clear.

[hunter00181]

first off would a GM key work and i still can't get it do i have to measure to see where to make the ridges and file down the bigger ones and do i make alittle ridge every where i can or when theres a bump on the key just file it down a little?

[periodjuice]

I would have liked everyone to copy and paste their posts in turn that way their avatars would be on it and it would be supremely easier to follow, I could copy them I and imgsrc them in but that would take FFFFFOREVER on dialup, anyways I hope the bolding of what I believe to be every other post to be easier to follow, if so I'll do it to all these copy and pastes, perhaps do different variations such as bold, Italics, Underline, repeat. or colors, what do ya'll think?

[remo jackson]

Now that the topic of keys is brought up, we need to address the difference between looting and foraging. Using any kind of key to open a door, the reason and risk needs to be ascertained. If its a food warehouse, example a Costco type business, and the possibility of numerous quantities of edibles exists, then by all means, open that door and secure that food for the betterment of mankind. On the other hand, there would be no reason to use that same methodology on an electronics or jewelry store. Nothing within those establishments will increase your life span. The taking of non essential survival related items could be considered looting. While the taking of essential life sustaining items from abandoned buildings could be considered foraging.

The gray area is how any remaining authorities will view it.

I do agree with some previous posters that the carrying of lock pick tools can be construed as burglar tools if you are caught by law enforcement and do not have a locksmith license or legitimate reason to possess those items. Getting a locksmith permit/license (based on where you are located) is not that difficult to obtain and the age requirements for some states is only 18. It would be best for those individuals who want to practice this art, to look into internships or apprentice with locksmiths.

Here is one version of a 'Masterkey'

[zomtastic]

would be no reason to use that same methodology on an electronics or jewelry store. Nothing within those establishments will increase your life span.

I see what you mean but its not necessarily true jewelry could become valuable for barter when things start to settle down a bit and electronics are the basis of modern life although power is limited you can bet someone will have some solar panels rigged so they can keep their ipod running

I do agree with some previous posters that the carrying of lock pick tools can be construed as burglar tools if you are caught by law enforcement and do not have a locksmith license or legitimate reason to possess those items.

If you live in the States there are no laws against carrying lockpicks the authorities may be suspicious but they can't do a thing unless they have proof you used them for some illegal purpose. That said you would be foolish to carry lockpicks on your person I highly doubt you need them on a regular basis so leave them at home or at the very least in your car.

[periodjuice]

And if you're leaving them in your car you're going to put them in the glove compartment or trunk and lock it, cause I got 99 problems and a bitch aint one. Since the police need a warrent to search a glovebox or trunk that is locked unless a k9 "says" theirs drugs in them.

[weirdbeard]

Thats not necessarily true, under exigent circumstances LEA can search wherever they want. As for burglar tools you need to check your local and state laws concerning them. In the best case scenario, LEA will confiscate them and you go into a FI roster, any time there is a burglary in your area, they come visit. Not the best public persona for a group that is representing itself as being there to help the public at large.

[zomtastic]

Yes hence why I said it would be foolish to carry them even if not strictly illegal. In any case I won't be carrying any lockpicks when z-day hits, picking a lock takes quite of bit of time even if for a professional and learning how to do it well is no cake walk. If you need to get inside a building and you have time to pick the lock you probably have time to find an unlocked window (nobody locks second story windows) or find some other way in.

[autonomous]

Original posts reformatted
With future transfers separate each persons post with the "hr" tag and apply the "quote /quote" tag to any quotes. (All tags go inside square brackets [] for any one who doesn't know.)

[FlyingPony]

Bump keys.

Bump keys are keys made from a specific key for the lock you wish to open, this means you need one key for each different manufactured lock, or just carry a couple and break down or pick the ones you can't bump.

The picture should show you how to make it look and you could make one with a bench grinder and steel file, like a chainsaw sharpening file,

With a bump key you force it in very fast and turn, the points force the pins into place and your turning motion unlocks the lock, it can be accomplished very quickly and is much easier than using lock picks.

I have been reading up on bump keys and they seem pretty sick. I plan to try and make a couple of em in the near future.

[X]

Now that the topic of keys is brought up, we need to address the difference between looting and foraging. Using any kind of key to open a door, the reason and risk needs to be ascertained. If its a food warehouse, example a Costco type business, and the possibility of numerous quantities of edibles exists, then by all means, open that door and secure that food for the betterment of mankind. On the other hand, there would be no reason to use that same methodology on an electronics or jewelry store. Nothing within those establishments will increase your life span. The taking of non essential survival related items could be considered looting. While the taking of essential life sustaining items from abandoned buildings could be considered foraging.

The gray area is how any remaining authorities will view it.

I do agree with some previous posters that the carrying of lock pick tools can be construed as burglar tools if you are caught by law enforcement and do not have a locksmith license or legitimate reason to possess those items. Getting a locksmith permit/license (based on where you are located) is not that difficult to obtain and the age requirements for some states is only 18. It would be best for those individuals who want to practice this art, to look into internships or apprentice with locksmiths.

Here is one version of a 'Masterkey'

THAT is what I agree with! the masterkey... little to no experiance required!