Making  bypass tools

Introduction.

Many padlocks are of inferior design and the lock mechanism easily bypassed to open the lock.  Here is a selection of typical bypass ideas.

Padlock shims.

Commercial padlock shims are available, made of spring steel.  They rely on large manufacturing tolerances that leave a small gap between the hasp and the lock body, into which a thin shim can be inserted to push the bolt out of the detents in the hasp. It should be noted that some padlocks have a detent on both ends of the hasp, and therefore two shims would be required. They will not work on all locks, but on those that they do, they offer a very quick way of bypassing the lock mechanism.

HPC padlock shims.

You can make your own shims and the following videos explain the details .....

Beer can padlock shims. Part 1 

Beer can padlock shims. Part 2

Combination lock shim for the Master Padlock.

Bypassing the Master combination padlock with a shim. The video explains it all. A wonderful chance to make yet another shim tool with all that spring steel. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGCQpGHRmEk

While you are at it make a Peterson style tool for decoding combination locks, of the type used on brief cases etc. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX1B_T-WqaI

The "American" lock bypass tool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJlvclnFhGI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqwHyUnAVOs

Warded lock bypass keys.

These rely on the fact that lots of warded padlocks have only one active wafer at the back of the lock and rely on several wards to give the lock some measure of 'security'. These keys ignore the wards and manipulate only the back one or two wafers. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_VslJqlZJ4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm2uw3_QSrg

Bypass awl tool. 

Most easily made from a windscreen wiper steel blade. A sharp pint is required on the end, particularly for direct manipulation of the bolt. Works best if fitted with a handle to increase purchase.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNkVAslcw0M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otkQzKN72Gg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjGtoKgIm9A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64L3_vVfszk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRzgF-DExgg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEfKMuf5LcA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxg-8N10UhU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trEoTv5xEb8

Mortise lock key turners.

Where do you leave the key for your back door ? .  Perhaps it is time to change ones habits ?. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6DNVvK-OBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5F-zNI9Y9M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii3dwrbzazQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ADlZV-tWw4

Euro Thumb turn lock bypass.

Works on some Euro locks, but lock manufacturers are now wise to this and have started removing the groove that used to make this possible. In reality it will work on many old locks that are still installed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4r8Tzwg71U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4RAlVGTNDE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckd4AylFUzM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A45nEW0DWwA

Comb bypass tools.

Although often described a a comb pick, it is actually a bypass tool. It works by pushing all pins into the lock body, allowing the plug to turn and the lock to open. It works OK on those locks that have a large enough keyway to allow the comb to enter. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmkgvC8q2V0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5-hC2oBQG4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9N4n6T7X8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFnbCiRAfto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYf8XSaE3-w

Filing cabinet lock Jimmy

Take a windscreen wiper steel blade (2.5mm wide)  and grind one end at an angle of  about 30 degrees.  The tip should look something like this ...

Slide the jimmy to the back of the lock keyway,  Press the jimmy against the bolt and force the bolt downward against the return spring and the lock will open. Also master filing cabinet keys can be purchased that will open 95% of filing cabinet locks.

To be continued