Lock Picking An Electical Distibution Board

[Wendelspanswick]

I been asked to do some electrical work on a site with a Schneider Distibution Board, I went and had a look and the owners don't have a key to the distribution board, the original maintenance guy there left under a cloud and they suspect he took the keys with them.
I have two different Schnieder keys but neither fit, I suspect that the barrel has been changed at some stage to a cheap replacement.
I don't want to jemmy the door so I've suggested picking the lock (locker type barrel) then replacing it with genuine Schneider one.
The plan is to get a lock picking kit off of eBay and have a go, is it doable?

 

[Seadog]

A drill would be easier.

 

[Windy Miller]

ukbumpkeys.com

They hold a massive range of lock picks. Just up the road from me in Dartford.

 

[addjunkie]

Drill and a slide hammer, pull the barrel out!

 

[bigegg]

picture, please?

 

[MattH]

Hex handle flat blade screwdriver and spanner. Job done.

 

[Paul.]

Hex handle flat blade screwdriver and spanner. Job done.

This,
Opened plenty of them with my large snap on hex screwdriver, never went to a machine service without it.

 

[MoreWellie]

Hex handle flat blade screwdriver and spanner. Job done.

think I saw that one on crimewatch

 

[Ton-up]

Hex handle flat blade screwdriver and spanner. Job done.

Standard flatblade screwdriver with adjustable spanner on blade will do it too!! They are not a quality lock.

Had to do that a few weeks back to a van that was delivering to our work. Driver had apparantly been moaning about the key and his boss would not fix it. He was 200 miles from home at 4:30 pm. Got permission from his boss, whanged in screwdriver and a yank with the adjustables and van started! he drove home by starting it with a spoon!

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Hex handle flat blade screwdriver and spanner. Job done.

I've done that with the locks on rack units before and it works but it does distort the thin metal round the lock, the customer is very fussy which is why they also didn't like the idea of me drilling the lock.
The customer is paying so what I should have asked is has anyone successfully used a lock picking set on a cheap locker type lock barrel, if it takes me an hour or two it's all chargeable.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I've a set of lockpicks as it's something that I've done, as a hobby / interest, since schooldays. I doubt you'd buy a set and, unless it's something you've done before, then manage to open the lock without spending quite a bit of time "playing" first.

 

[bigegg]

just phone a locksmith - £30?
+15% for you


it's a 10s job for anyone with practice.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I've a set of lockpicks as it's something that I've done, as a hobby / interest, since schooldays. I doubt you'd buy a set and, unless it's something you've done before, then manage to open the lock without spending quite a bit of time "playing" first.

How much is quite a bit of time?
I understand the principle of picking a lock, you apply just enough pressure to side load the pins then use the pick to press the pins down individually till you feel each one reaches its location point.
I'm guessing a stubby barrel lock has 5 or 7 pins?
I don't mind practising at home for a evening, better than watching a TV (which I don't have!).

 

[Paul.]

They are quite easy to pick if you know how, I think that they only have 4 or 5 tumblers which make them easier,
This is a set I bought, but the most useful one is the one on the right that I made from a hacksaw blade, you'll need a soft tension tool as well,

 

[Anguz]

Easy if the key is single sided, harder if both sides cut

 

[bigegg]

five or six hours practice @£15 an hour?

pay a locksmith, and practice later

y'know when you see a"tradesman" pretend he can do a job he can't - and the words you use to describe him?

that will be you.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

five or six hours practice @£15 an hour?

pay a locksmith, and practice later

y'know when you see a"tradesman" pretend he can do a job he can't - and the words you use to describe him?

that will be you.

Well I will let you know how I get on .
I've ordered a set of picks and a transparent practice lock from eBay for the princely sum of £6.99!
Should be here on Thursday or Friday so I can have a play over the weekend before having ago on Monday.


(£15 an hour, your having a laugh! First hour on site is £95 + VAT then £55 + VAT per hour or part hour after).

 

[bigegg]

Well I will let you know how I get on .
I've ordered a set of picks and a transparent practice lock from eBay for the princely sum of £6.99!
Should be here on Thursday or Friday so I can have a play over the weekend before having ago on Monday.


(£15 an hour, your having a laugh! First hour on site is £95 + VAT then £55 + VAT per hour or part hour after).

ouch!

I meant *your* wage is £15 an hour.

it's a long time since I priced up a locksmithing job.
I taught myself when I was on nights-and bored.
six months before I got to the point where I was scarily good - but that was 15 years ago!

 

[Rig Pig]

I scored a locked filing cabinet to keep my stuff in at work, a Google search for keys using the lock number sorted it out without having to destroy the lock.

 

[mcostello]

Don't get stopped by John Bull with Them in the vehicle, it could get interesting.