Posted by Marty (MO) on January 19, 2006 at 21:34:01:
anything for you, Lin!
Breaking and Entering 101 - Posted by Tim (NC)
Posted by Tim (NC) on January 17, 2006 at 06:46:00:
Yesterday, I tried to look at a couple Vanderbilt Repos and the keys weren’t in their usual places. The trailers look ok from the outside but I need to get a better look inside to make a bid. What is the best way to jimmy the locks without causing further damage.
another option - Posted by Marty (MO)
Posted by Marty (MO) on January 19, 2006 at 16:41:38:
carry a bottlenose hydraulic jack and 3 pieces of scrap wood. use the jack horizontally to spread the door frame. use 2 of the scrap boards to protect the door frame and one to extend the reach of the jack. open the door. tweak the system a bit and one person can easily do it. works on repos. works on mansions. no damage. takes just a little practice.
Marty
Re: Breaking and Entering 101 - Posted by TeddyB_SC
Posted by TeddyB_SC on January 17, 2006 at 18:11:12:
Newer, nicer homes I use a cordless drill like Karl. Older homes and cheap models I use a pocket knife or putty knife.
TeddyB_SC
Re: Breaking and Entering 101 - Posted by osupsycho (OK)
Posted by osupsycho (OK) on January 17, 2006 at 10:57:53:
This like most questions can be answered by using Lonnies books. He mentions the “universal” keys of a screwdriver and a putty knife. I have a flexible (stiff doesn’t work as well) putty knife that has never failed to get me in a home. It is flexible enough to push it around the weather stripping (be careful not to tear it) and push between the doorknob plunger and the wall. It is the same technique that is called the credit card technique only a little more advanced. Works like a charm unless there is a deadbolt (but I find most are not locked). Haven’t found a way around locked deadbolts. Only thing to do with this is to check the windows and climb in any unlocked (or more likely broken locked) ones.
Re: Breaking and Entering 101 - Posted by Karl (Oh)
Posted by Karl (Oh) on January 17, 2006 at 10:28:49:
Keep your cordless drill in your car at all times. Remove the metal weather stripping on the door jamb. This should let you slide a thin flat screwdriver between the door and the jamb to pop the lock without doing any damage.
If the door is tough, sometimes you can find a window that will open with a little help from a couple screwdrivers.
Unfortunately, most of the repos I look at have already been visited by other buyers who would rather use a crowbar. When I buy a repo, the door is usually the first thing we have to fix.
Karl Kleiner
Re: another option - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on January 19, 2006 at 19:51:42:
Good lord Marty, might as well throw in a flash bang granade after all that!
Re: another option - Posted by Lin (NC)
Posted by Lin (NC) on January 19, 2006 at 19:19:32:
If I bring said hydraulic jack and some scrap wood to MOM will you give me a demonstration?
Re: another option - Posted by Marty (MO)
Posted by Marty (MO) on January 19, 2006 at 21:33:02:
you know how cops and firefighters are- take something simple and make it complicated!