Picking The Fraim Contract Padlock

Method 1 - Flat Key
"By David Heuermann"

This picking method applies to the Dec. 15, 1908 Patent # 907026. The mechanism has a guard lever in lever position #5 which guards lever #1 from being moved. For this exercise I am going to refer to the guard lever as lever #5.

This method uses your garden variety lever pick and a shim that gives you positive control over lever #1. You may also want to visit  Fraim Contract Padlock Key Changes and Key Cutting.

This picture shows the shim inserted between the case and the shackle. Click on the image for an exploded view.

This is your garden variety single lever pick made from an ILCO E375 blank.

The shim was made from a .009 feeler gauge. I put a piece of tape on the end of the shim to act as a cushion for your finger. You may encounter some locks that have a tighter tolerance, in this case make a .008 shim. The .009 shim worked fine with all the locks that I tested.

Picking the Lock 

1) Insert the shim between the case and the shackle. The best way to do this is to insert it on an angle and then once started you can position it in the upright position.
2) Using your single lever pick push lever #5 and press down on the shim and hold. Lever #1 is now enabled.
3) Using your single lever pick push lever #1 and press down on the shim and hold. The shackle is now enabled.
4) You may now pick (lever #2, #3, and #4) as if it were any other 3 lever lock. Be sure to apply enough shackle pressure.

Method 1 - Post Key
"By David Heuermann"

The process is the same as the flat key.