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Adam Savage’s Tested
The Key to the Unpickable Lock
⏱ 18 min video · 2 min read11 May 2026Worth watching
TL;DR
Adam Savage hosts Riley from Works by Design, who brings his third-generation custom unpickable padlock featuring a key that partially inserts into the lock body via a magnet mechanism, closing off the keyway entirely. The lock was ultimately defeated by lock picker Lock Noob using a classic impressioning attack, and Riley discusses how changing pin shapes could stop that vulnerability in version 4.
Key points
1
Riley's third-generation unpickable lock features a closing keyway mechanism that physically seals off the keyhole, preventing picks or tension wrenches from ever reaching the pins
2
The key is split into two parts connected by a single diametrically magnetized disc magnet — rotating the key weakens the magnetic field, releasing the inner half to travel deeper into the lock body
3
Lock Noob defeated the lock using a classic impressioning attack: inserting brass key blanks Riley provided, filing based on marks left by the pins, and gradually creating a working key
4
Riley used PCB Way for CNC-machined metal parts, going from 0.2mm nozzle 3D prints to final machined components that worked on the first try with only minor deburring needed
5
A plastic pin was intentionally included among the brass pins to reduce friction during the cylinder return stroke — it incidentally also complicated impressioning attacks, though not enough to stop Lock Noob
Actionable insights
→
Changing pin shape to a torpedo or asymmetric profile is Riley's planned fix for impressioning vulnerability, as the shape deflects the key blank rather than leaving a clean mark
→
Closing off the keyway entirely removes single-pin picking and tension wrench attacks, but does not eliminate impressioning — security designers must consider all attack vectors independently
→
Using a 0.2mm nozzle for 3D printing before ordering CNC parts gets prototypes as close to CAD spec as possible, reducing the risk of dimensional surprises when metal parts arrive
Notable quotes
“I kind of hope that they defeat it because it's sort of a really easy way to, you know, now I know what is defeated, what part I need to work on for the next iteration.”
“Lockport is the community that knows sort of deeper than anyone else that security through obscurity is no security at all.”
“It was picked right away on camera — so not great there.”
Worth watching?
✅
Worth watching the full video?
Watch the original Works by Design video for the full engineering deep-dive and Lock Noob impressioning footage — this interview is a great companion but the build video has the visual payoff.
Saved you some time? The creator still deserves a like.
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