Yale Pro-Key

[Jlo]

Hi All,

Just wondered on opinions on the Yale pro-key lock. Info at http://www.yale.co.uk/pdfs/cylinders.pdf

I live in a Bryant house which has multi locking doors with cheopo euro cylinders whcih also protruded from the lock so I guess could be snapped off. I am not a very talented picker but could pick these locks in under 5 mins.

I decided to invest for the Yale Pro-Key range which is a 7 pin lock. 6 conventional pins (With some of them spooled) and on the bow of the key there is a protruding pin which interacts with a pin in the cylinder. This allows for a patent so I have to sign a document before duplicates are made and I guess the control pin would have to be depressed before conventioal picking.

Since it just looks like a convential cylinder my guess is a theif would not even know about the control pin and without seeing to that the lock would not be picked.

Its graded to CEN 5 for secuity and contains anti drill protection. I also got the correct size so the cylinder is now flush with the lock.

I know there are a few UK Lock smiths here on the forum and just wondered what your opinion of the lock was?

PS I do realise that most breakins are by force or brick through the window but wonder as houses and pvc doors get more secure with multi point locking the cylinder is now becoming the weakest link.

Cheers

Jlo

[toomush2drink]

Looks like a good bit of kit but maybe it could be defeated by drilling through to the fixing screw with a hardplate drill bit. It certainly looks like a tough one to pick i think i would be looking for another door to get in by. . I think most thieves would be put off and try to force the doors or try some other brute force method.

[Jlo]

Cheers tomush2drink,

Thanks for your reply.

You would find the door in our house (garage door into the kitchen) is fitted with a with the weakest lock Avocet Sash Lock (BS3621 5 lever) I know from the other links they will keep out the opprtunitist but for guys like you (Locksmiths) I guess you have the tools to decode.

It must be a really interesting job.

Kind Regards

Jlo

[jason]

Avocet locks aren't really worth the bother (they're too cheap - you can find them in "Homebase")

Securefast aren't much better either, I've got a nice Chubb 3K74 on my backdoor (complete with two rack bolts and one tower bolt for those that fancy paying a visit).

My front door has a key operated deadlocking nightlatch (the ubiquitous Yale but with a couple of extra anti pick pins!) and a nice old Chubb 3G114 sprayed signal red (to match Union cases to stop anyone second guessing the brand and getting the drill point).

My side gate has an ordinary bolt mounted horizontally, but to have some "fun" I nailed carpet gripper to the underside of the transom (where you would put your fingers to grip to pull yourself over).

Came back late one night soon after moving in - nice red stains down the front of the white gate they don't seem to have paid a visit since hehehehehe. Locksmiths can be real bast**ds at times

[quicklocks]

[Theros]

Yeah, some people in my neighbourhood stick broken bottles in cement on top of there walls, sure deters the burglars from going over that way...

[jason]

The problem with broken bottles is that (a) it doesn't look nice, (b) they have to be really high up (at least 6 feet) and (c) nothing compares to the pain value when you don't expect to get hurt!!!

The plus side of putting the carpet gripper on the underside is that Mr. Burglar then has his whole bodyweight pulling on the grippers through his hands/fingers. The only way off is to either pull harder (driving the gripper further into the flesh) to gain enough height to unhook the flesh or pull away (ripping skin off).

I know it's illegal, but the average dim burglar isn't likely to go to the Police and admit to hurting himself breaking in and if questioned by them you could say you put it there to discourage squirrels/cats etc!.

I can't guarantee you'd get away with it, but the only option to a burglar would be to commence a civil claim rather than criminal action (by the Police). In the UK you are not likely to get legal aid to make civil claim.

[toomush2drink]

cor jason you are one sneaky so and so, i think its great LOL.