How do lock picks work?

Answer 1

This is too complicated to give a short answer without diagrams. Check out this: http://www.lysator.liu.se/mit-guide/mit-guide.html

The mechanics are these: you put some sideways tension on the lock with a torque wrench, which is just a thin flat piece of metal that fits inside the lock and you can twist a bit. You insert a lock pick, which is a thin round piece of steel with a hook or a triangle on the end. You feel for the pins and push them up into the lock cylinder. One by one, they will get caught in the space between the lock cylinder and the casing. When they are all caught, the lock will turn open.

Answer 2

The best description I've seen comes from the MIT Guide to Lockpicking - a pretty good mechanical depiction of what goes on.

Basic premise is that there's a number of sliding parts in the lock that the ridges on the key depress a certain amount. When these things are in the correct position, the bolt can turn. The picks simply "fill in" for the key, moving those sliding parts.

That said, I second the above recommendation to check local laws before buying/using them. Cops have a tendency to get cranky upon seeing them.

Answer 3

Thinking of breaking into someones home??.

Depending on what country you reside in "lock picking tools are against the law to have in your possession.

Your question really does not belong on computer security. (Law enforcement is a good place to start).

Minddoctor, France