Comparing North American and European ABUS Rock 83/80

[GWiens2001]

Comparing the ABUS Rock US vs European Versions

Now have two ABUS Rock 83/80 padlocks. On another thread, MacGNG showed a picture of the lock cylinder for the North American version. That made me think that a side-by-side comparison might be of some interest.

First, these are not little locks. Here are a couple pictures of the two ABUS locks, with a Master #3 padlock and a standard mortise lock cylinder mixed in. Can you spot the Master?



How about the side view…



Rather than compare shackle sizes, how about just comparing the shackle of the ABUS to the entire lock body of the Master?



OK, one last size comparison - the Master padlock vs the Scandinavian oval lock cylinder:



Now let's compare ABUS to ABUS. What are the differences? First, and most obviously, is the milling for the lock cylinders. On the right is the European version for the oval cylinder, on the left is the North American version. At the end, you can see that the actuators are different. The North American version has a spring return, and is not key retaining. The European version is key retaining.



The lock cylinders themselves:







The lock cylinders and their respective keys and cylinder retaining plates:



The cylinder retaining plates flipped over. This is the side that normally faces the inside of the lock body…



Are the cylinder retaining plates interchangeable? First, here is how the North American cylinder retaining plate fits with the correct (North American) cylinder:



And the oval cylinder retaining plate on the North American cylinder:



Houston, we have a problem.

How about the other way around? Oval plate and cylinder…



North American plate and oval cylinder…



Well, that seems to fit just fine!

So the North American cylinder retaining plate can be used on either the North American or European lock body. However, the European lock's retaining plate is not interchangeable.

And one final difference. Very minor, but it exists. The retaining plate screws use different tools. North American = phillips #3 screwdriver, European version = T27 Torx driver.



Hope this clarifies any questions. If not, ASK!!!

Gordon

[fgarci03]

Gordon,

Do you think there are any differences in security between these 2 locks? Like some flaw that might be exploited on one that the other doesn't have? No need to be exaustive on the open forums, but I wonder if there is any


I hate you for having 2 of them and me none.... Just so you know it

[GWiens2001]

The biggest security flaw in the North American cylinder is the lock cylinder itself. Schlage C keyway, only 5 pins. However, looks like that can be remedied by swapping a decent KIK cylinder (with the ABUS adapter) into the lock. Will have to try it soon. Maybe Medeco or MTL. Too bad I don't have a ProTec KIK cylinder. Oh, I know! The ScanLock KIK cylinder from Zeke!

As for the ovals, may swap the Pfaffenhain oval cylinder for an ASSA D12.

Essentially, the biggest weakness that I can see in either lock is what this site is all about... Picking.

Gordon