Looking for a secure combination lock

[Foodspice]

I'm not into picking locks, but I thought this would be an excellent place to ask this question:

I'm in law school and need to keep some expensive things (laptop, expensive books) in my locker at school. Inevitably, every year some lockers are broken into via bolt cutters.

I just need to know if I can buy an uncuttable combination lock. Do these exist? If not what is my best option. I appreciate any help. Cheers.

[datagram]

You're looking for "shrouded" padlocks, this should give you an idea:

http://images.google.com/images?q=shrouded%20padlock

I'd recommend the Abus Diskus, personally.

dg

[Foodspice]

Thanks datagram, I've only seen a few of these in the past. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Nice solution. I'll be ordering an Abus Diskus. I just better not lose the keys or I'll be dis-assembling the locker to get inside.

[n2oah]

I wouldn't recommend the Abus Diskus. Why get a Diskus when you could get a real high security lock for $40 more? I'd recommend a Mul-t-Lock G-Series Lock.

[datagram]

I wouldn't recommend the Abus Diskus. Why get a Diskus when you could get a real high security lock for $40 more? I'd recommend a Mul-t-Lock G-Series Lock.

Well, I'm guessing his locker could easily be smashed into (don't think I've ever seen one that couldn't be...), so he'd be running into that 50$ lock 10$ door scenario.

[Foodspice]

I wouldn't recommend the Abus Diskus. Why get a Diskus when you could get a real high security lock for $40 more? I'd recommend a Mul-t-Lock G-Series Lock.

Oh nice. I like these. Having trouble finding a way to order one in Canada though. This site doesn't ship to Canada.

[n2oah]

Well, I'm guessing his locker could easily be smashed into (don't think I've ever seen one that couldn't be...), so he'd be running into that 50$ lock 10$ door scenario.

Yeah, that may be the case. I don't have details on his locker, so I couldn't tell for sure. Even then, the OP states that the locks (or hasps) are usually attacked with bolt cutter. A Mul-t-Lock will resist this sort of attack much better than an Abus Diskus.
Foodspice, to find your nearest MtL distributor, you might have to call them at 1-416-745-8104, because their site (www.mul-t-lock.ca) is "under construction". You may also want to ask the people at Mul-t-Lock-Onlie to ask them if they will ship to Canada. Most sites are willing to make exceptions. It may also be advantageous to measure the diameter of the hasp on your locker. Many high security locks have very thick shackles, and measuring your hasp may help you to choose which lock is right.

[straightpick]

If you have expensive items like that KEEP THEM WITH YOU. There is no way to secure a school locker. The largest shackle you can put on a locker with the uplifting handle is 1/4". I don't care if the shackle is titanium, they will just use boltcutters to snip the eye the shackle goes through and your expensive lock will be laying on the floor. If the locker has two 90 degree eyes for a lock, even if you use a hockey puck lock, the eyes are the weak point. The lock can be pried and/or twisted off. They are lockers, made of sheet metal, not vaults. Don't keep expensive items in them!

[Foodspice]

I appreciate all the replies and help. Here is the scenario: This is a 1000 square foot room with a few hundred lockers in it. Access to this room is granted via swipe card (but people hold doors open for others -- so no real security here). The lockers have two 90 degree eyes like explained by straightpick.

What has happened in the past is that the thief comes in, not at night, but in the middle of the day when someone can let him in. He waits around for a bit and then has a go at as many lockers as he can in a row as fast as he can, with bolt cutters, and then dashes with the laptops.

I literally have several hundred pounds of books in my locker (think law school) and my laptop (which is with me 90% of the time - sometimes it just can't be). What I am looking for here is a little piece of mind. Its not that the laptop is not easily replaceable -- its the information on it. I backup my notes, but still. I think by having a shrouded padlock the would-be thief will avoid my locker. I realize I cannot protect against every scenario, but I can mitigate my risk. Its like trying to outrun a bear -- you really don't have to, you just have to outrun your friends.


