my garage lock with a plexiglass side

[femurat]

A friend of mine changed his garage lock to open it with the same key of his house basement. This is his old lock, my new one



This is not a lever lock but I think it works almost the same. Does anybody know what's the right name?

As you can see I removed one side and made a plexiglass copy to see what happens in the lock. This lock has 6 elements but I can see only the 3 in the upper half, the bottom ones are masked by the bolt. I've already picked it watching the mechanism, but I can't still feel the lock. I know I'm using the wrong tools, but the coat hanger was lying around...

Any idea on how to feel it better?

Thanks

[zeke79]

It is a lever lock. A double throw lever lock at that. as for feel, it will likely require more tension than you are used to applying with a standard pin tumbler lock.

[straightpick]

It's a lever lock, just a different design than the types you normally see. Looks like only 3 levers with a reversible key. You could try a blank with the back portion cut down , leaving just the front portion to engage the bolt and use this as your tension wrench.

[femurat]

I was not sure... now I know this is a lever lock.

I'm using the U wire you can see in the picture as a tension wrench. It's inserted in the keyhole with the tip in the bolt, like a spring. I'll try to use the key filed down, so I can vary the tension.
The key is symmetric: you can use it from both sides. Unfortunately I have to pick all the 6 levers to open it, 3 are behind the bolt.

Thanks

[globallockytoo]

I was not sure... now I know this is a lever lock.

I'm using the U wire you can see in the picture as a tension wrench. It's inserted in the keyhole with the tip in the bolt, like a spring. I'll try to use the key filed down, so I can vary the tension.
The key is symmetric: you can use it from both sides. Unfortunately I have to pick all the 6 levers to open it, 3 are behind the bolt.

Thanks

There are only 3 levers in this lock....not 6.

[globallockytoo]

i could be wrong tho.....oops!

[femurat]

The first picture was enough to understand the lock type, but to help everybody understand how it works I took it in pieces.
It was supposed to be a very secure lock... but once I put on the plexiglass side It became easy for me to pick it. I'll practice some more and then I could put on this metal side again. I hope I can still pick it.

Now my friend who gave it to me is worried somebody could enter his garage without permission. Any idea to make this lock safer?



Thanks to all for your help.

[greyman]

Hi there. I call them "Italian Lever locks" because I think they were invented in Italy. They are also popular in Spain and south America. They are double-throw, as Zeke pointed out. There's a reasonably thorough write-up in my book on high security locks (click my signature image). Cheers, greyman

[femurat]

Hi there. I call them "Italian Lever locks" because I think they were invented in Italy. They are also popular in Spain and south America. They are double-throw, as Zeke pointed out. There's a reasonably thorough write-up in my book on high security locks (click my signature image). Cheers, greyman

Hi greyman, thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately when I click on your signature I got a "page not found" error...
I'll try again in a few days, maybe the website (or my connection) has technical problems. Cheers

[lunchb0x]

I just tried the link and it worked for me.

[femurat]

I tried again today and it worked maybe the other day there was something wrong with my connection.

wow 72.95 euro... I'm sure this is a good book, but if I wanted to invest that amount, I'd buy a good practice lock. Thanks anyway for your suggestion greyman, maybe in the future I'll change my mind...

Cheers

[zeke79]

Here is another double throw lever lock made by boda.



Here is an example of a kromer novum single throw lever lock. The locks are of a different design but as you can see a double throw lock, the stump has to pass between two sets of gates in order to open completely.



Here is an example of a nemef dual key double throw lever lock from a power station in The Netherlands (Lock obtained legally). These locks are almost impossible to obtain.

[femurat]

Impressive! Thanks zeke79, I couldn't image there were so many interesting lever locks!

[prag]

femurat that's a cool lock you have there. With a bit of practice you will see that those types of locks are easy to pick. We use quite abit of those locks but in a different application.

zeke79 those are some impressive mortice or lever locks you have. I am slowly building my collection. Really like the nemef dual key double throw . Similar to the Milner safe lock I posted as far as the jaggered edge of the levers. I'd like to get my hands on one of those.

[femurat]

Prag, you are right: this lock is very easy once you understand how it works. At the beginning is hard because you're not used to the lever, so it need a bit of practice to get it. Once again: the feedback is not clear as with the pins, but it's so easy when you know how... anyway it was very interesting to play with something different. I'll keep the plexiglass side on and leave this lock in my little toy-box. Some days I'll play again with it.
Cheers