Does Bumping A Lock Damage It?
Does Bumping A Lock Damage It?
Bumping is a method used to open locks without a key. It has been around for many years but only recently has it become widely known that many locks are susceptible to this technique. It is a very effective method of unlocking locks without damaging them and is easy to learn.
The first thing you need to do is get a bump key that has the correct teeth set. These should be jagged and steep so that when you “bump” the key while applying torque, for a split second all of the tumblers will bounce up into the perfect positions to allow a window of time for the bump key to push them into place.
Next you take a triangular file (you can find them at most hardware stores for about a few dollars) and file down the valleys between the teeth on the bump key until they are as low as possible. This will create a jagged and zigzag appearance when you’re done and the key should be ready to use.
You then insert the key into the lock one notch short of full insertion and bump the key lightly into the cylinder. The special teeth on the bump key transmit a slight impact to all of the key pins in the lock, which causes the driver pins to momentarily jump above the shear line in the tumbler, pushing back the key pins and the lock plug.
After this the key will pull the plug out of the cylinder and the lock will be opened. This is a great method of opening locks quickly and non destructively but you must be careful not to bump too hard or the cylinder will be damaged.
If you are going to be bumping the cylinder I would recommend that you lubricate the cylinder before doing so as this will help the key to move in and out easily and avoid unnecessary wear on the cylinder. It also prevents the key from becoming seized inside the cylinder once it has been knocked in.
The key can then be tapped in and out using a small hammer or a rubber bump tool to force the key into the lock. This is a simple but effective way of unlocking most cylinders.
There are also bump proof locks on the market that can be installed by a locksmith that are made to resist bumping. These are not quite as effective as bump keys but they can be a useful addition to your home security and can make it much harder for burglars to gain access to your home.
If your home has been broken into it is important to note that insurance policies may not cover claims due to forced entry. This is because if the thieves used a bump key there will be no evidence of tampering and no forensic traces of how they entered your home. This can make it difficult to prove a claim and some insurance companies will not even pay out for stolen goods if the theft was attributed to bumping.
