The anti-shim.....

[overmind64]

While I was surfing the internet the other day I came across a pretty neat thing. The website itself has other pretty cool projects besides this.

I claim no credit for coming up with this, I assume that the author of this is also the originator, Lftndbt (name of author)

anti-shim instructable

[n2oah]

That's really a poor excuse to use crappy locks. Buy real locks with a double-ball locking mechanism.

[overmind64]

it's not an excuse for buying cheap locks, but a little project, if you have some spare time, and some cheap locks already on hand.

[Jaakko]

Even easier is to just insert a metal tube that has inner diameter that of shackle over the leg/legs of the shackle and use Loctite to lock it in place.

[5thcorps]

the anti shim idea looks ok but even easier just chop the sucker off. Even without shims there are still ways to overcome it for someone determined to.

[n2oah]

it's not an excuse for buying cheap locks, but a little project, if you have some spare time, and some cheap locks already on hand.

The article promotes it as a secure solution, not just a "for shnicks and giggles" project.

With all those shims out there spawned by that I'ble, we need some means of preventing people from using them to gain access to our valuables.
You better be quick those shims are easy to make and the criminals are coming to violate your padlocks..

I advise you stay away from that site, because it's doing nothing buy promoting DIY-stupidity. The DIY-explosives experts on there are a hoot. I really enjoy the discussion on whether nitroglycerin or acetylene is more effective on defeating locks.
Let's take a look at a quote here:

and to those "professional lockpickers" out there, break out your full kit as you have a challenge here. Lets hope no one walks by while you are shoving probes inside the lock.
"Excuse me sir, do you actually own that locker?"
"No I don't actually, my shim didn't work so I'm just picking the lock"

Those are the kind of asinine things that give hobbyists a bad name.

[overmind64]

I apologize for the stupidity of some of the people on that site, and I sincerely recommend that you don't use anything like what is described in the article in a realistic situation, because 1. not everyone in the world has access to shims and is out to get you, 2. if you need to protect something, you should use quality locks to begin with, because when you start with something that is cheap enough to be easily shimmed easily, then it probably is going to be very susceptible to other means of entry(e.g. lockpicks). That's not to say that the whole site should be ignored, but you have to use common sense as to what you should and shouldn't do. Although it probably wasn't the best idea to post a link to the article without providing a good background for it.

[lftndbt]

Hi all!!

Thought I would join so I could post a reply to this delightful discussion. I would just like to start of by thanking you, for providing me with an great amount of enjoyment. I have been following your discussion for a little while and I must say it has been a fantastic read.

I would also like to take this oppotunity to say that the "Anti-shim device" was intended to be as, or more commical as the "aluminium can shim" it stems from, with its quote,"OPEN ANY PADLOCK".
You and I both know an aluminium can shim will not open ANY padlock, only inferior poor quality ones.


Hence was produced the anti-shim device also stating, it could secure any padlock from a shim.



I think if you would take the time to read the initial intro and check the link to the original I'ble, you will see the fun I am having with the whole affair....
but I guess it might have skipped some folk.

[yanksfan]

the anti shim idea looks ok but even easier just chop the sucker off. Even without shims there are still ways to overcome it for someone determined to.

Aww. 5th, I thought you would know better. Were not thieves lol, we just pick the lock.