I have to buy new door locks now

teweekley · 01-01-2013, 16:49

My best friend from high school was over for the new year. He showed me a $15 lock pick kit that he keeps in his wallet (I mentioned to him he probably wouldn't want to get caught with that in his pocket if he got in trouble for something). In the past, I've read about how to pick locks and how locks work in general. He loaned the set to me to try out on locks around the house. The first and only lock I tried was my front door. To my surprise, I unlocked it in under a minute!

I'm thinking to myself, "Okay, this is not cool. Time to buy newer locks." The locks on my doors are the older type with the popout knob, but are of the 5 tumbler pin type. It's time to replace them anyways.

tarpleyg · 01-01-2013, 17:00

Here's a hint...you will NOT find the type of locks you are looking for at Home Depot, Lowe's, or any of the other big box stores. Go to a locksmith or two and get some solid advice.

certifiedfunds · 01-01-2013, 17:19

I'd rather my locks get picked than my door kicked in. Locks are to keep the honest people honest.

sheriff733 · 01-01-2013, 17:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by teweekley

My best friend from high school was over for the new year. He showed me a $15 lock pick kit that he keeps in his wallet (I mentioned to him he probably wouldn't want to get caught with that in his pocket if he got in trouble for something). In the past, I've read about how to pick locks and how locks work in general. He loaned the set to me to try out on locks around the house. The first and only lock I tried was my front door. To my surprise, I unlocked it in under a minute!

I'm thinking to myself, "Okay, this is not cool. Time to buy newer locks." The locks on my doors are the older type with the popout knob, but are of the 5 tumbler pin type. It's time to replace them anyways.

Know the brand or model number of the kit?

I'd like to try my hand at it.

ChuteTheMall · 01-01-2013, 17:24

Medeco locks, made in Virginia (a proud right to work state).

***crnama*** · 01-01-2013, 17:46

Good luck finding a lock you can't pick. Even the Medeco locks can be picked just go to youtube and you can see it being done. When we moved into our new house I wanted to get some good locks for the doors and reinforce the door jambs. Like others said locks are there only to slow someone down if they want in they will get in it is only a matter of time.

*ASH* · 01-01-2013, 17:49

replace the doors , locks dont mean squat , get a high security reinforced door with pins .

costly thou

The Fed · 01-01-2013, 17:53

You guys are way behind the times. Never heard of bump keys?

Bump Key HOWTO - YouTube

Gunny Lingus · 01-01-2013, 17:59

Read up on lock bumping and bump key before you buy. It's a technique that picks a lock very quickly.

The Fed · 01-01-2013, 18:06

Here's a better explanation for those who don't know how works work. My brother was a locksmith and I play around with locks when necessary.

Pick a Lock in SECONDS with a Bump Key - Scam School - YouTube

Huaco Kid · 01-01-2013, 18:40

I had a neighbor that bought a very, very expensive front and rear door with top of the line locks. For the safety of his family.

He seemed to not realize that his front door had a foot-wide piece of glass, floor to ceiling, on each side of it.

>> He was the same guy, after he bought the doors, that I bet I could get into his house in two minutes, without using tools (or breaking his front door glass).

He accepted the bet until he found out that I was going to pull down some vinyl siding, move some fluffy insulation out of the way and push through the drywall into his kitchen. >>

wrenrj1 · 01-01-2013, 18:48

That's why I have these big plywood things hanging inside and above every door with big spikes that swing down when the door is opened. Overkill? I think not. Come on in mister handy key man...

-Jack Handy (not).

teweekley · 01-01-2013, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheriff733

Know the brand or model number of the kit?

I'd like to try my hand at it.

Sorry, can't help you with the brand or model. My buddy said he bought it online for $15. Here's a picture of it if you want to search it out. It's the size of a credit card and about as thick as three stacked cards.

teweekley · 01-01-2013, 19:42

Here's two sources I found for the kit:

http://dx.com/p/credit-card-lock-pic...iece-set-36264

http://www.trueswords.com/credit-car...se-p-5947.html

NorthernAlpine · 01-01-2013, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by crnama

Good luck finding a lock you can't pick. Even the Medeco locks can be picked just go to youtube and you can see it being done. When we moved into our new house I wanted to get some good locks for the doors and reinforce the door jambs. Like others said locks are there only to slow someone down if they want in they will get in it is only a matter of time.

The # of people who can actually pick a Medeco is absurdly small, despite what Youtube would have you believe. They are more expensive but work only as well as your door is solid.

