masterlock combo, ball bearing...safe??

[pyromaniacdave]

hi everyone, i use a masterlock combo not the regular 1s, its ball bearing. Is it a safe lock?? Assuming a theif does not have bolt cutters and diddnt shoulder surf it is unopenable, there is no way to shim it (its dbl ball bearing) n theres nothing to pick(duh, combo lock) I use this as a gym locker and was wondering if this is safe. Thx in advance

[Raymond]

I do not remember the model number but these are some of Master's better locks. You could do a lot worse with almost anything else.

[zeke79]

Is it an actual "Dial" combo lock or one with the four wheels on bottom similar to the 175? Either way, a ball bearing locking padlock for a gym locker lock is a pretty good choice.

[Eyes_Only]

Back in high school my locker was broken into twice because the thief was able to force the padlock open because it was the standard 1500 combo lock that used a spring bolt to hold the shackle. A padlock with a ball bearing locking feature should be able to withstand more abuse than most other Master 1500 style combo locks.

[blake1803]

I vaguely remember my school requiring its students to buy locks from the school itself. Similar to the Master 1500, but with a control key. The 1525, maybe? Could have been a generic knockoff. In any case, theft was rampant but there wasn't a thing the students could do about it because outside locks weren't allowed.

So, be glad you at least have an option!

Dave, if you take a look around http://www.masterlock.com/ and find the lock you're talking about, we'll be better able to tell you how secure it is.

[nekret]

If it is the master 2002, 2010, or titanium series, there is a lengthy and detailed process posted online about how to manipulate these locks. Shimming won't open it but a kid with some practice might. The titanium series are especially easy since they can be manipulated the same way as the 1500 and takes me about 5 minutes to run through all the possible combinations. I however cannot speak directly for the 2002/2010 as I don't have them myself but some claim they are easier to manipulate than the 1500s.

That being said, take a look at the Sargent & Greenleaf 8077 or 8088. supposedly there is some form of bypass/decoding for the 8088 but I have been unable to find it. Both of those padlocks are more or less safe locks in padlock clothing and takes ~35 minutes for an expert to manipulate. eBay is a great source for these S&G locks as you can get them fairly inexpensively and a few sellers will set a custom combination on it if you ask.

[Afisch]

Sounds like a good lock to use to me, the amount of time it coukd take to manipulate combo locks makes it not worth the bother unless you really know what your doing. The main worries you have in a gym locker would be shimming i would have thought. Might also be worth checking what the padlock atatches to is secure. Then i'd say your stuffs as safe as its gona be without bringing a safe with you.

[muskratt]

master combos are very easy to shim my recommendation is to use a piece of an aluminum can and super glue it around the bottom of the shackle but not where shackle hooks. this will not allow them to stick a shim down it.

[RockInBlack]

Are you talking about this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-2001DPF-Professional-Combination/dp/B00004Y8DK/ref=sr_1_44/002-9442315-2830428?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1182045010&sr=1-44
I am actually considering getting that one.

[Eyes_Only]

I thought that was a older design.

[Raymond]

From what I have seen, these are really tough locks. Has anyone worked out a quick system to manipulate them open? They can be drilled and plugged to read the combo.

[Shrub]

If these can not be shimmed and can not be manipulated easily i am starting to think discussion of manipulating them in the open forums is not the right thing to have,

Can some regulars chirp in with your opinon,

I mean whats the rating on them for a start as i guess that should give us a good idea,