Lock Picking: Either you love it or hate it

It really is that simple...so long as you stop buying lock-sets from Home Depot. Several internet sellers offer lock-sets cut to a specific key-code. So long as they stock those lock-sets on that key-code, you can buy as many as you would like at anytime in the future.

I bought a box of 50 keyed-alike lock-sets about 20 years ago. I just swap them in and out of games as them come and go from my collection.

I'm sure someone on KLOV can point you to the best website to buy them.

Chips4sle sells them, great guy.
 
If you run out of locks, just put a generic key code on the bottom lock that nobody ever uses, and hang the keys for it inside the top door that has your normal keyed lock on it.

BOOM I JUST DOUBLED ALL YOUR LOCKS CUZ IM A GEEENUS
 
Wow. I watched the youtube videos on the Medeco too. They made it look easy, but it was impossible for me, and I've been a hobbyist lock picker for awhile. When I finally drilled it out, the pins were the mushroom shaped ones, and it had security pins in it for false positives.

i got lucky with my payphone. didnt come with keys, but the lock was a MEDECO, not easy
to pick, but after watching some YT videos and 20-30 minutes of time, i picked it open!
 
I bought a game from this locksmith I know. He didn't have the keys for it but it took him less than 30 seconds to pick it. He's kinda obsessive about that kinda stuff so he probably practiced a lot :D
 
Over the years of collecting, you get a bunch of random locks with no keys, and find random keys with no locks. Find two that fit together, file the pins flush with the cylinder, and you have a free key/lock set.

LPT for the super cheap :)
 
re: lockpicking - I'd like to get some tools and try, but I hear that in VA possession of such tools (without license?) is basically evidence of intent to commit a crime.
 
Over the years of collecting, you get a bunch of random locks with no keys, and find random keys with no locks. Find two that fit together, file the pins flush with the cylinder, and you have a free key/lock set.

LPT for the super cheap :)

Or just yank the pins that stick out. All you need is a pin or two left for the lock to still work.
 
Most of the locks you find on games are simple one-sided. Last one I picked took me about 20 seconds. And no, I am not a pro at this. It really is that easy. Even if it took you 5 or 10 minutes, that's still faster than drilling (and cleaning up the mess you make). And, as already mentioned, you can re-use the lock (even if you don't find the key inside).
 
Most of the locks you find on games are simple one-sided. Last one I picked took me about 20 seconds. And no, I am not a pro at this. It really is that easy. Even if it took you 5 or 10 minutes, that's still faster than drilling (and cleaning up the mess you make). And, as already mentioned, you can re-use the lock (even if you don't find the key inside).

One of my friends is good at picking locks, he's got something called a 'jiggler' or something like that, you can stick it in the lock, jiggle it a little bit and it opens, takes like 3 seconds on the simple locks.
 
One of my friends is good at picking locks, he's got something called a 'jiggler' or something like that, you can stick it in the lock, jiggle it a little bit and it opens, takes like 3 seconds on the simple locks.

Yeah, jigglers are often used on auto locks. I don't own any, but the technique used on simple locks is very similar... you just rake the pins until they catch. Doesn't take any finesse. You can teach a monkey to do it. Give the same monkey a drill and he's likely to F your coin door up.... :D
 
Most of the locks you find on games are simple one-sided. Last one I picked took me about 20 seconds. And no, I am not a pro at this. It really is that easy. Even if it took you 5 or 10 minutes, that's still faster than drilling (and cleaning up the mess you make). And, as already mentioned, you can re-use the lock (even if you don't find the key inside).

I agree. Most cam locks are stupid easy to pick, even if you don't rake. I single pin picked my Cheyenne back door lock (no key was included) in about 20 seconds. In most cases, it takes me less time to pick than drill. A few exceptions are double sided locks which take a little longer. Most single sided cam locks only have 4 or 5 pins with no false sets and take under 30 seconds to pick. They can be rocked, racked, or even single pinned very quickly.

Picking locks also comes in handy when you run the risk of damaging the area around it. For example, my girlfriend's Twilight Zone pinball didn't have the key to the backbox and the space was too tight to fit a drill easily without risking damaging the glass. It took a little longer than normal (mostly because the lock is upside down and I had to single pin pick it), but I was able to pick it without too much fuss.

I admit that I enjoy picking locks. They're like puzzles and gratifying when I successfully pick one. With a little practice, the benefits will far outweigh those of drilling. But it's not for everyone and there are always exceptions.
 
A long time ago, a sketchy buddy of mine made me a set of picks out of two big nails. He smashed both of them flat with a hammer, and one was bent into an "L" shape. The other remained straight and had a slightly hooked end.

You kept side pressure on the lock with the L shaped nail and pressed the hook shaped one down into the notches where the shaped end of the key would go. After a summer of using these, we could get in a typical barrel lock almost as fast as someone using a key. This was pre-internet kid knowledge and I'd love to just see and try the things again.
 
re: lockpicking - I'd like to get some tools and try, but I hear that in VA possession of such tools (without license?) is basically evidence of intent to commit a crime.

Yeah, looks like one of the few places where you might get in trouble:

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Of course, if you made your own out of paperclips or nails (like TOK) it may be tough for the authorities to prove what they are.
 
I own a decent lock pick set (from SouthOrd), but just for giggles I decided to see how hard it would be to make a simple tension tool and hook pick. So I took a couple large paper clips, and with my vise, pliers, and a hammer, I fashioned these in under 5 minutes:

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Then I took them over to my Berzerk coin door, which has your typical "Fort Lock" from Chicago Illinois, and went to work. Had it open in under a minute. No fancy single-pin picking... just raked it like an ape. Would have had it done in less time, but my tension bar kinda sucked (not wide enough, so it took some time to get it situated right).
I'm telling you guys, it's so easy... you have to give it a try.
 

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I've picked several single-bitted locks for games I've bought. The most recent was a Rowe CD-51 juke, $75 cash and carry, $8.75 in the bin once I picked the lock.

Never had much luck with the double-bitted cylinders, though, and don't have the tools for tubular locks. I always give it a shot before hauling out the drill, though.
 
I own a decent lock pick set (from SouthOrd), but just for giggles I decided to see how hard it would be to make a simple tension tool and hook pick. So I took a couple large paper clips, and with my vise, pliers, and a hammer, I fashioned these in under 5 minutes:

Thats really similar to what my buddy made, he just used 6 penny nails instead of paper clips. I'm going to try and make another set when I have some time.
 
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