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Designing a mechanism to stop lock pickers in their tracks. Engineering this unpickable lock was a grueling process that tested my patience and had me questioning if it could really be done. Over two months of drawing, CAD-ing, laser cutting, machining, assembly, and testing.

Special thanks to Kendric the Locksmith and & Emerald Locksmith in helping with user testing and pick-ability. Also thanks to Omar for helping with the machined parts of the build.

This project took a ton of work and time to complete, so if you’re interested in supporting the development of more of these works you can do so here:
https://www.patreon.com/WorksByDesign

Software Used:
Solidworks
Photoshop
Blender
DaVinci Resolve

Tools and Hardware:
10 year old .002″ thick graph paper
304 SS
316 SS
Brass
3D printing from: https://www.xometry.com/
Laser cutting from: https://sendcutsend.com/
Hardware from: https://www.mcmaster.com/
a Drill Press
Files
a Vice
some string
bit of glue

source

29 thoughts on “Making a pickproof lock to stop honest criminals.”
  1. Very cool design. I think I have a method to decode it though. Since all of the teeth are the same thickness, and thus can be actuated to the same distance from "set", one could apply tension and use a decoder like a Lishi to measure the travel of each pin until the tooth locks against the cylinder, preventing it from traveling further. Once you have this, the correct setting would be 1 tooth width further for each pin.

    I think somewhat different tooth variations would help combat this.

  2. I have a great idea making it even more unpickable. Add electricity to make electrical contact with the lock unpleasant. Hopefully, this wouldn't be enough to hurt, but possibly enough to make any attack more fatiguing, especially using metal tools. Also, in theory, the amount of time spent in electrical contact with the lock is shorter in duration when using a proper key.

  3. I feel like, if you apply tension to purposely get yourself into the small gap of the second pin you could then push the pin until it lock and note the locking depth. By repeating to all pins you have the general shape of the key to use

  4. I had to slow the video down at the part where he sketches the idea – just to grasp the concept. It worked, i now understand the little pins and how to use them in the design to prevent lock picking.
    You are so organized- and although my brain understands the organization, i am not an organized person in any way. Thank God youtube allows me to slow down and rewind at will!

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