N2oah, thanks. I'll give that a try and I'll measure the diameter of the eyes to make sure it'll fit.

[Engineer]

Foodspice PLEASE either store your data on on a flashdrive that you keep with you at all times, or back it up religiously onto a removeable disk or flashdrive.

My doctor was distracted by some kids, so their friends could go through his open car door and they made off with his laptop, it had all his personal research all the way back from Med school on it. He lost 30 years of irreplaceable personal research, data and notes. He had basically his whole working life stolen and presumably erased.

Sure, it's easy to be wise after the event, but we all learn the hard way. I am just grateful I've never had to learn a lesson in as hard a way as that.

Regards,

Engineer

[n2oah]

Engineer,

I backup my notes, but still.

They didn't send him to law school because he's stupid.

[straightpick]

Well, if you are going the shrouded padlock route, get one that has the smallest diameter between the shrouds that will still fit. You want to protect the padlock eyes, less room better protection. I'm curious though. After the first round of stolen laptops, didn't they review the swipe records from either the lock, if it is stand alone or the computer, if it's networked? They could call in everyone who had access right before it the theft was reported. No CCTV cameras with recorders? I mean, it is a law school, money certainly isn't a factor! Sounds typical,. though, they file lawsuits against people who don't cover every wildly imaginary scenario that could possibly exist but THEY don't take even basic precautions!

[Engineer]

n2oah said:

They didn't send him to law school because he's stupid.

I know! Good point, but we all got lazy, or busy...

I turned the air blue when I lost 2 weeks work, but 30 years? I cannot even begin to imagine how the Doctor must have felt.

My own two week loss was what got me into making more back ups than I had been doing.

[Foodspice]

Well, if you are going the shrouded padlock route, get one that has the smallest diameter between the shrouds that will still fit. You want to protect the padlock eyes, less room better protection. I'm curious though. After the first round of stolen laptops, didn't they review the swipe records from either the lock, if it is stand alone or the computer, if it's networked? They could call in everyone who had access right before it the theft was reported. No CCTV cameras with recorders? I mean, it is a law school, money certainly isn't a factor! Sounds typical,. though, they file lawsuits against people who don't cover every wildly imaginary scenario that could possibly exist but THEY don't take even basic precautions!

Campus security arrived right away but no one was caught. As for reviewing swipe card records it was assumed that this person was not affiliated with the law school (cost/benefit of stealing a laptop is horrible). So this leaves the possibility that the door was held open -- people think they are being polite even when they don't recognize the person.

I wish money wasn't a factor just because it is a law school. There is very little corporate/firm sponsorship so it is like any other professional school -- paid for by gov't and tuition.

I'll either be buying the G-series Mul-T-Lock or something similar. After all it'll last me my whole life.

Again, you guys have been more than helpful and very welcoming. It is very much appreciated. Cheers.

[ridinplugspinnaz]

I'll either be buying the G-series Mul-T-Lock or something similar. After all it'll last me my whole life.

Again, you guys have been more than helpful and very welcoming. It is very much appreciated. Cheers.

I'm inclined to agree with your outlook on the situation (that bear analogy was awesome, by the way). As long as your locker isn't the low-hanging fruit in that room, it's more than likely going to be passed up for something with a lower risk/reward ratio in terms of the time it actually takes to gain access to the locker. Any competent thief in a time-critical situation like that is going to target the Master combo locks before any sort of shrouded padlock.

I figure it's like someone wardriving for internet access. A router using WEP is a terribly weakly-secured access point, but in a sense, it is almost infinitely more secure when it's sitting next to an open router. Who's going to waste the time to crack WEP when you can just get on the open router for less effort?

Anyway, I think you have the right idea here. Just go with any shrouded padlock other than the cheapo Master series, and that should be more than enough for peace of mind (and to prevent bear attacks).