Fake Yale padlock from ebay (?)

[Yale77]

Hi!

I bought this padlock:

YALE HARDENED STEEL SHACKLE PADLOCK 50mm Keyed Laminated Coated High Security UK
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203133908324

It was forr work locking a gate outside. I bought it recognising the name Yale thinking it would be a decent brand to the old Master padlock before it that was keeping hard to close.

Straight away I noticed a lot of 'play' in the shackle and it just generally seemed very cheap. For example I noticed finding it not very smooth to either lock or unlock. Despite this, it wasn't for me so I didn't have much chance to investigate much as it starting being used.

Since day one the metal on the shackle discoloured from bright silver to a dull bronze where it meets the part of the gate, and its gotten slowly harder to lock or unlock for 1 year. Today it took me 2-3 minutes to close and I fear its due to be recycled.

My question is:

Are you aware of many fake Yale locks around? I know alot of other fake 'branded' items are found online. for example : laptop batteries.

and

Do you have any tips to make it lock easier? At the moment I have to move it from the open to the closed position repeatedly (there is a little ball bearing in the bottom that moves) whilst jiggling the lock before it will finally 'hold' the shackle. I tried a little oil for the ball bearing with no luck. I do own graphite powder but unsure where to use it in this case?


Kind regards

[FranklyFlawless]

Are you aware of many fake Yale locks around?

No.

Do you have any tips to make it lock easier?

I usually read Houdini recommended at r/lockpicking for lubricating the keyway, but for the overall lock itself, I have read about ultrasonic cleaners on r/lockpicking. I have yet to read further to test either of these proposed suggestions myself.

[Btuchman]

That's a new one, a fake Yale lock. The graphite wont hurt it. Oil it good. If its cheap steel it will probably rust up and be useless. Oil it good and constantly.
What did the ebay seller say about it? They don't let you write bad reviews any longer.
Good luck

[GWiens2001]

The graphite wont hurt it. Oil it good.

DO NOT use both graphite and oil in the same lock!!! You will end up with graphite mud which will harden into a solid mass. Graphite is a dry lubricant that should only be used very, very sparingly and never in a lock which still has, or will have, any form of wet lubricant used in it.

If you want to use graphite in a lock which has had wet lubricant, you need to completely clear out the wet lubricant and/or its' residue before using the graphite. If the lock has had graphite used in it and you wish to use a wet lubricant, it is best to clean out the graphite before using the wet lubricant.

On a side note, are you sure that is not a legally licensed Yale padlock? Many companies will allow their name to be put on products they don't make themselves so they can have a cheaper line of products to sell to those who don't want to spend the bigger dollar amount. The royalties enrichen the company with little or no cost to the company. Here is a link to some Yale laminated steel padlocks.

Gordon

[Btuchman]

Gordon, thanks for clarifying. I didn't mean for him to use them together. I only meant the dry graphite was fine. And also if that did not work and the lock was rusting that oil was good. I was on my phone and rushing. Thanks again.
Bruce

[GWiens2001]

Gordon, thanks for clarifying. I didn't mean for him to use them together. I only meant the dry graphite was fine. And also if that did not work and the lock was rusting that oil was good. I was on my phone and rushing. Thanks again.
Bruce

No problem. Just wanted to be sure that new people who not be aware of the hazzard would hopefully not make some locks like I have come across over the years.

Gordon

[Raymond]

I would prefer graphite so the lock does not gather dust and become abrasive mud.

Put some graphite down the shackle hole one side at a time and holding the padlock sideways attempt to get some of the graphite into the ball bearings or spring bolts. This will help the lock close very easily.

This definitely works on old master padlocks.