Your Guide to Pin Tumbler Locks: Everything You Need to Know

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Pin tumbler locks make the backbone of the locks industry that we know of today.  It is estimated that 90% of all the locks used are pin tumbler locks. Therefore when its use is so prevalent, it becomes important to understand what are its components, how they come all together to work and what are some of the vulnerabilities. 

This information will be useful for (end) users as well as beginner lockpickers as the understanding will help them immensely in their lock-picking journey.

In this tell all guide, we are going to dissect a pin tumbler lock to look at its different parts and how they all work together. We will then take a look at different types of pin tumbler locks. We will wrap up the article by understanding the vulnerabilities that result in them being picked with household items as well. 

What is a Pin Tumbler Lock?

A pin tumbler lock (also known as Yale lock, named after its inventor) is a common lock mechanism that works on the principle of obstructing the sheer line. This is done by employing a set of pins with varying lengths. 

In the rest position, the pins obstruct the sheer line that doesn’t allow the plug to rotate freely thereby locking the lock. When the pins are aligned with the sheer line (with the help of the correct key), the plug is free to rotate thereby unlocking the lock. 

History of Pin-Tumbler Locks

The story of pin tumbler locks is a long and interesting journey that goes back thousands of years, showing how locks and security have changed over time. It all started way back in 2000 BC in Egypt. At first, locks were simple, made of wood, and used wooden pins. Obviously they weren’t super secure, but they were the first step toward better locks.

But the big change came in the 1800s, thanks to an American inventor named Linus Yale Sr. He created what we now call the “Yale Lock” in 1848. This lock used a cylindrical plug, a set of pins, and a unique, flat key with notches that matched the pin heights. This design became the basis for most of the locks we use today.

The 19th century’s industrial revolution saw a significant increase in the production and use of pin-tumbler locks. As manufacturing techniques improved, these locks became more affordable and accessible to a broader range of consumers.

Parts of a Pin Tumbler Lock 

To understand how a pin tumbler lock works, you need to know about its parts. This part of the article will give you a detailed look at the important pieces that make up a pin tumbler lock.

1. The Cylinder: 

Cylinder, also known as the shell or housing, serves as the protective outer casing for the lock. It contains all the essential parts of the lock and remains stationary. 

You would typically find the cylinder fixed inside a door knob or a padlock. Replacing the cylinder is one of the most effective ways to rekey a lock. 

2. The Plug: 

The plug resides inside the cylinder and is at the core of a pin tumbler lock. It can spin around thus creating a rotational sheer line, which is important for the lock to work. 

The front of the plug is where you put your key, and the back has a cam that retracts the latch when you turn the key. Inside the plug, there are small holes called “pin chambers” that hold the pins that work with the key.

3. The Shear Line: 

Think of the shear line as the gap between the cylinder and the plug. This gap is super important for the lock to open. If nothing is blocking the shear line, the plug can spin freely, and the lock opens. But if something is in the way, the plug can’t spin, and the lock stays closed. Knowing about the shear line is essential for people who pick locks or try to manipulate them.

4. Driver Pins: 

This is where all the fun begins. When there’s no key in the lock, the driver pins sit between the cylinder and the plug, blocking the shear line. They’re usually all the same length and stop the lock from opening without the right key. If you try to turn the plug without the key, the driver pins get stuck, and the lock won’t open.

5. Key Pins: 

The key pins are found within the plug’s lower section, and come in direct contact with the key. These pins come in different lengths, which are lifted to the correct height (flushed with the sheer line) only with the notches on the correct key. 

Key pins bottoms are rounded in shape to reduce the friction with the inserted key; otherwise the key would jump while retracting it from the lock.

6. Springs: 

Springs are like the muscles of the lock. They push the pins into the plug and keep the driver pins blocking the shear line when the key is out. 

Obviously when the entire functioning of the lock depends on how well the springs work, they are made to last a lifetime. 

7. Warding: 

Warding is the shape of the keyway in the lock. It is essential that the key matches the warding on the keyway so that it snugs in well within the plug.

Lock manufacturers see warding as another security element to deter lock pickers. Ever heard of paracentric keyways? Creative warding patterns make it difficult for lock pickers to use their tools effectively making it harder to pick locks.

8. Pin Chambers: 

Pin chambers are holes in a line through the lock’s housing and plug. They do two things: hold the pins and springs in place and guide the pins when they move inside the plug and cylinder. These holes are crucial for picking locks.

9. The Key: 

The key is what you use to lift the key pins to the sheer line and open the lock. Though it has many different parts, 4 parts are more important in this context. 

