Magnetic Pins?

[valeguy]

Would it be possible to make the bottom pins out of a ferrous metal and magnetize the top pins, so that they stick together, but not enough to prevent the correct key from opening the lock. I think this would greatly impede the effectiveness of bump keys and snappers. The pins would not stick to the inside of the rest of the lock if the lock were made out of brass or any other non ferrous metal. I'm new here, so please feel free to shoot holes in my idea because I probably have no idea what I'm doing

[Squelchtone]

They say that all good ideas have already been thought of. I think your magnet idea was either talked about already in the past, or and I may be wrong on this, a lock like this already exists. I believe you would only need 1 pin stack in the lock to be configured like this, not all 5 or 6 stacks. After the lock bumping thing got really popular on the internet, I seem to remember some lock company trying this method out.

Squelchtone

[SunWukong]

Why didn't the magnetic pins catch on (no pun intended)? Is it impossible to create the right balance and make it difficult to pick but also operational? Do the magnets undergo hysteresis from use and become useless? Is the cost of the magnetic materials prohibitively high? Sure its been thought of, but why isn't it being used today?

[Wizer]

I have an older Assa 700 that has magnetic pins.
I posted pictures a while ago here:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17879&start=75#p346311

[lunchb0x]

Don't forget this on Blackbag

http://blackbag.nl/?p=1831

[valeguy]

This happens to me all the time, reinventing the wheel. My bad for not looking it up properly before posting.. I suppose you could always just put those super strong magnets (neodymium) in the key way so all steel picks just get stuck there although the key would probably also get stuck if it was ferrous too so probably not a good idea

[GWiens2001]

My biggest concern of using ferris metal in a brass shell and/or plug would be dissimilar metal corrosion.

[Josh66]

They say that all good ideas have already been thought of.

I hope not...

[datagram]

They say that all good ideas have already been thought of. I think your magnet idea was either talked about already in the past, or and I may be wrong on this, a lock like this already exists. I believe you would only need 1 pin stack in the lock to be configured like this, not all 5 or 6 stacks. After the lock bumping thing got really popular on the internet, I seem to remember some lock company trying this method out.

Squelchtone

There's a number of companies that do this. The most notable are both from Europe: The Mottura (IT) C38 linked earlier, and the Avocet (UK) ABS; a telescoping dimple lock which uses a magnetic tumbler in the first pin position. Here's a photo of the key (which is often confused with the Mul-T-Lock Interactive; also why the MTL Interactive with Silver insert is assumed to have a magnet in the key by many!) http://lockwiki.com/index.php/File:Avocet_ABS_key.jpg

This is a very old idea, but locks that use it have not gained much traction. I can provide relevant patents for variations on this theme if there is interest.

dg

[GWiens2001]

DG

I love it when I come across your posts. Like many here, the depths of your knowledge is astonishing. Keep on sharing! Maybe someday I'll be able to contribute as much as you and many like you here.

[datagram]

<3
I'll leave this here... http://lockpickingforensics.com/article ... atents.pdf

dg

[vov35]

If the top pins were magnetic and the bottom pins ferrous, would it not be possible to apply a magnet to the lock to attract the ferrous pins and repel the magnetic ones? just saying

[IndigoChild]

There is a box of keys at work that have horizontal holes drilled into the base of the key blade and in these holes magnets are inserted with north out or south out. the idea is like the one above where it will either attract or repel the pins. Now here is the catch. those magnetic pins are on the side and there are regular pins and teeth for the top. The reason these locks arent very popular is because you can strike it with a hammer and that will usually demagnetize the magnets in a way that you can pick it like a normal lock. I will get some pictures for you all when I go back tomorrow. They are really quite neat.

[IndigoChild]

I finally got some pictures of those magnetic keys I was talking about. I have plenty of pictures for you to see what I see and this is all we have at the shop so your guess is as good as mine. I am thinking the cylinder is like that to master key these magnetic keys because I imagine a magnet system doesn't play nice with regular cylinders.

View Gallery

[GWiens2001]

Never seen one like that. And it's an old Sargent. Hey, Jeff, you are missing it!

Gordon