Tubular lock bumping?

[mdc5150]

I tried to do a little research to find out if this has even been brought up and couldn't find anything. Is it possible to bump a tubular lock? I'm really not that familiar with tubular locks and I was wondering if cutting a tubular key to all #1 cuts would do it or if there is a reason this would not work.

[MBI]

I've read of some attempts to try it, but it's been years so I don't remember all the details. I seem to recall that they didn't have much luck with it. Although at least in theory, it should be possible.

I think some of the problems were because of different spring strengths mixed within some locks. It's done to help resist picking, but had the bonus advantage of making bumping harder. Also there's the fact that you'd have to bump it successfully several times to get it to rotate all the way around.

If anyone has come up with something new and has had more success with it I hope they post it.

[Nickinator]

I think the amount of rotation needed to unlock being about 90 degrees normally would make this really difficult, plus I know that on some of the tubular pin tumblers they make the pins out of different materials to make them more resilient to picking.

[darkhorse]

It would be interesting to see someone follow this up and have a go, then post the results

[LocksmithArmy]

qhonestly i dont see why it wouldnt be possible... you would need several successful bumps to make it open though...

[Boss]

I would imagine you would have more luck with a tubular comb pick. Anyone ever tried this?

[magician59]

I would imagine you would have more luck with a tubular comb pick. Anyone ever tried this?

Good idea! Run with it.

[mastersmith]

There are no "slopes" between pins to jar them in motion. I would think the whole method would be different, if it is possible at all.

[LocksmithArmy]

no, you dont need slopes since you have access to the bottom of all the pins, you can literally smack them without having to run them up a slope...

the idea is the same, cut a key that is not quite a 9999 (like 8.75 all acroos the board) and as long as no pins in that lock set at 9 you are good to go. insert it so the key does not touch the pins, hit it with a hanmer... and turn

there will be issues like: many of these locks have spool pins, and many have different weighted pins... but all in all i dont see how its not possible, it should work...

[Alera]

Yeah, i think it'd be great to see this happen. if anyone makes it work, record it and hit me up.

[LocksmithArmy]

in theory it works



but this is a crappy ACE I not the ACEII or anything with security pins or balanced/weighted drivers... someone else has to do it on a more secure lock

[virul]

Wow nice job lsa, i've never seen a tubular being bumped, i hadn't even conisdered it.

[vienessewaltzer]

I've only ever heard the theory. That's awesome proof of concept man:)

[MrPharmer2012]

Great work LSA

[nozza36]

I have achieved mixed results , i have 4 tubular locks and only 1 can be bumped with the keys i've made (2)
one is a key which i have filed the cuts to the deepest depth of the key and the other is a key which i have
filed all the cutsaway totally , just leaving the inner noggin to give a gripping point to assist with rotation
the second key may have been filed too deeply , so i will try again and let you all know , or i may just file the noggin down a bit
and see if my results change !