time clock?

[chunkitstyle]

Hello all,

This is going to sound strange but I'm a woodworker looking for advice on a lock mechanism, if there is one, that you could program to open after a certian amount of time has elapsed? I have a client that would like to store some expensive liquor in a cabinet that could not be opened when he's away from the house for any length of time.
After searching the internet for awhile I stumbled across your site and thought 'what the heck, why not ask?'.

Would any of you folks know if there is such a device and, if so, where it could be found.

Thanks for any advice and I hope I havn't bothered anyone posting this question.

Tim

[Squelchtone]

Hello all,

This is going to sound strange but I'm a woodworker looking for advice on a lock mechanism, if there is one, that you could program to open after a certian amount of time has elapsed? I have a client that would like to store some expensive liquor in a cabinet that could not be opened when he's away from the house for any length of time.
After searching the internet for awhile I stumbled across your site and thought 'what the heck, why not ask?'.

Would any of you folks know if there is such a device and, if so, where it could be found.

Thanks for any advice and I hope I havn't bothered anyone posting this question.

Tim

We could recommend some really exotic mechanical locks (Abloy Protec) that could not be picked, but could still be drilled out if someone wanted to be destructive and take the time to do so. Would this be of benefit to your friend? Ask him if the cabinet could be fitted with a cam lock or a standard home deadbolt such as a Schlage or Medeco. Could the cabinet be locked with a padlock and hasp or does this have to look classy in his dining room or den? There are some really nice padlocks that nobody could get through, he may be interested in that route.

Squelchtone

[lockinabox]

If the cabinet is made of wood (<1" thick hardwood), then the lock you put on it really doesn't matter. No one will attack the lock when they can easily break the wood and open the cabinet.

The cabinet should be made of metal if security is important to him. You can then build a wood cabinet around it for aesthetic purposes.

[chunkitstyle]

Thanks for replying guys,

My instinct tells me that what he's really after is a locking device to discipline HIMSELF for when he can have access. Though I don't think he wants to say so. I said I'd look around to see if there was any such hardware. Yes the cabinet will be hardwood. Most likely maple. It would be nice if it could be something small and simple.
My guess is that if I charge him enough and do a nice enough job, he's really have to think about damaging a custom wood work.
The door stiles could be anywhere from .75"-1.25" thick.

Thanks again for any advice. I never knew such a hobby existed until I started this project. You never know what you'll learn on the next one.

Tim

[lockinabox]

If he wants to prevent himself from getting into the cabinet during certain times then the cheapest option would probably be an electronic safe lock. All of them have time delay capabilities (usually 1-99 minutes) and you can program some of them to only accept a code and open during specified hours.

[chunkitstyle]

Thanks lockinabox,
I'll look into that and see if it's viable. Very much appreciated.

Tim

[taylorgdl]

Something like this has a delay function on it:

http://www.time-master.com/HTML/Catalog ... Locks.html

But only about a 10 min delay, on the plus side its a slam lock, and the keyhole is small so won't make the front of the cabinet look ugly.

If not, a basic safe lock would work, but may be harder to fit.