So what's the difference anyway ?

[RangerF150]

OK , so im a n00b , i bought a *euro* pick set , cos i live in Europe, yeah that kinda makes sense !

But i got Varjeals lock , and hey it's the same as my front door lock , by that i mean the key size is the same . But if does seem to work in a different way , but that don't matter ...

So im trying to figure "what's a Euro lock" ?

Now ,i think i have it figured , i hope !

Are we talkin about the type of lock used on a uPVC / aluminium door?
The one that is held in by a lousy little screw?
Which does have a little key as compared to the type lock i have on my door , a timber door ( an Abus, same as a Basta ) type lock .
What i know as a *latchkey* lock ....


It's kinda getting me a tad confused !

On the basis that really the main bulk of locks here have the same *keyway* as those in the US , can someone please tell me *exactly* what consitiutes a Euro lock !

Sorry if this is a thick question !

Thanks four you time ...

[skold]

this is a euro lock:




it is usually fitted in alluminium doors, their keyways are just a tad tighter than normal

[pinky]

the picture is of a half euro or a single euro known by both names, iseo is a good lock but picks on electric pick gun easily.
euro profile locks are found on upvc and alluminium doors mostly , but are lso fitted in mortice cases to wooden doors.
the european euro profiles are slightly bigger in size in size , but all are still only pin cylinders and pick the same as any other pin cylinder, some will be easier than others, some are 5 , 6 or 7 pin and some have restrictive and some larger keyways.

[skold]

i have also noticed that their keys (unless rekeyed) have very little difference in cuts, and generally have deeper cuts than normal

[RangerF150]

Great stuff guys, thanks!

Actually funny you should mention that , i was at work today and came across some uPVC patio doors that were being dumped.
I rescued the lock it is an "iseo" lock , i picked all the pins except one
But im close !

Thanks for your time , at least i now know what a Euro lock is !

[Eagerpicker]

this is a euro lock:

it is usually fitted in alluminium doors, their keyways are just a tad tighter than normal

Or in wooden doors, or in steel doors, or in whatever kind of material doors. These locks are by no means used exclusively in UPVC or aluminium doors.

[RangerF150]

Yup, i've seen this type of lock in new timber doors.

But does anybody agree that they are a pretty lousy lock !
I got it out of the patio door , with a light smack of a hammer on the face of it.

I was workin , and in a hurry to get the lock out as it was in a skip which was being quickly filled with muck , hence the hammer

The whole lock slid out nice and clean , i guess if the door was alarmed the hammer blow would set the alarm off , but a thief would still get in pretty quick and out again , a smash and grab job .

Im gonna have to review security on my own patio door , i am not to happy with the ease of opening it .

[toomush2drink]

Not all euros are that easy to remove, what with the various ways of picking and attacking them there are quite few designs that have protection built in to guard against this. Also if the right size was fitted it would have been flush with the door surface.
You can get them with snapping,drill,fire,and picking protection, also a lot of different restricted keyways.
Some even use magnets and some in the evva range are advertised as having "100% pick protection" in the sales blurb.

[pinky]

if you are willing to pay for it , you can now get these fitted with a transponder similar to cars, most wont just hammer clean out though many will.

i still believe upvc doors are the biggest con on the market, yes it may have 6 bolts/hooks, but it only has 1 keyway , ans as people buy the cheapest cylinder they can, it may be an intricate and clever locking system, but its only as good as the cylinder in it.

[RangerF150]

Yeah toomush i had to remove the door handle to hit it .
Door handle held on by 2 crosshead bolts !Took all of 5-6 seconds to sort that out
Or a nail punch would do it if you could not remove the handle.


But i hear ya , in terms of picking etc. but that don't stop a light hammer blow
As picks go it's hardly elegant but it did work !

I do think they should be better secured .
But all this is good , as i learn more about lockpickin i learn more about how to make something a bit more secure , a good lesson i think !

Thanks dude !

[RangerF150]

Agreed Pinky , they are a bit of a con.
I prefer my front door , timber , a ABUS latchkey and a 5 lever Chubb .
Slightly more secure i think , i hope !

[Chris B]

[pinky]

depends, il open your chubb in 5 minutes.
if i am to reccomend any lock to a customer i would go for solid timber door, bs3621 5 lever or 7 lever lock every time, but alas when faced with a quality lock burglars smash a window.

[Romstar]

Lexan is becoming more and more my material of choice for replacing window glass.

Romstar

[toomush2drink]

Just come back from visiting a mates new house and i noticed it had a banham deadlocking latch and a banham mortice deadlock and also hinge bolts on the front door, well impressed i looked at the back door to see a 3 lever era .
Why oh why do people do this ? The front door must have cost in excess of £200 to secure up only to have spent about £15 on the back door.

Just like pinky said our burglars smash a window or avoid the secure door.

Ps anyone got any tips for banham ? They look like a nasty opening what with the hardplate escutcheons.