So, my dad tells me today he got a self storage space. While discussing the security of the storage with the manager he mentioned that I could pick most common locks with relative ease. The manager laughs and tells him that they have pick proof locks. I asked my dad what type of lock they used. All he could tell me was that it was a chapman lock (that's what my dad always calls tubular locks). At first I thought he might be mistaken and the lock might be a disc tumbler lock but he seemed convinced it was a chapman lock.
Later in the day we had to stop by the storage place. The manager tells me that their locks are pick proof. Right away I can tell he probably doesn't know what he's talking about since he seems so confident that their locks are IMPOSSIBLE to pick and anyone in the physical security industry should know that no lock is absolutely impossible to pick. I brush it off, at this point I'm just interested to see the lock. He then mentions that a guy lost $500 dollars in a bet that he could pick the lock. Then he adds "and HE was a locksmith". Finally he says "So whenever you feel like giving me money, feel free" or something like that.
Now I was just annoyed. I walked in, never said anything to this manager, never even said I could pick locks nor asked about the security of their institution. But this guy just had to be arrogant and try to put himself above me. Once again, I brush it off.
So he hands my dad the keys and we head to our space. I take a look at the keys...my dad was right...plain old run of the mill tubular lock key. We get to the storage space, plain old run of the mill 7 pin tubular lock. At this point I'm just saying "wow". I can't seem to find any added security. Now all I can think about is this being an excuse to finally buy a tubular lock pick, learn how to use it, and cut this guy down to size.
I did a little research on the lock. Its made by a brand called LAI. They claim to have pick proof* locks. Following the * leads to a statement saying that it only applies to the "600 series" (aka their disc tumbler locks). Everything seems run of the mill including their website.
But then it finally hits me, these locks have an "overlock" system. Basically, by putting a different key in and "turning it 90 degrees" you lock out the system. It doesn't disengage the lock but it stops the tenant from getting in (useful if they failed to pay bill, etc.). The only diagram I find on the site shows the internals of a standard tubular lock. But I'm trying to figure out how this overlock system works, and further, I'm wondering if it would prevent or resist a normal attack. Maybe it uses an extra sheer line or something? I have no clue. The company and the lock don't seem very sophisticated but maybe some simple feature could add security.
I don't quite buy the whole locksmith failing to pick the lock story, unless he tried picking it with normal tools and just got stuck with the constant resets every 1/7 of a turn. But, how does this lock work? I'm not concerned with the security of the storage, no three letter agency is coming after my family and wants to steal our furniture. I'm just interested to see what this lock is about.
Once again the company is LAI. It's their tubular lock, one they call the stop/go enforcer, or sometimes just the enforcer or the 500 series. It is not their disc tumbler lock though.
Links:
http://www.laigroup.com/lockbook2007/lockbook2007_20-21.html
http://www.laigroup.com/ocat/storage/pg9.htm
http://www.laigroup.com/ocat/storage/pg10.htm
http://www.laigroup.com/ocat/storage/pg11.htm
Google can't find much on these guys...
Thanks for reading my long thread. This thing is just killing me.
