How to Pick a Furniture Lock

Keep a spare key for your drawer lock that you can use in case of emergencies.

A lot of people are scared to pick a furniture lock, especially if they are dealing with an old piece of furniture. Some would think that picking the lock would damage the furniture piece or ruin its finish. You can still pick the lock of any piece of furniture and still preserve its function. If you have a desk drawer and its key is long gone, you may need to pick the lock to force it open. If you are keeping important documents or items inside the drawer, you might want to try picking the drawer lock.

Things You'll Need

• 2 paperclips
• Flashlight

Instructions

1. Get two paperclips and straighten them to use for picking the drawer lock. Peel away the plastic coating if you are using coated paperclips. Only the metal part of the paperclips should be seen. This will prevent the coating from getting stuck inside the lock while you attempt to unlock it. One of your paperclips will be used to go inside the lock while other will act as a tension wrench in your desk.

2. Shine your flashlight into the lock to search for the side that contains the pins. Push the paperclip inside the drawer lock if you can't feel the pins. Use the paperclip to rake the sides of the drawer lock to find its pins. Hold the lock pins with just one paper clip.

3. Insert your other paperclip and hold it parallel to the paperclip inserted in the lock. The second paperclip will help sustain the pressure on the cylinder of your drawer lock.

4. Apply pressure on the first paperclip using the second one and help move it upward against the lock pins.

5. Turn the lock's pins with your paperclip until it opens. The second paperclip held against the cylinder of the lock should begin to move, allowing the paperclip to move with its internal mechanics.

References

• Lock Picking: A Method of Picking a Desk Drawer Lock
• YouTube: Desk Drawer Lock Picking

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish