Use a Padlock Shim
Lost the key to the padlock on the shed or a locker? Before you pay a locksmith to let you in or to open something up, consider using a shim on the lock yourself. A shim is a faster alternative than picking or cracking the combination to padlocks. Padlock shims are thin pieces of metal inserted into the base of the shackle (U or n-shaped thing) that triggers the lock to think you put in the right combination or twisted the key, releasing the shackle.
Contents
Steps
- Stick the projecting bit of metal in the bottom middle of the shim into the left base of the shackle, on the inside, so the two handles of the shim should be facing outwards.
- Wiggle the shim a little bit so that it goes in completely without bending it.
- Insert a second shim, also facing outwards, into the right side of the shackle if it is a Master or more advanced lock.
- Use one fluid motion to twist the shim or shims to trigger the release mechanism. The direction does not matter.
- Listen for an audible click. If you hear it, try pulling the shackle apart from the body of the lock. If you didn’t hear it, try again.
Tips
- Padlock shims can be easily made out of aluminum soda or beer cans.
- When you open the shackle of a lock, look inside where it went to see the mechanism that you triggered.
- To be able to fit in the small space between the shackle and the body of the lock, shims have to be made out of very thin, usually Aluminum, sheet metal. That also means that each one may bend and be rendered useless after being used once.
Warnings
- Only shim a lock that you own or that you have express permission to pick. Do not use this skill for illegal purposes.
- In some jurisdictions, possession of tools for bypassing locks is a crime even if you have no criminal intent and a legitimate reason for it. Be aware of the laws in your jurisdiction.
