question on American padlocks--748 vs. 5360

[devildog]

Why does the 748 cost almost 3 times as much as the 5360? It seems to be almost exactly the same thing; the 748 might be a bit bigger, but that appears to be about it. The 5360 seems to go for about $30-40, while the 748 is more like $90-110, so just what is that extra $70 for???

Both models can be seen here: http://www.americanlock.com . Can't seem to link straight to the right page, so just click on product search, click 'application' under 'padlocks', search for anything, and then just tell it to 'show all'. The 748 is on the first page and the 5360 is on the second page.

[Shrub]

They appear to be differant sizes to me unless im looking at the wrong thing.

One is also available in 5 pin as well.

[devildog]

Yeah, the 748 is slightly larger, and has 6 pins instead of 5, but that doesn't account for it being more than double the price. Sorry for the late reply, I didn't think anyone ever responded to this and just now saw it.

I really would like to know whats up with the 748, since I've got 3 of them right now and am selling 2 of them (one's on ebay right now). U.S. lockies that really know the American line, I'd love to hear your opinion on this.

[Bud Wiser]

thanks for the 748 on ebay

[devildog]

HAHA!! That was you???? I was going to email you back after you said you were an amateur picker and tell you to check out lp101! I shipped it along with your other locks today, by the way.

I've got another one listed up there now that, this time, I'm willing to ship anywhere in the world, so I'd love to see one of our non-U.S. members win it so they can see what's probably the best non-highsecurity padlock made in the U.S.

[Shrub]

Whats the link then matey

[devildog]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260013861367&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=016


You know, I was thinking about doing this but I wasn't sure if there would be enough interest, but since at least shrub seems interested, I'll go ahead and do it: any non-U.S. lp101 member who wins this auction will receive a discount on the shipping, and will only have to pay what someone inside the U.S. would for shipping: $11.00. If you're a LP101 member, outside the U.S., AT THE TIME OF THIS POST (this is to keep someone from winning the auction and then joining just to get the discount), and you win this auction just PM me through lp101 to let me know and I'll knock the shipping and handling down to $11.00 for you.

I'm doing this in the hopes that one of our non-U.S. members can get to see a nice example of a quality American-made padlock, since Master seems to have soured our reputation

It does have the typical American keyway, in that it's nice and wide with little warding, but I think you'll find the combination of 6 pins and that all the key pins being serrated along with all the drivers being either serrated spools or regular serrated drivers to be quite a difficult pick.

[Shrub]

AHH, i saw your other one and wonderd if the dollor bill came with it lol

How about a bank transfer?

[devildog]

Yeah, we can do that. I know you don't like paypal (neither do I but you have to use them to do business on ebay )

Ok, here's a photo I did so everyone can get an idea of the size of this monster and have something familiar to compare it to. I've got the 748 there in the middle, and the other locks are a Master combo lock, Abloy PL-330, and a Chubb Battleship:

[unbreakable]

Hey devildog, you're the same guy that sold that tight abloy padlock factory cutaway, aren't you?

Man, that was a nice lock, I bid, but lost

Maybe Ill win the 748......

[Bud Wiser]

Oh so your the guy I was bidding against but WON!

you! You made me spend more then I wanted to on it

[devildog]

I've always wondered how many people that bid on the locks that I do are lp101 members...ok, anybody want to own up and one of these is them? These are people I consistently see buying/selling exotic locks and cutaways:

ncsecure
keyrite
roxley
oldpadlocks
orionaudio
safeman2

I already know who a couple other people are that buy/sell this stuff a lot on ebay, and if they want to pop into this thread and say hi, they can, but I'll leave that up to them.

[radagast]

Hi,
I am pretty new to lock picking. I can pick any Master Lock that I have tried, but apparantly that's not much of an accomplishment. I have a lock that I want to pick. It is an American Lock Co 5260. I can't get it open. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this lock or one of the same series? What is the best pick/technique to use? I read that American uses "mushroom and spool pins" in some of their padlocks. Could this be why it seems so hard for me to pick this one? Or do I just need to keep trying?

Also, after researching this lock, it seems that it does NOT have a double steel ball locking mechanism like the 3000 series does. Can anyone verify that this is correct? Could I use a shim? (It is currently locked and I don't have the key, so I can't tell.)

Can I use the AM700 opening tool? An advertisement for it says it will work with the "5100 & also all American Non-Key Retaining Padlocks. (Does not work on new stylelocks with shields installed)"
Does the 5260 have a shield to prevent this tool from being used?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Regards,
Radagast

[unbreakable]

Can I use the AM700 opening tool? An advertisement for it says it will work with the "5100 & also all American Non-Key Retaining Padlocks. (Does not work on new stylelocks with shields installed)"
Does the 5260 have a shield to prevent this tool from being used?

If youre a hobby picker, just keep trying to pick it.

Is there any reason you so desperately want this lock opened?
Can you post a pic of it unattached to anything?

Sorry if I come across as an @sshat, we sometimes get people with the wrong intentions on this site, I hope I haven't offended you, but your post just seems a little fishy.

Welcome to the site