------------------------------- How To Drill A Pin Tumbler Lock ------------------------------- Sometimes a malfunction in the lock will prevent it from being picked. Drilling a pin tumbler lock is a less destructive means of opening the lock without the key than forcing the cylinder. Almost any type of drill may be used, including a hand operated drill, but the small one-quarter-inch electric drill is faster. The bit size is not of great importance, but the small bit will make the task easier when using a hand drill. Normally a 1/16 to 1/32-inch twist steel drill bit will do the job. Make the hole just above the lower tumbler pins near the shear line. Once the hole is drilled to approx- imately one and a half inches, take a tension wrench and turn the plug toward the unlocked position. If the plug refuses to turn, take a thin stiff section of wire and push the upper pins above the shear line to rotate the lock open.