American 1105 equivalence?

[dnullify]

Hi all! i've been looking for a new lock that poses a relatively good challenge, and decided that the American 1105 looks pretty cool. Not only that it has serrated spools, but that it is rekeyable, and the cylinder pops out with a screwdriver...

However, it's proving to acquire, as i can't find it any of the hardware or locksmith stores (which there are surprisingly few of around here). I did see the 1105 on a newspaper dispenser, but can't find it in any of the stores!

so i was wondering, is there a Master lock equivalence or any other cool, challenging padlock out there?

[loki-aka]

If you really want an American product, PM me for contact info on US based dist.

American used to sell through many retail channels, not so much anymore.

[Squelchtone]

Good Morning,

If you need anything lock related, always try ebay first.

Here are a few examples from ebay stores, I search by typing in "American Lock Padlock*" (the * takes care of auctions that say padlock OR padlocks in the title)

http://cgi.ebay.com/A1105RED-A1105GRN-AMERICAN-LOCK-PADLOCK-SET-OF-1-EA-NEW_W0QQitemZ370306400082

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMERICAN-LOCK-PADLOCK-BLUE-HARDENDED-ALLOY_W0QQitemZ180420189129

Enjoy,

Squelchtone

[dnullify]

thanks for the replies!

I actually have been trying to find one locally, as shipping seems to be a difficulty with locks.

I found it on amazon for $8.69 +$6.19 shipping which comes out to ~ $15
http://www.amazon.com/American-Lock-Sha ... 873&sr=8-3

and for $10.76 +5 shipping on mrlock.com.

I'm trying to find it, or something like it locally so in the long run i can buy more locks (less spent on shipping).

it's a shame they're not available widely any more... i was pretty surprised i found one locking a news stand closed

[dnullify]

never mind... found a master 6830 which is rekeyable...

maybe i'll be able to find one locally... the american is better looking though...

[Squelchtone]

never mind... found a master 6830 which is rekeyable...

maybe i'll be able to find one locally... the american is better looking though...

dont give up, that Master sucks compared to the American Lock 1105. Master owns American Lock, and American is always full of serrated pins, Master however has not learned from it's newly purchased company and all Master locks have like 1 spool pin per lock and all normal bottom pins. I think someone said their No .140 had all 5 spools, but I'd consider that pure luck and not the norm.

I used to take shots at Kwikset for being so sloppy and easy to pick, but at least they came out with Smartkey and that's harder to pick. Master Lock hasn't improved their product in years, and don't seem to care about that fact. You'd think they would at least throw some mushroom or spool pins in their Master No1.-No15 line of utility padlocks.

Their locks are shameful.

Squelchtone

[tballard]

The American 11xx series is one of my favorite ones to pick. It's much harder than ANY Master lock, and you'll learn a lot from them. Many locksmiths stock them. (Oh, and four stacks in a Master 140 Squelch... )

[dnullify]

good to know!

I may have located a smith who carries american locks... gonna try and swing by tomorrow and see if i can't get lucky...

watching some of the videos, it seems that the american 1105 is quite a challenge! i'm pretty excited!

what other lock would be good just for fiddling around with? not necessarily too difficult, but no no.3?

I find picking a simple lock like the no.3 sort of relaxing when watching tv or such, but my No.3's bitting is 3 pins high all equal height, the 4th being really close. a bit boring...

[tballard]

Actually the Master 140 is the traditional stepping stone between #3 and something "real" like a 11xx series. Cheap, readily available (I got my first one at Walgreens of all places) and has one spool to get you started.

[thelockpickkid]

The American locks are good for sure, but I have never found one factory pinned that give me much of a fight. They are better than Master though, Master don't make a lock that should keep you out for much longer than 5 minutes tops. All locksmith shops here carry them, they are easy to find.

[dnullify]

Well.... I got a 1105, in brown... it was the only one left... and is a ridiculously hard bitting...

i can't even set 2 pins. i managed to get a false set twice since the morning, but didn't know how to go from there...

dang.

[img]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4285705751_e9b8c2d5d4.jpg[/img

i guess i'll just have to keep at it! it's quite a challenge!

[lock2006]

it's quite a challenge for now,then you will be surprise
when you get it open many times
i guess for now,just practice and practice and more practice
good luck.

[Bad_Jason]

I came across a Federal 200 padlock the other day and read somewhere that Federal and American locks are made identically. Is this true?

BTW: Does anyone know what's likely inside the Federal 200? I haven't opened it as I'm trying to figure out it's false sets. I suppose I could always pop the cylinder out.

[ElAbogado]

Good Morning,

If you need anything lock related, always try ebay first.

Here are a few examples from ebay stores, I search by typing in "American Lock Padlock*" (the * takes care of auctions that say padlock OR padlocks in the title)

http://cgi.ebay.com/A1105RED-A1105GRN-AMERICAN-LOCK-PADLOCK-SET-OF-1-EA-NEW_W0QQitemZ370306400082

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMERICAN-LOCK-PADLOCK-BLUE-HARDENDED-ALLOY_W0QQitemZ180420189129

Enjoy,

Squelchtone

Those are actually quite good locks. I bought a "lot" of them when they first hit eBay and were very cheap. Think I paid $2.00 per lock NIB w/2 keys. The only negative was that they were KA.

IMHO these kick a*s on most Master Padlocks and all PAC locks.

El Abogado

[dnullify]

it's quite a challenge for now,then you will be surprise
when you get it open many times
i guess for now,just practice and practice and more practice
good luck.

you were right!

I am now looking for another lock! Though I've come to realize that user rekable isn not a necessary feature, considering I don't have any pins or a key cutter...

Good Morning,

If you need anything lock related, always try ebay first.

Here are a few examples from ebay stores, I search by typing in "American Lock Padlock*" (the * takes care of auctions that say padlock OR padlocks in the title)

http://cgi.ebay.com/A1105RED-A1105GRN-AMERICAN-LOCK-PADLOCK-SET-OF-1-EA-NEW_W0QQitemZ370306400082

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMERICAN-LOCK-PADLOCK-BLUE-HARDENDED-ALLOY_W0QQitemZ180420189129

Enjoy,

Squelchtone

Those are actually quite good locks. I bought a "lot" of them when they first hit eBay and were very cheap. Think I paid $2.00 per lock NIB w/2 keys. The only negative was that they were KA.

IMHO these kick a*s on most Master Padlocks and all PAC locks.

El Abogado

wait... Which locks did you pay $2 for? That sounds like a good deal! What does KA mean though?

... And what kicks a*s on most master locks?

Sorry, I may just be completely put of it... :p