To store my Harley over the winter I recently bought a '79 Ford
Econoline camper van. It's well insulated and I can put in a small
electric heat source to drive off moisture in the winter.

Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
I can't remove the locked gas cap.

Should I:

(1) try and drill out the lock, risking an explosion

(2) use a crowbar to pry it out, bending the van's body and
risking an explosion

(3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)

(4) ....?

Any help appreciated
TIA, Sean_Q_

If you bought a van that didn't come with keys, I'd be thinking
five-finger discount.


Sean_Q_ wrote:
> To store my Harley over the winter I recently bought a '79 Ford
> Econoline camper van. It's well insulated and I can put in a small
> electric heat source to drive off moisture in the winter.
>
> Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
> duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
> I can't remove the locked gas cap.
>
> Should I:
>
> (1) try and drill out the lock, risking an explosion
>
> (2) use a crowbar to pry it out, bending the van's body and
> risking an explosion
>
> (3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)
>
> (4) ....?
>
> Any help appreciated
> TIA, Sean_Q_


--
Posted with OS/2 Warp 4.52
and Sea Monkey 1.5a

David T. Johnson wrote:

> If you bought a van that didn't come with keys, I'd be thinking
> five-finger discount.

I have the reg papers, etc but the keys got misplaced.

SQ

On Aug 27, 10:10*am, Sean_Q_ <nos...@no.sapm> wrote:
> To store my Harley over the winter I recently bought a '79 Ford
> Econoline camper van. It's well insulated and I can put in a small
> electric heat source to drive off moisture in the winter.
>
> Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
> duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
> I can't remove the locked gas cap.
>
> Should I:
>
> (1) try and drill out the lock, risking an explosion

No risk... Go for it.

> (2) use a crowbar to pry it out, bending the van's body and
> risking an explosion

No risk of explosion give a meth-head a ride (Tacoma wont miss one)
have him do it take him back to his locale and leave. OBTW have him
fix this at a empty parking lot.

> (3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)

eww...unless you couldn't get it out yourself.

(4) Go down to Tacoma take 38th st exit and head for down downtown.
Just ask any meth-head along the way if they could help you out for
$20.

(5) Good luck, hope you knock it out with no problems other than sweat
equity and or money. Either way you may end up getting a new gas cap.
--
Keith

"Sean_Q_" <nospam@no.sapm> wrote

> (3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)
>
> (4) ....?
>

If you needed, and obtained, an ignition key, that would imply that it runs.
So drive it to a locksmith. Am I missing something?
OR
If the lock is on a door covering the actual gas cap, drill it out.

On Aug 27, 9:10*am, Sean_Q_ <nos...@no.sapm> wrote:
> To store my Harley over the winter I recently bought a '79 Ford
> Econoline camper van. It's well insulated and I can put in a small
> electric heat source to drive off moisture in the winter.
>
> Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
> duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
> I can't remove the locked gas cap.
>
> Should I:
>
> (1) try and drill out the lock, risking an explosion
>
> (2) use a crowbar to pry it out, bending the van's body and
> risking an explosion
>
> (3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)
>
> (4) ....?
>
> Any help appreciated
> TIA, Sean_Q_

If it's one of those common "Briggs and Stratton" caps, there are only
three different keys made for all of them. Ask all yer friends,
relatives!
--
Rayvan

"Sean_Q_" <nospam@no.sapm> wrote in message
news:K%etk.46794$hx.3091@pd7urf3no...
> To store my Harley over the winter I recently bought a '79 Ford
> Econoline camper van. It's well insulated and I can put in a small
> electric heat source to drive off moisture in the winter.
>
> Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
> duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
> I can't remove the locked gas cap.
>
> Should I:
>
> (1) try and drill out the lock, risking an explosion
>
> (2) use a crowbar to pry it out, bending the van's body and
> risking an explosion
>
> (3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)
>
> (4) ....?

There are a variety of places on the Internet where you can order lock picks
and an instructional video and book. I'd recommend doing that if you're not
in a hurry.

