3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (2024)

Table of Contents
Prep & Practice Ballpoint Pen Lock Pick Community Q&A Tips Warnings Things You'll Need You Might Also Like References About This Article Reader Success Stories Did this article help you?

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Co-authored byTrevor Maclise

Last Updated: July 3, 2023References

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    • |
  • Ballpoint Pen
    • |
  • Lock Pick
    • |
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
    • |
  • Things You'll Need

Tubular locks, found on many lockers and bike locks, are notoriously difficult to open without their key. But if you have the right tools and practice your technique, picking a tubular lock is possible. Whether you're learning the art of lockpicking or you need to access a locked item, you can learn to pick a tubular lock with practice. Try using a ballpoint pen to pick the lock first and, if that DIY method doesn't work, use a tubular lock pick as a backup method.[1]

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Prep & Practice

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  1. 1

    Buy a practice lock to perfect your lockpicking technique. If you're learning to pick tubular locks as part of a hobby and are mainly concerned about technique, purchasing a practice lock may come in handy before buying the real thing. Practice locks show the inside of the lock so you know exactly what you're doing as you pick it.[2]

    • If you're trying to open a specific item and don't particularly care about technique, you don't need to purchase a practice lock.

  2. 2

    Examine the lock to determine how many pins it has. Tubular locks usually have between 6-8 pins, with 7-8 being most common. How many pins the lock has influences what kind of lock pick you will need, so count and record the number before you purchase a lock pick.

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  3. 3

    Clean your lock before you pick it. Wash dirty locks with soap and warm water to remove dust or debris. If your lock is rusty, try to remove as much as you can before picking it.

    • If your lock is clean, you'll be able to pick it more easily.

  4. 4

    Slide the pick's needles back and forth. If the picking needles move easily, they will contour well to the interior of the lock and will be useful for picking. Needles that don't move as easily back and forth, however, may be dirty or rusty. Clean your pick and remove any visible rust to eliminate sticking.

    • If you've cleaned your pick and the needles still don't move easily, it may be broken.

  5. 5

    Invest in a lock pick for the easiest way. Because tubular locks are so complex, they cannot be picked in the same way as other locks. Using a lock pick is the only verified way to open a tubular lock without the key so, if you have time to spare, purchase a pick to open your tubular lock.

    • If you're in a hurry, you may be able to pick your lock with a ballpoint pen, but this method is less guaranteed than using a pick.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Ballpoint Pen

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  1. 1

    Cut off the end of a ballpoint pen with scissors. Pick a ballpoint pen with an exterior the same diameter as or slightly smaller than the lock's opening. Remove the ink tube from inside the pen, as you will be using the ballpoint pen's exterior to jimmy open the lock.[3]

  2. 2

    Cut 4 vertical notches into the back of the pen. The notches should run up and along the sides of the pen. These will keep the pen flexible as they slide into the lock.[4]

  3. 3

    Slide the pen into the lock's opening. Insert the pen as far as it will go into the lock, using pressure if needed. If the lock seems jammed and will not allow the pen to slide in, try either making the notches longer or cleaning any potential dirt or rust inside the lock.[5]

  4. 4

    Shake the lock back and forth. Hold the pen in one hand and the lock in the other and shake both from side to side until the pins loosen. If you hit all of the pins, the lock should open. Try shaking it several times—if it doesn't open after repeated attempts, you may need to use a lock pick.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Lock Pick

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  1. 1

    Make sure that your pick has the correct amount of needles for your lock. The number of needles should correspond to the pins on your lock. If your lock has 7 pins, for example, you should use a pick with 7 needles.[6]

  2. 2

    Twist the pick's tightening bolt to loosen it. The tightening bolt should be located on the side of the lock pick. When the bolt feels loose, line the pick up with the lock to make sure that the inner needles are aligned with the lock's pins. Tighten the bolt again after making adjustments when the needles and pins seem to align.

  3. 3

    Slide the pick into the lock as far as it will go. If your lock feels stuck at any point, remove it from the lock and twist the bolt loose again. You may need to re-adjust the needles before they fit smoothly into the lock.

  4. 4

    Turn the pick to the right. If your pick's needles are aligned correctly, this should trigger a spring and open the lock. Twist the pick as far to the right as it will go while pressing towards the center of the lock.

