Question about cheap padlocks

[Dr. Bint]

You've all seen them. They sell them at just about every corner store or gas station for little more than a couple of GBP. What I'd like to know is, how many pins do these things actually have? I bought one out of curiosity a while ago, and they're incredibly easy to pick. Either they only have a couple of pins, or you only need to set one or two and the rest set automatically. It's ridiculous... I can pick this lock in a couple of seconds, with some tension and wiggling the pick a little.

Any ideas?

[mcm757207]

You can find out how many pins are in a lock by inserting the flat edge of a pick all the way to the back of the lock, lifting all the pins and once, and slowly pulling the pick back out. Count the clicks.

[mbell]

I think such cheap and nasty padlocks should be banned from sale. But that's just my opinion.

I spent a couple of hours one day trying to find as many ways as possible to open such padlocks. These were £1-ish brass padlocks, you know the ones I mean.

I found ten simple ways to bypass or pick them in under 2 minutes (Destructive/Non-Destructive).

Anyone who locks valubles up with such padlocks deserves their goods to be stolen (OK, so that's a bit harsh but you catch my drift).

To answer your question though, most are four or five pins.

[toomush2drink]

Anyone who thinks a £1 lock is going to protect anything should have their head tested. Where i used to work people always wanted luggage padlocks which is really what we are talking about here and they always wanted the cheapest and then asked if they were any good !! I used to say "would you lock your bike up with it ?"
It astounds me that people are willing to pay loads on valuable items but are loathe to spend anything preventing its theft until it gets stolen. The way i see it if you secure your property up as best possible the thief is going to look for an easier target.

[Dr. Bint]

You can find out how many pins are in a lock by inserting the flat edge of a pick all the way to the back of the lock, lifting all the pins and once, and slowly pulling the pick back out. Count the clicks.

Now why didn't I think of that?

I think such cheap and nasty padlocks should be banned from sale. But that's just my opinion.

I agree. I can't understand why anyone would want to use one for anything. They're just as easy to pick than the tiny ones you get to put on suitcases.

[OpenSays-a-me]

Most of those cheap locks aren't exactly bought for absolute security.

Particularly the suitcase locks. It may hinder someone from rifling around in your bag while your not looking at the airport... but if they steal the whole case no lock in the world is gonna save you....They get your suitcase and your fancy lock.

Criminals usually take the path of least resistance.

Youve heard that a lock is no better than the door it's in, same thing.

I'm particularly amused when I see somebody with a 50 dollar padlock on one of those cheesy bike cables.

[OpenSays-a-me]

whoops, accidentally submitted without finishing my thought...

The same goes for bikes... or things of that nature that you would chain for short periods of time.

Those crooks will most often come armed with bolt cutters, not lock picks.

A friend of mine works security on a university campus... nedless to say there alot of bike thefts. Usuall the only thing the person gets back is there lock and chain the criminal politely left at the scene.

[stratmando]

It does show deliberatly opening as opposed to "accidentally" opening.

[Solomon]

It does show deliberatly opening as opposed to "accidentally" opening.

Well this was definately worth bumping... I must admit I got a giggle out of how much of a newb I was back then, but come on!!! If a thread is 6 years old it really should be left where it is. Especially when it's about crappy toy padlocks that nobody cares about.

[stratmando]

I have to watch the dates on these, I have answered on a couple of old posts. I agree they should be locked or be able to post.
What is the length of time does it take to make a Post too Old to reply to? Thanks
If a question hasn't been answered for 5 years, is it better to provide an answer, or leave unanswered?
Plus, an accumulation of answers is better than stopping due to a date.
That is unless we feel that 5 years ago, we had all the answers.

[Solomon]

No idea, I'd say anything more than a year old should be left alone unless some new information has come to light that just has to be added to it. If the question hasn't been answered in the thread itself, and the thread sinks away, it's gone because the original poster has gotten their answers elsewhere or figured it out for themselves and they don't care to bump the thread anymore.

Take this question, for example. If you wanna know how many pins are in a lock, count them with your pick. Simple as that... or if you really suck, just count the cuts on the key. Question answered, thread can die.