Padlock Shims: Open Padlocks With Ease!

Padlock Shims make opening standard padlocks very easy!

Most padlocks can be popped open in mere seconds using our Padlock Shims. They are a great alternative to picking because they require no skill. They will open any lock that has a spring operated lever latch such as key operated MasterLocks found on sheds and storage buildings and combination locks found in locker rooms.

Made of very thin carbon spring steel, our Padlock Shims Set includes several sizes to fit the contour of the hasp of the lock. Just push one down between the hasp and the body of the lock and twist to disengage the locking mechanism. The U shaped hasp will pop open and you are in!

Pretty slick huh?

Our 20 piece Padlock Shim set assortment comes with 5 each of the 4 most common shackle diameters, enabling the shims to open a wide variety of locks.

Method of Use

First determine whether the padlock is single or double latched. If you don\'t know, then start by sliding a single shim down the inside of the pivot leg of the shackle to feel for a latch. Ideally, knowledge of the lock is the best way of knowing whether it is a single or double latch.

Single Latch Padlocks

For most padlocks, the latched leg of the shackle is generally on the same side as the serrations of the key. Choose a shim having the same of slightly larger bend radius than the shackle diameter. A slightly larger radius will close down to the correct shape more accurately than an undersized one will open up. It may also be necessary to shorten the length of the arms before using a shim on smaller padlocks.

Proper Use of Padlock Shims

• Exert some pressure on the pivot side of the shackle to ease the shackle towards the latch side and increase the clearance between the shackle diameter and the hole.
• Then insert the shim into the clearance on the outside of the shackle opposite the latch and twist and push the shim down as far as possible.
• When the shim is fully inserted, rotate the shim around the shackle so that the tongue of the shim approaches the latch from the side and eases it back. Once the shim had been rotated until the wings of the shim are pointing outwards away from the lock, it is likely that the latch has been sprung and the shackle can be pulled to open the lock.
• On some types of padlocks with weak latch springs, it may be possible to force the shim down onto the latch(es) directly from above, and ease it (them) back. However, if this technique is used on a latch with strong springs, the tip of the shim could bend and the latch would not be pushed back far enough to release the shackle.