Here is the place I've had good luck with:

http://www.lockpickshop.com/

As far as publications, this is one that I've always admired:

http://www.capricorn.org/~akira/home...k/mitlg-a4.pdf

Just a few notes:

a)I recommend learning to pick locks to everyone. It is a useful skill.
You might find it fun and a good learning experience.

b)Not all locks can be picked using the standard methods, but I'm guessing a
cheap gas cap lock can. (The reason is that some clever mechanical designs
decouple the forces--most auto ignition locks can't be picked using the same
methods that apply to a residential door lock).

My suggestion naturally applies only if you're not in a hurry ...

Who Me? wrote:

> If you needed, and obtained, an ignition key, that would imply that it
> runs.
> So drive it to a locksmith. Am I missing something?

To spare you tedious details about out-of-province registration and
a lot of DMV red tape to get it on the road the bottom line is that
I'm keeping it at the blueberry farm. It's basically a self-propelled
waterproof metal box that I want to stash my bike in over the winter.

> If the lock is on a door covering the actual gas cap, drill it out.

It's on the actual filler neck. However, a refrigeration guy told me
that the tank and neck has no air (ie no oxygen) because it's all been
replaced by gas vapour.

The parts guy at a bike store said he had the same problem and just
hammered a screwdriver into the lock and turned it. The brute force
approach, and there was no explosion.

SQ

"Sean_Q_" <nospam@no.sapm> wrote in message
news:axitk.226569$gc5.86065@pd7urf2no...
> It's on the actual filler neck. However, a refrigeration guy told me
> that the tank and neck has no air (ie no oxygen) because it's all been
> replaced by gas vapour.

What a F*****G idiot.

Sean_Q_ wrote:

> The parts guy at a bike store said he had the same problem and just
> hammered a screwdriver into the lock and turned it. The brute force
> approach, and there was no explosion.

http://www.lockpickshop.com/CC77.html

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:57:38 -0400, "David T. Ashley" <dta@e3ft.com>
wrote:

>"Sean_Q_" <nospam@no.sapm> wrote in message
>news:K%etk.46794$hx.3091@pd7urf3no...
>> To store my Harley over the winter I recently bought a '79 Ford
>> Econoline camper van. It's well insulated and I can put in a small
>> electric heat source to drive off moisture in the winter.
>>
>> Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
>> duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
>> I can't remove the locked gas cap.
>>
>> Should I:
>>
>> (1) try and drill out the lock, risking an explosion
>>
>> (2) use a crowbar to pry it out, bending the van's body and
>> risking an explosion
>>
>> (3) get a mobile locksmith to come around (costing over $100)
>>
>> (4) ....?
>
>There are a variety of places on the Internet where you can order lock picks
>and an instructional video and book. I'd recommend doing that if you're not
>in a hurry.
>
>Here is the place I've had good luck with:
>
>http://www.lockpickshop.com/
>
>As far as publications, this is one that I've always admired:
>
>http://www.capricorn.org/~akira/home...k/mitlg-a4.pdf
>
>Just a few notes:
>
>a)I recommend learning to pick locks to everyone. It is a useful skill.
>You might find it fun and a good learning experience.
>
>b)Not all locks can be picked using the standard methods, but I'm guessing a
>cheap gas cap lock can. (The reason is that some clever mechanical designs
>decouple the forces--most auto ignition locks can't be picked using the same
>methods that apply to a residential door lock).
>

>My suggestion naturally applies only if you're not in a hurry ...

Gas cap locks are very easy to pick. Like a couple of people now have
said, read some tips on the internet. You could make the pick. And you
could pick the thing faster than you could drill it.

"Bill Vanek" <bilvanek@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:rj4cb458k2ijig8e7blch4cb0sh4e9i14v@4ax.com...
>
> Gas cap locks are very easy to pick. Like a couple of people now have
> said, read some tips on the internet. You could make the pick. And you
> could pick the thing faster than you could drill it.

I was looking at lockpicking as a learning and educational experience. You
know ... builds character ... at least as much as golf.

