Plastic Lock?!

[Jedilocksmith]

So, I went down to the local salvage store here in town to buy some "new" old locks to play with. I found 6or7 amongst the rubble but one of them had me scratching my head. It is an Ace brand lock, it definitely has some age on it, but what boggles me is that it has a plastic plug! Granted ive only been picking locks for a year or so but i have never seen anything like this. I mean, I now about saving on costs but, come on. What do you think it was securing? Anyone else run into any locks like this?

[GWiens2001]

I have seen a few plastic plugs before. Those locks are perfect for securing your boxes constructed of Jello gelatin or gummy worms. The box will break before the lock gives up the ghost!

Gordon

[vinnie]

and if you really can't get to your gummy worms you just melt the lock!

[Darkness1569]

I don’t know, with a plastic plug it would be good for a really low security item in a really corrosive environment. Like a fire extinguisher on a beach side building. you know the ones with the glass case that says break for emergencies, why they puts locks on them is beyond me.

[Jedilocksmith]

I have seen a few plastic plugs before. Those locks are perfect for securing your boxes constructed of Jello gelatin or gummy worms. The box will break before the lock gives up the ghost!

Gordon

lmoa!! Thanks, I needed a good laugh today.

I suppose that does make a sense to use them in a corrosive environment, ie beach etc. But the weird thing is that Im as far away from ALL the beeches as you can get being in Omaha, Ne. Plus, there are metals that dont corrode that they could have used instead of plastic, like aluminum. And im pretty sure they use plan ole cam locks on those fire extinguisher box thingies.

You can actually see in the keyway where the key has "smooshed" the plastic on the top so much that it has permanently locked the 1st pin into place. It is very easy to pick, once I pull my bogota out the lock gets scared and pops open by itself.

I just dont see why someone would buy and use a lock that could be defeated with a well placed butter knife held over a lighter for a few seconds.

[Altashot]

Some cars used a plastic plug in their door locks.
I have also made keys to a snowmobile that had a plastic ignition lock.
They can also be found on cheap file cabinets and fire panels.
I have worked on a few heavy duty on/off switches that were all plastic.
I was basicaly told that if the machine was to become electrified due to a bad ground,
the plastic lock isolates the key user from completing the circuit.

In this case the plastic lock wins.
Obviously they are not very secure but they are safe.

M.

[MrWizard]

When you Ace brand I think of tubular locks but appears that is not what you are talking about. Many RV's, Campers, Winnebago's, Sport Vehicles, use them on the utility doors because they are exposed to more extreme weather and dirt conditions. If they get jammed up it is easy to get it open without damaging the doors. If they have a square front to them most likely this is what they were on.

Richard

[zeepia]

Like a fire extinguisher on a beach side building. you know the ones with the glass case that says break for emergencies, why they puts locks on them is beyond me.

I prefer them to have been locked, drunk teens aren´t so eager to break the glass.
But if it wasn´t locked there would be more messing around with those extinguishers...

[georgethelocksmith]

Did you think the fact that the plastic lock want to be introduced to kids?

[Darkness1569]

I prefer them to have been locked, drunk teens aren´t so eager to break the glass.
But if it wasn´t locked there would be more messing around with those extinguishers...

Good point… I never thing about the drunk people factor

[GWiens2001]

Most people never even notice that their locks have plastic parts. We notice details about locks as a matter of habit because of our hobby, or work in the case of our locksmiths.

Gordon

[Darkness1569]

Good point… I never thing about the drunk people factor

Think*

[Jedilocksmith]

Man, I wish I could post a picture of it. Looks like I have to download another photo album program, put the pics in there, then post them here? Seems a bit weird, but I will try and get it done after the weekend.

Its just a "normal" pin cylinder lock. Possibly used on a deadbolt; as it still has the long skinny piece of metal off of the back of it for operating the bolt.

Pictures to come.

[MrWizard]

Here is a great picture viewing program free no spyware/adware FastStone Image Viewer. I got the portable version that doesn't need installed but it might be easier for you to use the installer version. Has some really good editing features check it out.

http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

Richard

[Evan]

I don’t know, with a plastic plug it would be good for a really low security item in a really corrosive environment. Like a fire extinguisher on a beach side building. you know the ones with the glass case that says break for emergencies, why they puts locks on them is beyond me.

@Darkness1569:

Because unlocked fire extinguisher cabinets provide blunt instrumentation to anyone who happens by that makes use of them, such cabinets also leave the extinguishers open to tampering or being used to make a mess by vandals...

You need some kind of lock on the cabinet because it would be stupid to have to break the glass every time you needed to inspect or replace the extinguishers, something which takes place on as often as a quarterly basis in some building occupancy categories...

Even the cheesiest lock can be used to provide what amounts to a permanent reusable tamper-seal...

~~ Evan