because my flist knows everything...

[jadesfire]

...does anyone know how to pick a lock? Like a small one, on a desk drawer.

This request comes from my manager...

Comments

[dyddgu.livejournal.com]

Swift prayer to Anoia?
Failing that, hairgrip?

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Hadn't thought of the praying *grin*

It's a really odd shaped lock/key (that is, if we had the key, it would be an odd shape. we also wouldn't need to pick the lock...), one of those old ones with kind of pin at the top that the key slides onto. I've tried my kirby grip and various sizes of unbent paperclips, but nothing so far. I've also given up on the basis that the drawer is at the back of the desk - why do we need it to open anyway? My boss seems to think it's important, but on the basis that it doesn't smell funny and isn't big enough for a dead body, I'm inclined to leave it.

[knirirr.livejournal.com]

dyddgu suggests that I post my suggestion of screwdriver, crowbar, axe or shotgun, depending on the lock. This is based upon Murphy's principle of "if it jams, force it. If t breaks, it needed replacing anyway."

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Given the large claw hammer that he was holding as I left, I think my boss may have had the same thought...

I like the shotgun idea, but only if I'm allowed to keep it for future annoyances as a souvenir.

[knirirr.livejournal.com]

Shotguns are apparently most useful (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_slug) for door opening.
Unfortunately mine is a bit old fashioned.

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

Depends on the lock, really...

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Small. Strangely shaped. Refusing to yield when I prod it with paperclip...

[dune-drd.livejournal.com]

It may sound brutal, but my best results came out of ramming a letter opener into these things and try to rotate the lock forcefully...

[entangled-now.livejournal.com]

Small ones in desk drawers usually have a couple of pieces of the lock inside which will need to be carefully pushed back out of the way before you can turn it with a nail and pull the drawer open.

I've done this to a fairly easy lock with needles.

*is not a criminal*

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

You know, I've had a far swifter response to this than I get to most of my posts...I'm starting to worry about you lot ;)

What needs to be pushed back where? It's a rather old desk but quite a sturdy lock, one of the old-fashioned kind with a pin that the barrel of the key slots onto. I've been trying to trip the tumblers with a sturdy paperclip, but it's not working so far.

I'm so going to have to google for 'lock picking'...

[entangled-now.livejournal.com]

We're all master criminals really, and it's only now that our secret talents have been exposed!

Well the one we had was like a mini-Yale where you had to push the little bits of metal that catch 'up' out of the way. Then there's the rolling ones where they go 'sideways,' the one you have sounds old so... *unhelpful bewildered face*

Normally I just poke about until something moves!

Lol, you should and see if there are any helpful 'how-to' guides. I bet there are.

[laurab1.livejournal.com]

*is severely disappointed in your flist*

Can't you ask Jack or the Doctor to sonic it?

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*giggle* It's almost worth suggesting that to my boss just to see his face...

[azure-chaos.livejournal.com]

If i were there i could probably do it, but describing is harder lol. It's been a while since i utilised that particular skill but i believe somethings stay with you. It's hard to say without seeing the lock either. Sounds like the crowbar is your best option if it doesn't matter about damaging the desk.

nate

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

I think my boss has given up. It just amused me that it should be something we could ask people about at interview...

you never know when these things come in handy :)

[azure-chaos.livejournal.com]

lmao.

Interviewer: "And one final question, how are your lock picking skills?"

Interviewee: "errrr, is this a trick question?"

lol. What kind of drawer is it? Is it possible to go in underneath the desk and get to it that way? will the lock come out with a screwdriver? Is there actually anything in there? lol... y'know curious minds now want to know. lol.

nate

[azure-chaos.livejournal.com]

my other suggestion is a drill...but i'm a man and power tools are obligatory lol.

[enzo_the_rhino]

It just so happens that I saw a website about picking locks the other day.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/lock-picking.htm

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Just so happens? I'm starting to worry about you lot... ;)

[rivers-bend.livejournal.com]

do I understand correctly that it is unknown if there is anything even in the drawer? did you try just saying, "Curiosity killed the desk," and telling your boss he clearly doesn't have enough to do and should help you with the cataloguing? :D

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

When I went back, there was no desk... He'd obviously given up and taken a hammer to it.

And no, as far as I could tell, it wasn't even a proper drawer. Just a weird flappy thing on the back of the desk. It was one of these weird desks that seems to have been designed for use from either side.

I never did ask him if there was anything in it!

[crystalshard.livejournal.com]

I realise that this is far too late, but did you try using two paperclips? That usually works for me.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*raises eyebrow* Usually? I'm not going to ask...

It wasn't a yale lock, and it wasn't quite a mortis. It was very old and, I think, very jammed. The hammer probably did the trick in the end :)

[crystalshard.livejournal.com]

*cough* I'm saying nothing any more incriminating than I've had things lock up on me before.

At least the lock got opened in the end.