Technically speaking, unlocking doors is a hell of a job as it requires patience and consistency to get the door opened.
However, opening the door from the outside using a keyhole can be done in multiple ways. It is quite a different job when it comes to twisting locks.
Twist lock maintenance and installation are quite different from the traditional round doorknobs. It consists of a lever, and the lock mechanism is hidden inside the long-elongated body of the door handle.
The lock mechanism of twist locks is slightly different from round doorknobs. We will look into various methods of unlocking twist locks. First of all, determine what type of lock you are dealing with to be very precise.
This will filter your options of how you should be dealing with such locks.
-
Use a Bobby Pin
A bobby pin does more than just used doer hair styling. These nifty little pins can be molded into any shape you want with a bit of force and the use of tools.
Let us go through different steps of how to use the bobby pin:
Step 1: Straighten the bobby pin and remove all the curves.
Step 2: Insert the bobby pin in the keyhole straightened and insert it in the lock mechanism.
Step 3: Try wiggling the bobby pin that fits in the lock mechanism.
Step 4: Twist the knob or the lever that it adjusts while wiggling the bobby pin.
Step 5: When you feel that the knob is in a rotatable position, remove the bobby pin, and voila!
-
The Paper Clip Technique
Like using a bobby pin, the door locks can be unlocked using a plain old paper clip.
The round paper clip structure can be straightened into a straight pin structure. Let us see how this is done:
Step 1: Straighten the paper clip into a pin-like structure.
Step 2: You can keep one end of the pin curved. In case you don’t want to use the whole length of the pin depending on the structure of the lock mechanism.
Step 3: Try wiggling the lock and twist the doorknob and lever at the same time.
Step 4: Push the clip into the hole and run it around in the knob like you are trying to find something. Keep moving the clip around inside the knob until you hit the locking mechanism in the knob.
-
Screw Driver Technique
This method can be used when bobby pin and paper clip fail. This is used for doors with a lower security level. The tools you will require are a screwdriver set.
Make sure you choose a thin and small screwdriver. We all have a toolbox with the essentials lying in the house.
This is the most efficient and cost-effective method after using bobby pins and paper clips. Here is how you will do it:
Step 1: Insert the screwdriver in the keyhole.
Step 2: Try moving the screwdriver as you are trying to fix it in the lock mechanism.
Step 3: Once the screwdriver is set in the lock, try moving the clip and twist the doorknob as the lock unclicks.
Step 4: Do not use a broader face screwdriver, as it can damage the lock mechanism.
-
Remove The Door Knobs
There is an alternative way of unlocking a locked bathroom door. This, however, is a low-security level, and it requires removing and dismantling the lock.
This would require you to strategically disassemble the lock from the door. A few handles have clear mounting screws present.
However, they, for the most part, require a Phillips head screwdriver. Here is how this is done:
Step 1: Before removing the doorknobs, there are series of parts that need to be removed before removing the doorknob or twist-lock from the door.
Step 2: Remove parts like rose, shanks before removing the mounting screws.
Step 3: Try inserting the flat head screwdriver in the slit of the knob and gently tilt the screwdriver so that the mount comes off.
Step 4: Unlock the door lock and assemble the lock in position.
Do not forget to put in the mounting screw before placing the shank.
-
The Wire Coat Hanger Technique
This technique would be more of a test of your patience and wit. You would, for starters, mold the hanger into the shape of a long handle with a look at its tail end. Then, push the hook between the jamb and the door edge.
You’ll be able to peg the latch bolt, after which you will pull the hanger towards yourself. With your other hand, keep turning the knob while you pull the hanger towards your direction.
Let us have a look at how this will be done:
Step 1: Is to bend the hanger, making it a hook with a long handle. Secondly, place the hook in the gap between the jamb and corner of the door. Your goal is to hook the latch bolt around.
Step 2: Hold the hanger with one hand and the doorknob with the other. Apply some turning force in the direction that the knob will turn if it was unlocked.
-
The Credit Card Technique
When you have tried all the soft techniques that did not require the use of tools, your easier access should be using any plastic card the size of a credit card.
You can use gift cards, loyalty cards, debit, or credit cards. Any plastic card, for that matter, should be of durable quality and resembling these sizes.
These are the steps you will have to follow while unlocking the door using a plastic card:
Step 1: The door lock has a latch bolt with an angles surface facing you. So, the card technique can be very useful here.
Step 2: Insert the card in the door’s jamb, where you will find the latch.
Step 3: Move the card in a motion that fixates on the angled surface of the latch bolt.
Step 4: Move the card, and it pushes the latch, and the door unlocks itself.
You should use a non-reusable card instead of using a credit card or debit card. The strip could be damaged hence can render the case unusable.
-
Pick The Lock Technique
You should know that alone picking the lock using Bobby Pins and Paper clips. You should know that we can always use the paper clip and bobby pin combination.
The lock mechanism doesn’t only work by using a single bobby pin and paper clip. This is a smart combination for picking the lock.
However, if paper clips and bobby pins do not work out. You can use the most effective piece of tool, ‘Lock Picking Set.’ You can get handy and affordable lock picking sets from the nearest departmental stores or hardware supply stores.
This is the most convenient way when you can access or reach out to the nearest locksmith.
A traditional pick set. From left to right: torsion wrench, “twist-flex” torsion wrench, offset diamond pick, ball pick, half-diamond pick, short hook, medium hook, saw (or “L”) rake, snake (or “C”) rake.
It is cool, and it is fun, plus you get over the illusion of security. Let us look at few step-by-step guides to see how to pick a lock:
Step 1: looking at the picture generally explains the keyhole structure.
Step 2: Insert a Tension wrench at the bottom of the keyhole and apply gentle pressure. The key plug moves, and the plug is easier to open the lock by twisting the knob.
Step 3: If you apply too much tension in the wrong direction, this could end up damaging the lock. This is where we use the other method that is; Bogota Rack. It has a three-rigged structure that helps in picking the lock much easier.
Step 4: Try practicing continuously so that it helps you master the lock picking technique.
You don’t have to worry about the legality of lock picking as long as it is the premises of your own house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are picking locks different for twist locks and doorknobs?
Picking locks vary due to differences in the lock mechanism. It is important to understand which method will be most suited while picking the lock.
I am locked out of my house. How can I open the door by using the basic supplies I have at hand?
You can unlock your door with the most basic supply you might have with you is your plastic card. For me, it is debit or credit cards.
The best way of unlocking the door using a plastic card is by slipping the card on the latch bolt and unlocking it as it slips through it.
What if none of these hack’s work and I do not have my hands on a lock picking set?
When none of those above hacks work, you should try to reach out to a locksmith. Because this is the work of a professional, and this can’t be done without their expertise.
How does the lock picking set work?
Different tools help in unlocking locks through different combinations. You can choose how to unlock, depending on the type of lock mechanism.
How do I open a locked door that has a small hole in the doorknob?
The most suitable way of unlocking a doorknob with small holes is by using a lock picking set.
Read Also
Leave a Reply