Do you want to learn how to pick locks? In this guide, we share with you an e-book guide to lock-picking.
Free Books to Learn Lock Picking
Here’s a list of free books / guides to learn lock-picking.
- The MIT Guide to Lock Picking
- CIA Lock Picking Field Operative Training Manual
The MIT Guide to Lock Picking is one of the most recommended reference guides for locksmith aspirants. The second one isn’t just a hoax either.
Interestingly, this locksmith reference guide book is not readily available in physical form. However, this nifty guide is licensed for free distribution as long as it is for educational purposes.
The theory of lock picking is the theory of exploiting mechanical defects. There are a few basic concepts and definitions but the bulk of the material consists of tricks for opening locks with particular defects or characteristics.
Learn Lockpicking for Fun!
The MIT Guide to Lock Picking guide book /manual includes an introduction to the vocabulary and general information about locks and lock picking. The lock picking guide for beginners also includes a set of exercises to practicing the theory of picking locks. Master the lessons and you will be skilled in the art of lock picking.
That’s not all. The locksmith guide also has a catalog of the mechanical traits and defects found in locks. You can learn how the techniques to identify the defects and exploit them. It also has an appendix on how to make lock picking tools from commonly available items.
Here’s a look at the chapters of the book for learning a basic locksmith task.
- 1. It’s Easy
- 2. How a Key Opens a Lock
- 3. The Flatland Model
- 4. Basic Picking & The Binding Defect
- 5. The Pin Column Model
- 6. Basic Scrubbing
- 7. Advanced Lock Picking
- 7.1. Mechanical Skills
- 7.2. Zen and the Art of Lock Picking
- 7.3. Analytic Thinking
- 8. Exercises
- 8.1. Exercise 1: Bouncing the pick
- 8.2. Exercise 2: Picking pressure
- 8.3. Exercise 3: Picking Torque
- 8.4. Exercise 4: Identifying Set Pins
- 8.5. Exercise 5: Projection
- 9. Recognizing and Exploiting Personality Traits
- 9.1. Which Way To Turn
- 9.2. How Far to Turn
- 9.3. Gravity
- 9.4. Pins Not Setting
- 9.5. Elastic Deformation
- 9.6. Loose Plug
- 9.7. Pin Diameter
- 9.8. Beveled Holes and Rounded pins
- 9.9. Mushroom Driver Pins
- 9.10. Master Keys
- 9.11. Driver or Spacer Enters Keyway
- 9.12. Vibration Picking
- 9.13. Disk Tumblers
- 10. Final Remarks
- A. Tools
- A.1. Pick Shapesy
- A.2. Street cleaner bristles
- A.3. Bicycle spokes
- A.4. Brick Strap
- B Legal Issues
How to Download the MIT Guide to Lock Picking?
Normally, making unauthorized copies of any book isn’t legal (except when it’s done by a library for its own use). However, you can distribute the MIT Guide to Lock-picking, provided it is not for commercial benefit.
This is a verbatim reproduction from the book by Theodore T. Tool.
Copyright 1987, 1991 Theodore T. Tool. All rights reserved.
Permission to reproduce this document on a non-profit basis is granted provided that this copyright and distribution notice is included in full. The information in this booklet is provided for educational purposes only.
August 1991 revision.
Based on the above permission being part of the book, you can share and download copied of the PDF for the MIT Guide to Lock Picking. It isn’t the modern day lockpicking for dummies, but the concise PDF booklet is a good start for those looking to start as a locksmith.
You can also download the PDF from Archive.org
The MIT Guide doesn’t have much images, and cannot be termed a visual guide to lock picking. However, it is illustrated with explainer diagrams to help you learn locksmith lock-picking concept easily.
Download the MIT lock-picking guide and learn how to make lock picking tools with this practical e-book / PDF.