Glue + padlocks = ????

[CVScam]

A few years ago some vandals put super glue in all the locks at my high school the school was closed for 2 days and the school replaced every lock with those Kaba dimple locks. Almost at least once a week some teacher would get locked out of a classroom because their key would quit working.

[vector40]

Getting expensive dimple locks was meant to prevent gluing?

Was someone unclear on the concept?

[CVScam]

I remember so many students had keys to the outside doors(I remember one kid used to sell copies for about 5 bucks apiece) that putting new dimple locks on the outside would keep vandals out. Why they put dimple locks on all the inside doors I guess the locksmiths who replaced all those locks needed the extra profit or maybe they told the school board that dimple locks are more "glue proof."

[Aqua]

Needles to say, that it's harder to make a copy of a dimple key with a file, as probably most students don't have access to a stationary driller.

[Raccoon]

This is an interesting thread.

I'd like to compile a list of different glues that everyone is familiar with (and what general locale they are common) with methods of removing said glue from a lock.

I've never heard of PVA, Poxipol, and I think our library stopped using horse glue (a type of glue that required heating to bond) 50 years ago.

Things like Super Glue, Crazy Glue, et-al should be classified by the type of glue based on its active ingrediant(s).

[Shrub]

Horse glue is still used regulary in the furniture business as in the heat up stuff but you could get some that was just like a sticky stuff at room temp for paper etc.

PVA is used as a multipurpose glue mostly and is water based and soluable, its white but can dry clear or white. Its good on wood based products like wooden joints, paper, card etc. It cures in air and depending on quantity used can dry withiong an hour, you can get rapid stuff that cures to strength on wooden joints in a few hours.

Locktite would be a bad thing, retainer, threadlocker etc would all be bad.

Super glue (Cyanoacrylate) can be found in varying strengths in the uk from stuff that you can get on your fingers and peel off again when dry to stuff that will glue your boots to the ceiling and hold you there if wearing them.

Araldite, this is a two part epoxy, i cant remember the active ingrediants but its not the most used method of glueing locks as you have to mix 2 tubes of glue together for it to start cureing.

Ive seen fibre glass resin used at a paint shop but again this is more of a specialist stuff and requires two parts to be mixed.

I could go on all night but do you want likely glues that would be put into a lock or any glue that may or may not be used to be put into a lock.

Bits of sticks/twigs, blue tack, paper clips, pen tops, chewed up paer set hard, chewing gum, dog poo etc etc have all been found in locks.

(yes i did a doo poo one, i got a neibours hose pipe and flushed it out before i touched it but it seemed the customer just didnt want to touch it and after i washed it away they happily used theiur key but it came back out with muck on it lol so i changed the lock for them on request lol)

[Raccoon]

I've seen JB Weld mentioned in the past, but that is also a 2 part system. How do kiddies mix these parts-- or do they just squirt in half / half and hope it mixes itself?

What are some of the solvents and methods used in removing each particular glue? A comprehensive resource would just be nifty to have on hand.

In America, we call PVA "Elmers Glue". It sounds like the same thing; white water-soluable glue typically found in elementry schools and is safe to ingest. They also make a wood glue which is brown and dries yellowish.

Rubbing alcohol, Acetone (nail polish), and Paint thinner would be my solvents of choice, and I'd try each in that order until one worked. Any issues with doing this, besides the fact that Acetone will melt plastics/rubber? (should one try paint thinner before acetone?)

[Aqua]

I've seen JB Weld mentioned in the past, but that is also a 2 part system. How do kiddies mix these parts-- or do they just squirt in half / half and hope it mixes itself?

Exactly. Along with 2 tubes in the box you usually (with most glues of this sort) you get a small plate and something to mix&spread the substance. Both made of some special plastic (couldn't find any info on this material) from which the glue is easily removed, even after it has dried. It takes no special skill or knowledge to use it: squeeze the compotents out of the tubes 50/50, mix them, and place the substance wherever you might want it to be. 24 hours in typical room temperature pass and it's as hard as steel (the warmer, the faster). If a kid would get his hands covered in the substance, he could easily clean it with any dissolvant or even with a lot of warm water (at least during the first few dozen minutes).

Shrub, I cant be sure, but I think the ingrediants you ment are:
marcaptan polymer and epoxy resin (i believe that's the correct spelling but it is hard to find a thing like that in a pol-eng dictionary ).

[vector40]

There is a known solution for super glue that involves heating with a small butane torch until it powders.

[Shrub]

Be very careful because super glue (i think) gives of cyanide when burnt.

[SFGOON]

Don't sweat it. It's not the same as a cyanide gas. It won't kill you in the small doses that cyanide will.

[Shrub]

Well it makes my eyes water and sting like mad when ive done it in the past but no its not going to kill you just a bunch of brain cells which im in desparate need to keep

[vector40]

... in fact, it might've been nice if you hadn't lost so many already

[Shrub]

I know, i walk round with ear plugs in to stop the wind whistling, when i forget them my eyes roll round witha sudden gust lol