• The Blade: This is the long part of the key that goes into the lock’s plug. It’s shaped to match the plug’s warding, so it fits snugly.
• The Bitting: The bitting is like a secret code on the key. It’s the notches or cuts on the blade. These cuts need to match the right length of the key pins in the lock to open it.
• The Head: The head is the big part at the end of the key. It gives you the leverage to turn the key.
• The Shoulder: The shoulder helps keep the key in the right position in the lock. Without it, it would be tricky to figure out how far to put the key into the lock.

How Does a Pin Tumbler Lock Work?

Now that you are familiar with the different parts of a pin-tumbler lock, let’s take a closer look at how a pin-tumbler lock works:

• Key Insertion: When you insert the correct key into the keyway (the slot where you put the key), it goes into the plug, which is the part you turn when you want to lock or unlock something.

• Lifting the Pins: When you insert the key and turn it, the key pins need to be lifted to the exact height that makes them sit flush with the sheer line. This is where the key’s unique pattern of notches and cuts comes into play. The key’s bitting (the unique pattern of cuts) matches the key pins, allowing them to sit at the right height.

• Rotation: With the key correctly inserted and turned, the key pins align with the shear line, creating a clear path. Now, the plug can rotate freely because the driver pins are no longer blocking it. This rotation allows the lock to either lock or unlock the door or device.

Tubular Pin Tumbler Locks

Have you ever noticed locks on vending machines? More often than not, you will find a tubular pin tumbler lock guarding the vending machines. 

Even though tubular pin tumbler locks look different, they share the same working principle as traditional linear pin tumbler locks. 

In tubular tumbler locks, also known as radial locks, the pins are arranged in a circle rather than in a straight line. Therefore the key is also circular in nature with bitting on the outer surface. 

Tubular locks are relatively more difficult to pick than a linear traditional pin tumbler lock as using tensioning tools in radial locks require more practice and patience. However, you can still make a tubular lock pick at home and easily pick a circle lock. 

Picking a Pin Tumbler Lock

Now when we have understood different components of a pin tumbler lock and how they all come together to work, it is not difficult to guess what picking them would entail.

Picking a pin tumbler lock works on the principle of bringing the key pins to the sheer line so that the plug can move freely. 

This can be achieved by a variety of ways, glimpses of which I will share here. 

Single Pin Lock Picking

In single pin lock picking, you work with one key pin at a time. Typically you will require a tension tool and a hook. 

This is the first type of lock picking technique that you will learn as a beginner lockpicker. You will learn to understand the feedback from the lock.

Raking

Raking is another lock picking technique where special tools called rakes are used. 

Instead of working with a single pin at a time, you work with multiple pins simultaneously. Few of the most common rakes used are snake and Bogota rakes.

Bumping

Lock Bumping is a crude way of bypassing a pin tumbler lock. A bump key will have its cuts cut to the maximum depth of 9. 

This key is inserted partially in the keyway and then is struck with a force (usually with a hammer). The sudden force will uplift the key pins to the sheer line freeing the plug to rotate. 

There are new lock picking tools like lock pick guns that mimic the behavior of traditional tools and are faster. However as a beginner lock picker they severely restrict the ability to get (and understand) the feedback from the lock.

Protection Against Vulnerabilities

Over a period of time, lock manufacturers have come up with different ways to protect pin tumbler locks against the vulnerabilities outlined above. One of the most prominent ways is the introduction of security pins.

Security pins allow one or more pins to lock at the sheer line if anything other than the correct key is used to open the lock. They bind between the plug and cylinder, thereby blocking the plug rotation until the tension on the cylinder is released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the difference between a pin tumbler and a dimple lock?

Answer – The main difference between a pin tumbler lock and a dimple lock lies in the way their keys and pins are designed. 

In a pin tumbler lock, the key has ridges (or cuts), while the pins are arranged in a straight line within the lock. The key is inserted, and the ridges push the key pins to the right heights, aligning them at the shear line, and allowing the lock to turn and open. 

In contrast, a dimple lock uses a key with corresponding dimples. The pins in a dimple lock are arranged in a circular or curved keyway. When the dimples in the key match the positions of the pins, the lock can be turned. Dimple locks are often used in high-security applications due to their unique design, which adds an extra layer of complexity to lock-picking attempts.

Q2. Are pin tumblers hard to pick?

Answer – The ease or difficulty of picking a pin tumbler lock depends on various factors. Low-security pin tumbler locks, such as those commonly found on residential doors, can be relatively easy to pick for a skilled locksmith or hobbyist. However, high-security pin tumbler locks are designed with additional security features, like sidebars or complex pin configurations, making them much more challenging to pick. 

Conclusion

Pin tumbler locks are an essential part of our everyday lives, providing security and peace of mind. This comprehensive guide has explored the intricate world of pin tumbler locks, shedding light on the key components, mechanisms, and key aspects that everyone should know when it comes to these security devices. While pin tumbler locks offer basic security, they may not be foolproof against skilled intruders. 

If you found the information given in the article useful, do share it with your friends and family who might need it.