On Aug 27, 7:32*pm, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
> "Bill Vanek" <bilva...@invalid.com> wrote in message
>
> news:rj4cb458k2ijig8e7blch4cb0sh4e9i14v@4ax.com...
>
>
>
> > Gas cap locks are very easy to pick. Like a couple of people now have
> > said, read some tips on the internet. You could make the pick. And you
> > could pick the thing faster than you could drill it.
>
> I was looking at lockpicking as a learning and educational experience. *You
> know ... builds character ... at least as much as golf.

Best of luck with your new career.

technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKRU3H2UnsE0

http://www.restockit.com/Gas-Cap-Pic...-(LTI106).html

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:32:34 -0400, "David T. Ashley" <dta@e3ft.com>
wrote:

>"Bill Vanek" <bilvanek@invalid.com> wrote in message
>news:rj4cb458k2ijig8e7blch4cb0sh4e9i14v@4ax.com.. .
>>
>> Gas cap locks are very easy to pick. Like a couple of people now have
>> said, read some tips on the internet. You could make the pick. And you
>> could pick the thing faster than you could drill it.
>
>I was looking at lockpicking as a learning and educational experience. You
>know ... builds character ... at least as much as golf.

And of course if you get caught with them, you will move to an
institution of higher learning, courtesy of whatever state you get
caught in.

I guess someone should have thrown a warning in - possession of
burglary tools tends to be a felony. Those picks do come in handy
sometimes, though.

"Bill Vanek" <bilvanek@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:21cdb4tp8ir3r0h7raq1kt6ll0dldpk3us@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:32:34 -0400, "David T. Ashley" <dta@e3ft.com>
> wrote:
>
>>"Bill Vanek" <bilvanek@invalid.com> wrote in message
>>news:rj4cb458k2ijig8e7blch4cb0sh4e9i14v@4ax.com. ..
>>>
>>> Gas cap locks are very easy to pick. Like a couple of people now have
>>> said, read some tips on the internet. You could make the pick. And you
>>> could pick the thing faster than you could drill it.
>>
>>I was looking at lockpicking as a learning and educational experience.
>>You
>>know ... builds character ... at least as much as golf.
>
> And of course if you get caught with them, you will move to an
> institution of higher learning, courtesy of whatever state you get
> caught in.
>
> I guess someone should have thrown a warning in - possession of
> burglary tools tends to be a felony. Those picks do come in handy
> sometimes, though.

The world amazes me sometimes, but I don't think a person would ordinarily
get charged criminally unless there was some evidence that one had actually
used them ... but you may be right.

If you have any stories or good URLs to laws ...

"David T. Ashley" <dta@e3ft.com> wrote in message
news:946dnWAUAaPmJCvVnZ2dnUVZ_vednZ2d@giganews.com ...
> "Bill Vanek" <bilvanek@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:21cdb4tp8ir3r0h7raq1kt6ll0dldpk3us@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:32:34 -0400, "David T. Ashley" <dta@e3ft.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>"Bill Vanek" <bilvanek@invalid.com> wrote in message
>>>news:rj4cb458k2ijig8e7blch4cb0sh4e9i14v@4ax.com ...
>>>>
>>>> Gas cap locks are very easy to pick. Like a couple of people now have
>>>> said, read some tips on the internet. You could make the pick. And you
>>>> could pick the thing faster than you could drill it.
>>>
>>>I was looking at lockpicking as a learning and educational experience.
>>>You
>>>know ... builds character ... at least as much as golf.
>>
>> And of course if you get caught with them, you will move to an
>> institution of higher learning, courtesy of whatever state you get
>> caught in.
>>
>> I guess someone should have thrown a warning in - possession of
>> burglary tools tends to be a felony. Those picks do come in handy
>> sometimes, though.
>
> The world amazes me sometimes, but I don't think a person would ordinarily
> get charged criminally unless there was some evidence that one had
> actually used them ... but you may be right.
>
> If you have any stories or good URLs to laws ...

IL prohibits the sale and possession of lock picks. I don't know the scope
or wording of the law. I do know that online merchants won't sell those
items to IL residents.

"MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:t1ztk.11164$L_.2736@flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com...
>
> IL prohibits the sale and possession of lock picks. I don't know the scope
> or wording of the law. I do know that online merchants won't sell those
> items to IL residents.

I did find this page.

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=22287

I find it interesting that many states have wording requring "intent", i.e.
one has to have the picks with intent to use them to commit a crime. This
is what I would normally expect.

Some states, apparently, do not require intent: mere possession is a crime.

On Aug 28, 8:14 am, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:

> I did find this page.
>
> http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=22287
>
> I find it interesting that many states have wording requring "intent", i.e.
> one has to have the picks with intent to use them to commit a crime. This
> is what I would normally expect.
>
> Some states, apparently, do not require intent: mere possession is a crime.

Mere possession of lockpicks is a crime, unless
of course if you're a locksmith. Probably at least
as much about protecting turf as it is about any
crime prevention.

"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1b6a945a-092e-42d4-be78-699edb4b93ed@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Aug 28, 8:14 am, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
>
>> I did find this page.
>>
>> http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=22287
>>
>> I find it interesting that many states have wording requring "intent",
>> i.e.
>> one has to have the picks with intent to use them to commit a crime.
>> This
>> is what I would normally expect.
>>
>> Some states, apparently, do not require intent: mere possession is a
>> crime.
>
> Mere possession of lockpicks is a crime, unless
> of course if you're a locksmith. Probably at least
> as much about protecting turf as it is about any
> crime prevention.

I think it depends on jurisdiction.

On Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:55:11 -0700 (PDT), Rob Kleinschmidt
<Rkleinsch1216128@aol.com> wrote:

>On Aug 28, 8:14 am, "David T. Ashley" <d...@e3ft.com> wrote:
>
>> I did find this page.
>>
>> http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=22287
>>
>> I find it interesting that many states have wording requring "intent", i.e.
>> one has to have the picks with intent to use them to commit a crime. This
>> is what I would normally expect.
>>
>> Some states, apparently, do not require intent: mere possession is a crime.
>
>Mere possession of lockpicks is a crime, unless
>of course if you're a locksmith. Probably at least
>as much about protecting turf as it is about any
>crime prevention.

In NV, you must be an LEO or a licensed locksmith. A few years ago
when I inquired about this, there was exactly one person who could
train locksmiths and issue those licenses. Turf, indeed.

It is, however, legal to sell them to anyone in NV.

David T. Ashley wrote:
> "MikeWhy" <boat042-nospam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:t1ztk.11164$L_.2736@flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com...
>> IL prohibits the sale and possession of lock picks. I don't know the scope
>> or wording of the law. I do know that online merchants won't sell those
>> items to IL residents.
>
> I did find this page.
>
> http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=22287
>
> I find it interesting that many states have wording requring "intent", i.e.
> one has to have the picks with intent to use them to commit a crime. This
> is what I would normally expect.
>
> Some states, apparently, do not require intent: mere possession is a crime.
>
>

That's why it's good to make your own.
If you make the handles into some sort of tool, and the picks and
torsion wrench just long enough to work but not appear to be the 'useful
end,' cops won't even notice them. Just watch out for the balance of the
rakes. If the handle is too heavy, you won't feel the pins.

Sean_Q_ <nospam@no.sapm> wrote in news:K%etk.46794$hx.3091@pd7urf3no:

> Problem is it has no keys. I managed to get the ignition key
> duplicated (by taking the ignition lock to a locksmith), but
> I can't remove the locked gas cap.

The Bronco my wife inherited from her Father was the same way... I pried
it off with a screwdriver with no damage to anything. Once again proving
the old adage that a lock is only good enough to keep an honest man honest.

--
RCOS #7
IBA# 11465
http://imagesdesavions.com
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Rob Kleinschmidt <Rkleinsch1216128@aol.com> wrote in news:1b6a945a-092e-
42d4-be78-699edb4b93ed@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com:

> Mere possession of lockpicks is a crime, unless
> of course if you're a locksmith.


In the most oppressive of jurisdictions, yes.

--
RCOS #7
IBA# 11465
http://imagesdesavions.com
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **