Cam lock recommendation?

[cledry]

You have two problems, 7/8" and price. I would suggest the only reasonable security option would be a tubular lock, although with a tubular lock pick they aren't great but vastly better than a wafer lock. Plus they have a stronger cam which is often the weakness.

You could possibly use a pin tumbler mailbox lock also. I have also seen a cabinet that used older GM sidebar door locks to good effect.

[globallockytoo]

I kinda agree with cledry.
if price is your sticky wicket, steer clear of HS like medeco or protec or Bilock (and I am a Bilock dealer).
Tubular camlocks are reasonably secure enough for your application i think.

I import the Serrature Meroni range of hardware and have master keyed tubular camlocks that are priced around US$22.00 - $30.00 each.
Serrature Meroni are an Italian company that have been producing quality lock products since the early '70's. they are competitively priced compared to other brands, however many of the other brands manufacture their products in Asia.

[seagull369]

The question you need to resolve is if this "safe" is going to be used to protect something of real value (eg, a tools, money, etc). Not to nitpick, but when you say "sturdy metal safe" (implying that you'd be potentially securing something of value) and then "$16 - $20 per lock", the first thing that jumps to mind is that you're not serious about security.

The contents of the safe aren't overly valuable, they're just something I want to keep out of the hands of prying eyes, so that's why I've got somewhat of a budget on the locks. In good conscience I can't really spend more for them than either the contents or the safe itself cost me, if that makes sense.

Also be sure to securely fasten the metal safes otherwise they are just picked up.

Good point you mentioned that. I actually lag screwed the safe to a wall at several points to prevent that.

I hate to drag this thread on even further after all the great suggestions, but was wondering if anyone could give me feedback on combination cam lock I found which I could get combo-ed alike. Looks similar to this one:

Would be nice not to log around extra keys, but I wonder if hammering off the dial might allow one to get in. I know the combo ones where you slide each individual digit up or down would prevent that, but I'm not a fan of them esp. after I was able to pick open a padlock once that had that in about a minute.

[ARF-GEF]

I don't know that particular combination lock, but generally very cheap and simple combination locks (such as the ones on padlocks) are very easy to open.
They are very comfy, easy to use but only good is you don't plan on securing any valuables. If you really only want to keep curious passer-bys honest it probably enough. I have never seen anything like that,before so the average person will probably be a bit surprised too. Where did you find it? It might be fun to get one and get a closer look.
I don't think it's easy to open with just hitting away the dial, but they probably has some weakness.

I would say you would get a lot more secure keyed lock for the same price (let me reiterate: I don't know the specific lock you showed it's just a general thing)
With many suggestions from before this thread you would be better off.

I hate to drag this thread on even further

Please feel free to drag the discussion on. At least I don't find it the least bothering, after all the discussion of locks is exactly why we are here. I think we are all glad to help, if someone doesn't want to /can't, they simply don't write. So don't have a second thought about asking questions, this is probably the best place to do so.

[easy-e]

Where did you find it? It might be fun to get one and get a closer look.

The image file name says it's model number is CK2113. Looks like it's $11.42

http://www.alliedlocksafe.com/shop/inde ... &cPath=275

[ARF-GEF]

Thanks Easy-e! I should have thought about checking the file name...

Still not 100% sure how it works, but if it's 11 buck it's probably a shabby lock. (and the looks point to that way too)
As I've mentioned above simple combination lock (in this price range) are crap. It would be pointless to put a masterlock 1500D on any "safe" so I would say it equally unwise to use sth. similarly cheap and simple as a lock.
Still if comfort is extremely important they might resist the most basic attacks and keep the door from opening accidentally

As I mentioned above check the Abloy novel line. They are not really expensive but they are good.

PM globallockytoo too, maybe you can work a out a good deal on the serrature tubular locks. They should be enough.

They are definitely vastly better than a wafer lock.


By the way, have I mentioned you can buy a simple keyed actual safe lock for as low as 45-50 bucks? I've found a few online. I know you were not originally looking for them and they are probably over the budget but just in case you are interested:). A cheap example I've found is the cawi optima.

[seagull369]

CCL Security is the company that apparently puts out the combo lock I posted. I wrote their tech support and asked about the likelihood of opening it via brute force, and got a reply saying it wouldn't fare well.

Saw this one on ebay and was wondering what you all think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-Machine- ... 7319112%26

It's 5/8" and not the 7/8" I previously mentioned I need, but I tried out that smaller size and it ends up working as well. Just might need to offset the cam a tad.

Thanks for the info on the "cawi optima" locks, ARF, but from what the images showed me on google I don't think those would fit my application.

[easy-e]

Saw this one on ebay and was wondering what you all think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arcade-Machine- ... 7319112%26

Abloy makes great locks and that is a great choice. I might buy one of those. Thanks for the link.

[GWiens2001]

Look closer at the listing. That is an "Abloy TYPE" lock, not an actual Abloy. It is just a cheap disc detainer. It is probably suitable for your needs, but it is not an Abloy.

Gordon

[GWiens2001]

Correction... They call it an Abloy Style lock. Same difference. Cheap knock-off. But again, probably suitable for the listed use.

Gordon

[ARF-GEF]

If you buy cheap knock off, try it very carefully whether it works all right. I've seen several Chinese knockoffs malfunctioning (i.e. getting stuck). A company called S.I.B makes some low quality locks which are widespread around here. They are dirt cheap, I've seen them half price to other entry level locks but man they are so imprecise, they get stuck, the material too is incredibly low quality. The plug inside them is not even one whole piece, it's hollowed out everywhere where material is not absolutely necessary for function.

They could serve your means but you could be better off with a decent lock. At least you can trust them more.

If you choose one please tell us which one did you get. I'm curious what did you decide on after all the careful consideration.

[seagull369]

Thanks for the heads-up, GWiens and ARF. In that ebay ad, I did notice the word "style" mentioned, but there was also a blip that read "High security Abloy Mechanism; virtually pick-proof" so I wasn't entirely sure.

Still keeping an eye out...

[ARF-GEF]

You are welcome:)

I think, if it is what it presents itself to be and is made decently, the abloy knockoffs are probably hard to pick. So I think there is a nucleus of truth in the virtually pickproof. It think that's why Gordon rightly said that from the security standpoint " it is probably suitable for you".
All that I meant is that knockoffs can and often are of inferior quality.