Buying Locks

by **bockman** » 5 Mar 2008 22:23

Hey all,

I know most of us like to collect locks and whatnot, but what is your personal limit to buying them? I try not to spend too much money on them, trying to get them from other means, but it's hard to not spend money to get a lot of locks. Do you have a spending limit? How do you limit yourself?

by **vitti** » 5 Mar 2008 22:35

I don't really have a set limit. I just pick one up now and then.

While on the subject though, I have a question for the professional locksmiths here...

Is it common practice for locksmiths to save old locks or do you usually throw them away? I've thought about asking a local locksmith if they have any they'd like to sell but didn't want to make a fool of myself. Also, if I do go this route should I be forthcoming about why I want them or should I have a 'story'? I assume that the average locksmith isn't so keen on the idea of lockpicking by the general public.

Thanks

(hopefully i'm not hijacking the thread as this could prove useful for the OP too)

by **keysman** » 5 Mar 2008 22:57

vitti wrote: Is it common practice for locksmiths to save old locks or do you usually throw them away? I've thought about asking a local locksmith if they have any they'd like to sell but didn't want to make a fool of myself.

Ask around .. most shops have tons of old trash locks .. some good .. some just around for parts..
I would be honest ... just tell him/ her you want to learn something about locks .. I wouldn't deny picking, but at the same time I wouldn't make it an issue.. you just want to learn about locks.

by **bockman** » 5 Mar 2008 23:03

One trick I've gathered is posting in the "Wanted" section of Craigslist. Just say that you collect locks, and will pay a small price for them. People usually want to get rid of them, and occasionally have interesting locks. One man who contacted me has an old lever padlock that I'm interested in.

by **eurolock fan** » 5 Mar 2008 23:56

keysman wrote:
vitti wrote: Is it common practice for locksmiths to save old locks or do you usually throw them away? I've thought about asking a local locksmith if they have any they'd like to sell but didn't want to make a fool of myself.

Ask around .. most shops have tons of old trash locks .. some good .. some just around for parts..
I would be honest ... just tell him/ her you want to learn something about locks .. I wouldn't deny picking, but at the same time I wouldn't make it an issue.. you just want to learn about locks.

When I first started I asked a local locksmith if I could get some old locks for cheap to practice lockpicking on and he didn't have any but he gave me some new ones(old inventory that had never been used) for free and another time when I bought $80.00 worth of locks he threw in $20 in new locks and some HPC picks.

by **vision688** » 6 Mar 2008 21:45

i get most of mine online or ebay good deals

by **totenkov** » 6 Mar 2008 22:30

I simply went into a Tidey Lock and Key and said that I pick locks for a hobby, have run out and would like to buy a few of his old or discarded ones. I walked out with a canvas bag full of locks that the guy was more than happy to give away, encouraging me to become a locksmith.

by **JackNco** » 6 Mar 2008 23:51

depends on the lock... incredible i don't think ive strayed over 25/30 GBP (50/60USD) but i have locks in my collection probably worth 160GBP (320USD) or over. for basic locks i try not to spend more than 4GBP ($8) but if its a decent lock or something a bit rare ill splash out.

If you are just starting out limit your self to basic pin tumblers but after a year you will start buying locks just because you want to get your hands on one.

John

by **Afisch** » 7 Mar 2008 2:56

I've been trying to get Euro cylinders for Ã‚Â£2.50 each on ebay as job lots.

by **paulvalente** » 7 Mar 2008 3:01

A so it's you bidding on those lots of 11 and 8 euro cylinders I've been watching is it?

Curse you!!

I just bought a couple of nice bits off there the other day actually.

Good luck with your current auctions!

by **JackNco** » 7 Mar 2008 10:47

my record is 9p each plus postage

by **hydruh** » 7 Mar 2008 12:24

I have been lusting for lockboards - those display blocks wit h8 locks that they have at hardware stores. The local ACE hardware just closed, and I got the boards and about 15 other locks for $60 at the online auction. Before that they had a open sale for everything at 80% off.

THAT is the way to buy locks. Between the auction and the sale I probably got 30 locks and padlocks for about 80 bucks.

S

by **SnowyBoy** » 7 Mar 2008 22:35

I don't have a set limit.....If i like a lock, I'll buy it

Obviously there are some locks I still want, Evva MCS, Evva 3KS, Kaba Quattro etc etc but they are a little bit too pricey for locks I'll be taking appart & possibly cutting away.

I will own them all though

by **Grifter** » 8 Mar 2008 3:02

It seems like a lot of people look down on other pickers for buying their locks new, though I've never had a problem with it. If you've got the coin and you don't mind paying for it, buy it.

Not everyone wants to spend the time hunting down a used lock for six months just to get it for half price. It all depends what you think your time is worth.

If you have a job that pays $10/hr and you spend 5 hours looking for a used lock to save yourself $20, did you really save anything?

For some people it's about the hunt, and yes sometimes that's nice. But for me, I'd rather spend the extra hours playing with my son.

by **SnowyBoy** » 8 Mar 2008 9:26

Grifter wrote:
Not everyone wants to spend the time hunting down a used lock for six months just to get it for half price. It all depends what you think your time is worth.

The reason I would buy a new lock over an old one is simply because I know its brand new & not likely to be stiff from being weathered.

Buying Locks

Buying Locks

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