Diskus type lock

[Dark Angel]

I am not sure of the proper name of these types of lock,i think they are called diskus locks.
I have seen them around quite often but have never had the chance to try and pick one.
That was until today,a customer brought in a steel van lock box.This is the type of storage boxes that are found in the back of workmens vans etc.They are solid secure safety boxes for work tools.
The box in question had been cut open because the customer had lost the keys to it.With the box now open i was able to unscrew the securing brackets on the back of the locks and remove them.The locks that were securing the box were two Van diskus locks.The pins were set in the side of the keyway,instead of at the top,similar to a dimple type lock.
Anyhow i thought that i would have a go at picking one of the locks,but found that using a normal type pick was useless because the pins stuck out so far that the pick was unable to slide underneath them.
I then tried sliding the end of one of my tension wrenches underneath the pins and simply pulling it back at a slighty raised angle,and to my amazment within ten minutes the lock turned and opened.
Not sure if this was a fluke or not i tried the same technique on the second lock.Simply using one tension wrench to turn the plug as normal and using another wrench to slide under the pins,and this time i opened the lock in less than a minute and can now open it every time using this method.
The box that these locks are fitted to costs a couple of hundred pounds,and is supposed to be very high security,so for me this felt like a good achievment.



I have found a link to a site that sells this type of strong box,the box its self is called a van vault box.
http://www.vangadgets.co.uk/index.html?strong_box_b.htm

[toomush2drink]

Thanks for the tip as i was thinking of getting a van vault but looks like i may get something made up now.

[Dark Angel]

Thanks for the tip as i was thinking of getting a van vault but looks like i may get something made up now.

The strong box itself is extremley secure and well built,i would still recomend buying one.
The locks are completly covered when the box is closed with only the key hole showing,so they are quite difficult to force open espesially if they are bolted to the floor.But like i say the locks can be picked quite easy if you Know how.I very much doubt a thief would get into the van and then try to pick the locks so you should be ok.

[Chucklz]

Dark Angel

About your picking

Seems to me that you have very successfully, and very inexpensively reproduced the "Matador" style picks. Great job! Now the real question..... were can I get one of these locks in the US.

[robie]

These type locks are also used on mini storage warehouses in my area. I have had to service some of these ion my area when the renter "forgets" to pay the rent and the mini warehouse owner seizes their property. He used to use what he called his master key (bolt cutters) but he was actually damaging the roll up doors in the process. Now he just calls me.

[toomush2drink]

If the locks are covered i guess you are right about the picking most thieves seem to smash etc.
Slightly off topic but a great idea to help secure your car, van whatever is to get one of those wireless house alarms. Take the sensors and put them in your car etc under the seats and in the boot/trunk. Now take the bell box cover off and dampen down the bell with a piece of cloth or wire in a buzzer instead and leave the bellbox in the room you are in asleep etc. What happens is that if anyone breaks into the car you will know, it doesnt matter if they have disabled your car alarm they wont be aware they have triggered another alarm. You will hear the dampened down alarm but they wont.All you have to do now is greet them with your favourite baseball bat etc or call the police (dont want to get any legal things going on over this) This system is transferable and can protect a few things at once ie shed ,car,van,caravan etc, just add more sensors. A friend of mine has used this system to great effect on his house in a remote area to alert to anybody lurking about by fitting the sensors on the outside but high enough so wildlife cannot trigger it. Like you said before darkangel we have lots of car crime over here so gotta be one step ahead.

[Dark Angel]

There seems to be quite a few makes of the diskus padlock all using the same type of shell design but using diffrent types of plugs.
For example Abus make one with the pins set in the side of the keyway along with Multi-lock,and yale make one with a standard pin tumbler set up.I geuss the design is a good one and everybody has jumped on the band wagon and produced there own.
I always assumed that these were expensive type padlocks but there are some cheap companies selling them for around$7.00,i geuss you get what you pay for though,i am sure the $50.00 Abus top of the range and Multi-lock set ups are much more secure.