I come to you again for suggestions

[maestrodt]

Alright, I need some suggestions of where to go next. I'm confident picking some American 1100s/1105s and Master ProSeries 6840... and various other locks around or below that level.

Where should I go from here ... ?

[GWiens2001]

Have you tried Medeco, Mul-T-Lock MT5+, BiLock or Abloy?

But seriously, have you tried either the American 5200 series or a Commando lock? They both have their challenges.

Gordon

[maestrodt]

Nope. I haven't tried any of those. I was sort of hoping for some specific models I could go ebay shopping for. I'll check out the American 5200.

[lockr]

Nope. I haven't tried any of those. I was sort of hoping for some specific models I could go ebay shopping for. I'll check out the American 5200.

Gordon, what specific challenges are you referring to with the 5200's?

In my experience (I have quite a number of American padlocks, somewhere around 15 of them in my collection) I have noticed that the security pins seem to be fairly random; for example I have opened up 1100s where I have found just one spool pin and others with four. I bought a 5200 years ago and I seem to recall it had three. Regardless the 5[2,3,4,5]00s use the same cylinder as the 1[2,3]00s, which is either the APTC12 (5 pin, drilled for 6), or the APTC14 (6 pin). I rekey my locks as soon as I get them so I don't remember if the 5200 was pinned for 6 out of the box, but I bought a 5400 recently and came pinned for 6.

I'm not convinced there's any rhyme or reason to how Amercan locks are pinned by model, but this observation is based on my (fairly small) sample of American locks (if anyone is in the know, please feel free to correct me on this)

Why not pick up an American Lock pinning kit (the basic PK1 kit runs about $25US) and get some keys cut to code? This is what I did, I got a local locksmith to cut me a bunch of 5 and 6 pin keys to some complex bittings, then I keyed up the cylinders myself, varying the types of driver pins. All American driver pins are serrated which is really awesome. These locks offer good value for money if you're looking for a challenge without spending too much.

[GWiens2001]

It is the serrated pins that challenge me the most. The newer 5200 locks are quite easy, due to lack of anything but a bump-stop pin.

[lockr]

It is the serrated pins that challenge me the most. The newer 5200 locks are quite easy, due to lack of anything but a bump-stop pin.

I agree, the serrated pins are irritating.. in a good way! The vicious pins that you find in pretty much every one of these locks is one of the things that I really do like about American locks. On the other hand, well Master owns them now so i'd far rather support someone like Pacific Lock, but I can't find anyone here that carries them, and they won't sell directly to the public (understandable, although frustrating).

Since this topic came up, I figured now was a good time to open up the new 5400. Here's the internals; 3 of those evil spools in this one.

[Teddy Picker]

Hitting a Schlage, but the more restricted keyway makes it hard to maneuver my Bogotas (only picks I have). So the answer is one Kwikset, pinned to four pins.

[maestrodt]

Hitting a Schlage, but the more restricted keyway makes it hard to maneuver my Bogotas (only picks I have). So the answer is one Kwikset, pinned to four pins.

Wait, you're saying I should move to a Kwikset keyway modified down to 4 pins? Doesn't that seem... quite a step back from 5/6-pin American/Master/Schlage?

[Teddy Picker]

Hitting a Schlage, but the more restricted keyway makes it hard to maneuver my Bogotas (only picks I have). So the answer is one Kwikset, pinned to four pins.

Wait, you're saying I should move to a Kwikset keyway modified down to 4 pins? Doesn't that seem... quite a step back from 5/6-pin American/Master/Schlage?

Hm, I think I intended to post this to the "What did you pick today?" thread.

[maestrodt]

Hitting a Schlage, but the more restricted keyway makes it hard to maneuver my Bogotas (only picks I have). So the answer is one Kwikset, pinned to four pins.

Wait, you're saying I should move to a Kwikset keyway modified down to 4 pins? Doesn't that seem... quite a step back from 5/6-pin American/Master/Schlage?

Hm, I think I intended to post this to the "What did you pick today?" thread.

You had me very confused, sir!