Call a locksmith and ask him if he carries modified/anti-pick pins for your brand of locks you currently have installed. You can keep the same locks, same keys, and just have 2-3 new pins installed on your doors. Should save you enough to buy door reinforcement kits for your doors.

The reality is though, is entry to your house via a broken window just as easy? If someone wants to get in, they're going to get in.

cowboywannabe · 01-01-2013, 19:49

get an alarm that has a battery and cell phoen back up....

certifiedfunds · 01-01-2013, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huaco Kid

I had a neighbor that bought a very, very expensive front and rear door with top of the line locks. For the safety of his family.

He seemed to not realize that his front door had a foot-wide piece of glass, floor to ceiling, on each side of it.

>> He was the same guy, after he bought the doors, that I bet I could get into his house in two minutes, without using tools (or breaking his front door glass).

He accepted the bet until he found out that I was going to pull down some vinyl siding, move some fluffy insulation out of the way and push through the drywall into his kitchen. >>

You have completely ignored the romex barrier at knee level

G17Jake · 01-01-2013, 20:48

At the last apartment I lived in, a woman from an apartment upstairs from me asked to use my phone because she was locked out.

I asked her if she locked the deadbolt. She said no, just the lock in the doorknob. I told her she didn't need a key.

We went upstairs to her door, and with a credit card I opened her door probably faster than she could have with the key.

I told her I always lock the deadbolt and recommended she does too. She agreed.

boone10 · 01-01-2013, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by teweekley

My best friend from high school was over for the new year. He showed me a $15 lock pick kit that he keeps in his wallet (I mentioned to him he probably wouldn't want to get caught with that in his pocket if he got in trouble for something). In the past, I've read about how to pick locks and how locks work in general. He loaned the set to me to try out on locks around the house. The first and only lock I tried was my front door. To my surprise, I unlocked it in under a minute!

I'm thinking to myself, "Okay, this is not cool. Time to buy newer locks." The locks on my doors are the older type with the popout knob, but are of the 5 tumbler pin type. It's time to replace them anyways.

Why would somebody have such a kit on them at all times? That just screams CRIMINAL!

Kevin108 · 01-01-2013, 20:56

It's pointless to spend a ton of money on door locks without addressing the strength of every penetration in your structure: doors, windows, gable end vents, skylights, etc.

Any average-sized person could kick in the typical residential door, even with a deadbolt, if they know where to focus the pressure. You're not going to keep people out.

The best you can do is secure the most important stuff inside. Rather than hardening every entry point, you'll save tens of thousands of dollars just buying a decent safe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boone10

Why would somebody have such a kit on them at all times? That just screams CRIMINAL!

I have such a kit with me almost all the time. I'm in building maintenance, on-call every 6 weeks and since I live in the same small city in which I work, I'm often called in out of convenience. Like guns, lock picks are just tools. How they are used is up to the owner.

***TKM*** · 01-01-2013, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by boone10

Why would somebody have such a kit on them at all times? That just screams CRIMINAL!

I used to get locked in security buildings on occasion.

Getting out can be more important than getting in.

I spit at Master Locks.

http://deviating.net/lockpicking/resources.html

wlkjr · 01-01-2013, 21:05

I've installed these on several of my customers doors.
http://prime-line-products.com/home4...&cItem=U+10826
Can't be used when leaving but gives good security when at home.

Adjuster · 01-01-2013, 21:11

I used to have access to a gun similar to this one. It worked every time and was very simple to use. It required no special skills or practice. Just stick the pin in the lock and start pulling the trigger. The one I was using appeared to be an antique. It was found in the garage of a house my friends father purchased. It was probably worth some money. It was a full kit in a box with instruction manual that appeared to be maybe from the 1950's by the artwork on the box and the printed manual. No one knew what it was or bothered with it thinking it would require some great locksmithing skill. I read the directions and was opening locks in an hour. Opened several doors for locked out neighbors in the area.

http://dx.com/p/manual-pick-gun-5-pi...=36264&u=17606

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mixflip · 01-01-2013, 21:12

I have a security door but sadly have a huge sliding glass door not far from it. So I just tell myself... always be prepared to deal with a home invader regardless of our steel security door.

captainstormy · 01-01-2013, 22:41

Most theives wouldn't even try to pick your lock. someone broke into my neighbors house while I was watching TV one afternoon. Took them one good shoulder check and they were in.

By the time I thought "What was that noise", sat down my soda, muted my TV and and walked over to look out the window they were jumping in their car with around $2K in jewelry and cash in their pockets.