Tubular Cylinder Locks

Tubular cylinder locks are widely accepted as the most secure locks you can get for a reasonable price. Tubular cylinder locks are the round type locks you find on most vending machines, ATMs, and the like. They are basically a pin tumbler lock where the pins are arranged on a circular plane. The key is a cylinder with cuts around its perimeter. When the key is inserted, each pin (whose faces are visible) is pushed in the corresponding depth and the plug can be turned.

Picking

Your best bet for picking these locks is to purchase a specially designed tubular cylinder pick. While it can be picked with conventional tools, it takes forever because you have to pick it three or four times to turn the plug the 120 to 180 degrees needed to unlock it. And what's worse is that the cylinder locks after each time you pick it -- every one-seventh of a turn! If you want to try it, here's how.

If you don't have a tubular cylinder pick you will require a wrench that is .062 inches square on its end. Fit this into the groove of the tubular cylinder plug. Apply tension in a clockwise direction, then use a straight pin to push each pin down until it clicks into place. Proceed to the next pin, until all are picked and the plug turns a few degrees. You will have to repeat this until it unlocks. Do not leave the locks halfway picked. If you do, even the original key will not be able to open the lock until it has been picked back into its original position. Good Luck!