Famílies

The emphasis of all of my books is to do it yourself. Why pay someone else to build a device when you can build it easily on your own? I am really going out on a limb by showing you how to construct this pick gun. The locksmith trade did everything within its power to try to get me not to publish these plans. But this is America, and I shall do as I damn well please.

These two pick guns were developed by the Central Intelligence Agency to teach its field operatives how to pick a lock with the minimum of materials available to them. Both of these guns work extremely well.

As of this writing, a commercial lock pick gun costs about $100 to $150. The two improvised pick guns here cost about $.50 to build and do exactly the same thing as the commercial guns do. I have tested both of the improvised guns against the commercial guns and have achieved the same success with all of them: I have always gotten the locks open.

Most escape artists are familiar with the methods of picking locks, so I will be brief about explaining how to use these two devices.

To use the first gun, insert the end of the wire into the lock along with the tension wrench.

Lightly turn the tension wrench and, at the same time, flick the end of the wire pick gun upward against the pins repeatedly. This will throw all the pins up at once. It will take several flicks to cause all the pins to pass the shear points and open the lock. You must learn the proper pressure to use on the tension wrench. This comes with practice and depends on how tight the pins fit in that particular tumbler.

The second pick gun utilizing a clothespin works basically the same way. You flick the clothespin repeatedly while keeping the tension wrench lightly torqued.

With practice you will be amazed at how well these improvised pick guns work. With this know-ledge of how to construct these lock picks, you will seldom run across a lock you cannot pick. This gives a real sense of power and self-confidence.

Just remember: practice, practice, practice. Don't get discouraged. You will learn the art.

CAUTION: Lock pick guns are illegal to possess in most states, so check your local and state laws before constructing them. You usually must have a locksmith's license to have these tools on your person.

HOMEMADE PICK GUN I Wire Coat Hanger Bent into Shape Shown Here

Hammer the end flat and file into shape.

Improvised Tension Wrench (made from 1/8" spring steel strip)

HOMEMADE PICK GUN II

Clothespin

tested both of these devices to determine their ability to pick standard locks. Both worked as well as commercial pick guns.

IMPORTANT: Possession of the above devices is illegal in most states. Check laws before constructing.

WARNING: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN 71

BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

SPARKS

In this trick, the magician produces a huge shower of sparks in his fist, which has to be seen to be believed. But it is dangerous, so you should understand exactly what you are getting into if you decide to include this in your act. You should not use this effect indoors without taking a lot of precautions. It's much too easy to ignite stage curtains or anything else in the area. You must wear an entire outfit made of flame-retardant cloth and wear heavy dark glasses; welder's goggles are best.

The illustration shows how to construct and perform the spark effect. You can walk around the stage doing other tricks while wearing the hidden

wiring under your clothes. Put the glove on and pick up the the ball of steel wool. Walk over to the metal plates on the stage and stand on them, thus completing the circuit. At once, sparks will be produced. Hold your well-protected arm as far away from your body as you can and crumple the ball. An instant shower of bright sparks appears.

CAUTION: You need to perform this effect deep back in the stage to prevent a spark from hitting someone in the audience. If you do this outdoors, beware of wind, which will carry the sparks. Use this with caution, folks; it's

extremely dangerous.

Do not accidentally

hook your shocker glove to this device.

Produce a handful of sparks during your act

1. Magician stands on metal plates on floor, thus completing the circuit with the car battery.

2. By crumpling the ball of steel wool that will contact the metal plates on the glove, a huge amount of sparks is produced.

Metal Plates (affixed to the bottom of magician's shoes)

Glove

Metal Plates (affixed to thumb and little finger of outside of heavy rubber glove)

Male/Female Hookup

Ball of Steel Wool (not affixed to glove)

Table will be covered with a long tablecloth to hide battery.

Metal Plates (affixed to floor)

Leads go up the sleeve through clothing to metal plates on shoes.

Cables run from battery to floor plates. Cables are taped to floor.

WARNING: THE EFFECTS AND DEVICES IN THIS BOOK ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN

BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. THIS MATERIAL IS PRESENTED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY.

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