    • If the lock still won't open, try re-adjusting the tightening bolt and trying again.

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See Also
Coin Slot Piercing & Large Gauge RemovalHow to Unlock a Door With a Screwdriver | Art of Lock PickingHow to Create a Bump Key to Open Any DoorWhere Can I Do My Laundry For Free? - Low Income Relief

Community Q&A

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  • Question

    How do you pick a lock with a pen?

    3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (19)

    Drew Hawkins1

    Community Answer

    It may sound crazy, but you may actually be able to pick a tubular lock with a ballpoint pen. Use a ballpoint pen with an exterior the same diameter as or slightly smaller than the lock's opening and remove the ink tube from inside. Cut 4 vertical notches into the back of the pen that run up and along the sides of the pen so it'll be flexible it slides into the lock. Insert the pen as far as it will go into the lock, using pressure if needed. If the lock seems jammed and will not allow the pen to slide in, try either making the notches longer or cleaning any potential dirt or rust inside the lock. Hold the pen in one hand and the lock in the other and shake both from side to side until the pins loosen. If you hit all of the pins, the lock should open.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 6Helpful 10

  • Question

    Are tubular locks easy to pick?

    3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (20)

    Drew Hawkins1

    Community Answer

    No lock is super easy to pick, but you can make tubular locks easier to pick by properly preparing for it. Tubular locks usually have between 6-8 pins, with 7-8 being most common. How many pins the lock has influences what kind of lock pick you will need, so count and record the number before you purchase a lock pick. Wash dirty locks with soap and warm water to remove dust or debris. If your lock is rusty, try to remove as much as you can before picking it. If your lock is clean, you'll be able to pick it more easily. Because tubular locks are so complex, they cannot be picked in the same way as other locks. Using a lock pick is the only verified way to open a tubular lock without the key so, if you have time to spare, purchase a pick to open your tubular lock.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 4Helpful 3

  • Question

    What's the best way to pick a tubular lock?

    The best way is to use a tubular lock pick. They're complicated locks and with a tool made for the job, you can make the task a little easier. Make sure that your pick has the correct amount of needles for your lock. The number of needles should correspond to the pins on your lock. If your lock has 7 pins, for example, you should use a pick with 7 needles. Slide the pick into the lock as far as it will go. If your lock feels stuck at any point, remove it from the lock and twist the bolt loose again. You may need to re-adjust the needles before they fit smoothly into the lock. If your pick's needles are aligned correctly, this should trigger a spring and open the lock. Twist the pick as far to the right as it will go while pressing towards the center of the lock.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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    Not Helpful 6Helpful 0

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      Tips

      • Picking a tubular lock with a ballpoint pen is challenging. In most cases, you will need a lock pick to open it.

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      • Never use excessive force when picking a lock, as this can damage its inside.

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      3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (22)

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      Warnings

      • Pick locks for legal reasons only, like learning lock picking or unlocking a personal item. Lock picking for illegal activities may result in fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime.

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      Things You'll Need

      • Tubular lock pick
      • Ballpoint pen
      • Scissors

      About This Article

      3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (33)

      Co-authored by:

      Locksmith

      This article was co-authored by Trevor Maclise. Trevor Maclise is a Locksmith and the Owner of Infinity Key Locksmith in San Diego, California. Trevor has over five years of experience in the industry. He specializes in working with residential doors, including door and frame replacements, door hardware installation, multi-point locks, and mortise locks. This article has been viewed 170,137 times.

      7 votes - 100%

      Co-authors: 8

      Updated: July 3, 2023

      Views:170,137

      Categories: Lock Picking

      Article SummaryX

      Tubular locks can be difficult to pick, but with the right tools and a little practice, you can get it. The easiest way to pick a tubular lock is by using a tubular lock pick. However, you can use a ballpoint pen if you don't have one. You’ll need to cut off the end of the pen with scissors, cut 4 vertical notches in the plastic, then slide the pen into the lock's opening. Insert the pen as far as it will go, then, holding the pen in one hand and the lock in the other, shake both from side to side until the pins loosen. After shaking for a bit it should open. To learn how to use a tubular lock pick tool, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • 3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (34)

        Lavinia Davis

        Jan 11

        "Very easy due to detailed directions, thank you."

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      3 Ways to Pick a Tubular Lock - wikiHow (2024)
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