So, how to unlock a door with a bobby pin? Getting locked out of your room, house, or car can become frustrating, especially when you do not have a backup key. Often, you may have to search for ways to unlock the door without breaking the door or paying hefty amounts of money to the locksmith for a new key. So, knowing a crafty way to get inside can be handy in such situations.
Being locked out can generate a feeling of panic and anxiety. Hence, you must know how to get back inside even if you do not have your key. One way to open a locked door is by using the lock bumping technique. The bump keys work by bumping the lock pins and putting them into the appropriate position, which opens the lock.
However, you may not always have a bump key to do so. The easiest way is to use a bobby pin to open locks. Read on to find out how to unlock any lock with a bobby pin!
What is Lock Picking?
A regular pin tumbler lock has the following components-
- Housing- House of functional components of a lock
- Plug- Rotating cylinder where you insert a key
- Shear Line- Gap between the housing and the plug
- Key Pins- Bottom set of pins
- Driver Pins- Upper set of pins
- Springs- Pushes the pins in the plug
Many locks come with a spring latch, which requires a thin tool called a ‘loid‘ or ‘shim‘ to open. Use the shim to retract the latch by placing it between the door latch and the strike plate. Other locks require various lock picking tools to unlock. However, if you don’t have such sophisticated items, you can improvise daily items, such as bobby pins and paperclips.
Step By Step Guide to Pick a Lock With a Bobby Pin
Bobby pin is a viable option against almost any lock. You can follow these steps to pick a lock with a bobby pin.
- To open a lock with a bobby pin, bend it at a 90-degree angle and spread the wavy end apart from the other.
- Remove the rubber tip on the street side of the pin. Stick the flat side on top of the lock and fold the rest against the door knob. This folding will create another angle.
- Start bending the wavy side into a handle to have more control. This angle ensures that the lock is more accessible and comfortable. Put enough pressure on the lever counterclockwise to rotate the round barrel. Keep pressing it until there’s tension.
- Keep the rounded tip of the straight end facing upwards while picking into the lock. Keep adding pressure until you hear a click sound.
- Some pins are easy to slide, but some need resistance. Try to listen to the sound of the pin setting on the barrel. Lift all the other pins and shift towards the top of the barrel.
- Put the pin’s flat end into the lock and bend it. Fold the remaining part to make an angle, which will help to free the lock’s pins. Move the tension lever counterclockwise, which will open the door lock. Keep the end of the tension lever grabbed like a key until you see the door unlocking.
How do You Open a Locked Door With a Bobby Pin?
You may often wonder how to open a lock with one or two bobby pins. As you read further, you can understand how to unlock a door with a bobby pin.
Creating Pick and Tension Levers
Bobby pins have a rounded rubber tip on the straight ends, which you can use a knife or razor blade to remove. You will put this end into the lock to pick it.
To make a bobby pin tension wrench, put the closed end of the pin inside the keyhole for about a centimeter. Then, apply pressure in a downward direction until you see the pin bend at a 90 degrees angle.
When you stick the slightly bent end of the pin inside the lock, ensure the tip faces upward on the top portion of the keyhole. Next, try to feel the pins with your pick by pushing on the handle of choice.
To form a hook, take a separate bobby pin and bend it from the top. Next, turn the sides of this bobby pin in the same direction. Almost one-third of its length will form the hook. It will look like a coffee mug handle. The clip makes the act more comfortable for your hands.
Picking Locks
Push the bent end of your tension lever into the lock’s bottom hole. Do it such that it hangs in front of your doorknob. Maintaining tension on the lever helps to rotate the barrel, enabling you to lift each pin.
Push the lever till you feel a little tension. The lack of pressure will keep the knob locked. To finally open the door, turn the tension lever counterclockwise by grabbing its end and spinning it like you would with a key. Try to feel the pins with your pick as you push down on the handle. Most door knobs consist of five or six. Line them up in the exact position with the barrel.
There may be some seized pins that contain resistance. Push them slowly to set before the others. When all the pins reach their position, the door will unlock. You can rotate the tension lever fully if the pins are correctly set.
How to Unlock a Car Door With a Bobby Pin?
In this scenario, one bobby pin acts as a pick while another will be the lever to turn the lock. Create a tension lever by bending the sides of one bobby pin from the top in the same direction to look like a hook. The other Bobby pin will look like an L . Turn the tension lever clockwise when you insert it at the bottom of your keyhole. The appropriate amount of pressure will help you to open the car lock. Be consistent with the force you apply.
Getting the right combination can take some time. It could be troublesome to move the barrel correctly. Try putting pressure multiple times if your car has a different locking mechanism. However, this process may not work with advanced lock systems.
How to Unlock a Truck Door With a Bobby Pin?
Opening a locked truck door with a bobby pin is similar to opening a locked car door. You required two bobby pins and massive patience to carry this out. Bend the first pin into a right angle and put the vent side inside the lock.
Use the second pin to pull apart the first one while the second one moves around inside the lock. Make sure the second pin has one tip a little bent. Keep digging until you find your door opening.
How to Unlock a Bathroom Door With a Bobby Pin?
Unlocking a bathroom door with a bobby pin is similar to unlocking any other door lock.
You can put the pin into the small hole on the doorknob. When you reach the internal locking mechanism, you can turn it, unlocking the door. You can also use a flathead screwdriver for this purpose.
How to Unlock a Bedroom Door With a Bobby Pin?
If your bedroom has a deadbolt lock, you can use these methods. First, take two pins to unlock the door making one the tension lever. Next, insert this bobbin tension wrench inside the keyway and apply rotational force as you would with a key.
Maintaining tension on the plug, start scrubbing the pins inside the lock with the help of your bobby pin. This act is similar to brushing your teeth. Continue doing it with alternating angles until you feel the plug rotating and the lock opening.
Tips to Keep in Mind
Here are a few things to remember while using bobby pins to open a lock.
- Ensure that your Bobby pin is secure and not a fragile one.
- Select a Bobby pin that matches the size of your lock.
- Check the lock functions clockwise or anticlockwise.
- Be gentle if you use your nails or teeth to remove the rubber tip.
- Inspect if your lock knob has any outer covering.
- Do not apply too much pressure on the pin; otherwise, it might break inside the keyhole.
Final Words
Now that you know the whole process of opening a lock using bobby pins, you can use these ideas if you wonder how to pick a file cabinet lock with a bobby pin. If you do not have a bobby pin, you can use a metal wire as an alternative because they use the same process.
You can also use two paper clips instead of bobby pins to pick a lock. Be cautious as the thickness of the wire may push the pins and not get stuck inside.
The next time you find yourself locked out, use these tips to rescue yourself from any trouble.