Every locksmith should know what curved shims are and how to use them. The shims are used on lock cylinders when you don't have a working key and the lock needs to be re-keyed, Shims are very thin pieces of curved stainless steel, formed to fit the curve of a lock plug and are used to separate the top pins from the bottom pins. I use shims all the time they are great for when you have the cylinder in hand and you don't want to take the time to pick the lock.
- Start by removing any C-clips or caps on the back end of the cylinder ( how you would when your about to start re-keying any cylinder lock)
- Fully insert a key blank into the cylinder.
- Insert the shim in between the plug and the housing until it barely touches the last pin.
- While adding light pressure on the shim inward( toward the front of the cylinder) slowly pull the key out. If this is done right you will feel the shim move a small amount inward.
- Continue until all the top and bottom pins are separated.
- Turn the cylinder 90 degrees either way. The lock is now "picked" and you are now able to re-key this lock or make a key for the cylinder.
