WOW! free locks!

[milkman22]

Okay I wasn't sure where to post this, but I think this will be useful to just about everyone since we all live in different areas.

I recently found this website called http://www.freecycle.org and it's basically an online community of 7 million people around the world who are giving away stuff that they don't need for free. This is a great way to get used padlocks and locks from people who have lost their keys, extra deadbolts from people who are moving, or even locks from retired locksmiths. I posted up a "wanted" post and actually got offers for all 3 of these examples the next day.

Go to the website and find your city, and then join their yahoo groups page and post a wanted ad. You can start posting or receiving free stuff right away. Here's my post if you need an example:

WANTED: Used or new locks, padlocks, safes, doesn't need a key (Cupertino)

I'm looking for any type of lock used or new.

If you don't need them or are planning to throw them out consider giving them to me because I enjoy lock picking as a hobby and I think many locks are wasted and thrown out. I also collect locks and padlocks

deadbolts, padlocks, cam locks, basically anything that is opened with a key.

You don't have to have the keys! anything is accepted. Thanks!

I think it's best to not hide your intent and just say what the purpose of your request is (lockpicking/collecting), and most people will be happy to know their old locks won't be wasted.

Here are some responses I got the next morning:

Hi,
My late husband did a lot of lock and key work and I have lots of stuff out in my garage. If you'll give me a couple days I'll gather it together for you.

Donna Seigart
Willow Glen 95125

I have 3 locks without keys. If you want to drive over to get them... 1**** Crabtree Avenue, Cupertino. If not, no big deal. In case, I will put them on my porch in a ziplock.
Stacy

Good morning. I am so glad to see that someone has a use for them. I will be moving so and will have a bunch to give you. Could you give me a phone # or email address so when this posting goes away I will still have a way to contact you. Thanks, Margie 408-***-***.....bluemoon******@comcast.net

Hope this helps anyone out looking for locks. I've picked up one offer already and they actually lived in my neighborhood and I got some great padlocks!

Sorry this post was so long, I just got a little too excited over some free stuff, haha.

[Squelchtone]

Thank You for the very helpful post. I have just signed up for my local group, waiting for membership approval.

have a good night,
Squelchtone

[WolfSpring]

If all your doing is looking for a body to pick and don't care about a cut off shackle, go to any container/shipping yard and look on the ground. We have a bunch out her in Kuwait, in one trip to our containers (5 of them) I found 5 locks without even walking 100 feet, two 5200s and 3 Mater DGs. The shackles are cut and they were caked with sand but I cleaned them up, on i have to file down, it's got a broken key stuck in it, but they are good for pacticing on and once open the 5200's can be recycled for parts.

[Schuyler]

Yup, similar post on Craigslist out here in Boston landed me ~200 locks over the course of a few weeks, plus some tools.

[raimundo]

what did ya get schuyler? anything interesting?

[Legion303]

We've been on freecycle for some time. Apparently the idiot moderators of our (small) hometown one don't want me giving away an old 19" TV, though, since 3 emails to that effect over the last 52 hours have gone unposted--now the working TV goes to the dump instead. So if you can get past a lazy mod queue, it's great.

-steve

[Schuyler]

what did ya get schuyler? anything interesting?

Choo! Was a while ago now, but I did get my first Dom, my first Medecos, my first tubular pick, and some nice antique Yale & Townes. Lot of crud, lot of decent stuff, but all free, so I certainly had no complaints.

[zeke79]

If all your doing is looking for a body to pick and don't care about a cut off shackle, go to any container/shipping yard and look on the ground. We have a bunch out her in Kuwait, in one trip to our containers (5 of them) I found 5 locks without even walking 100 feet, two 5200s and 3 Mater DGs. The shackles are cut and they were caked with sand but I cleaned them up, on i have to file down, it's got a broken key stuck in it, but they are good for pacticing on and once open the 5200's can be recycled for parts.

The shackles can be replaced easily and for very little money if you have an account with a good supplier or if you know someone who will order through their supplier for you next time they order. If you end up getting setup with a good supplier then it's best to wait until you have $100-$150 worth or so as most suppliers ship for free when you get an order in that price range or so.

Just an idea ,

Zeke79

[WolfSpring]

Hadn't even thought of that either. I've got 7 years left in the Army, afterwards I'd like to do locksmithing as a retirement job. I've already stated making some purchase deciscions after the next little bit, makes sense to start collecting working locks instead of just practice locks. I got me a free dremel tool yesterday, 15,000/30,000 RPM just sitting is a Connex probably for a few years, I was told everythin in there had to go, yeah it will go, home with me lol. I'm going back ou today to grab some more busted locks. Thanks for that insight on the shackles, specially since we only use good american's and Master DGs out here. Most our american's are 5200's.

[zeke79]

No problem, glad I could help! I don't think I have seen a master DG. What do they look like and what kind of cylinder setup does it have? Does it have spool and serratted top pins and serratted bottom pins or is the cylinder setup like the standard master no.3's with no security pins? I know the master pro series padlocks that are setup with the master security cylinders are decent locks and are more difficult than the no.3's to pick so I figure the DG locks are set up like the pro series locks since the military is using them.

[tjweaver84]

Zeke the DGs look like #3s but are brass colored. They also have a few spools though I don't remember how many. We use them all the time at work as we have switched pretty much everything over from American 5200s to them. The 5200 is a better lock but the DG is cheap ($5 from the exchange). I get locks quite often at work. People will check out of the barracks and just leave locks in the room.

[thelockpickkid]

I have a bizarre response to an add at this place:

I need old padlocks or new ones, no key no problem, these are used for educational purposes, I am a non-destructive entry specialist, and I play with these locks to see how fast I can open them without keys. Thanks


the answer to my post:

> Call 971 ** 9**9. I am a destructive specialist and I go and find locks around town in the night. I have a small collection and I realized lately that I have more then I need. I use to practice everyday, now I don't need to. I am now interested in alarm systems. the questions are: How far can we go before we get into the trouble. How long before we stop asking ourselves "what if" and start asking our selfs "why not". Do you realy want locks? My name is Marshall, give me a call.


This is feaky, if anybody want this phone number off of here if say you can trace it for me, I would be interested in knowing who this person is!! Just p.m. me

[WolfSpring]

Try whitepages.com or type in yahoo reverse phone number look up. Sometimes you'll get lucky and you'll get a name and addy, if nothing else a carrier.

[thelockpickkid]

Try whitepages.com or type in yahoo reverse phone number look up. Sometimes you'll get lucky and you'll get a name and addy, if nothing else a carrier.

T-mobile cell phone, unlisted number. What a jerk!!