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Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Thinking of upgrading your door security? Getting a better deadbolt or padlock? Getting a new frame or better hinges? Not sure what brand or model to go with for your particular application? Need a recommendation? Feel free to ask for advice here!

Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 14 Dec 2013 16:11

I am looking for small keyed padlocks, around 20mm bodies, but up to 30mm could be acceptable. This is for reviews and my personal lock picking goals.

I prefer new locks which are commercially available. They locks do not need to be particularly good or recommended, just available. I plan on picking, bypassing, and potentially reviewing the lock.

I've gotten a few already, such as the Master Lock 120 series, but if one knows of any locks which fit the requirements, I'd appreciate the information.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby Altashot » 14 Dec 2013 17:37

Micota or Guard may fit the bill.

M.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 14 Dec 2013 20:09

Searching for "Micota padlock" or "Guard padlock" did not seem to yield any useful results prominently.

However, I found in my searches a few locks of interest from China, and the Abus Titalium series has a 20mm lock.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby GWiens2001 » 14 Dec 2013 20:34

ABLOY makes a decent small lock.

Gordon
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 14 Dec 2013 21:08

GWiens2001 wrote:ABLOY makes a decent small lock.

Gordon

The Alboy PL 321 is too large for my purposes. Do they make anything smaller? I'm specifically interested in pin tumber locks, but if there are other mechanisms more secure in an < 30mm I'd be interested in them.

Maybe after getting the 20mm locks all picked and reviewed, I can move onto 30mm locks. That size seems to offer more room for a better lock.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby Squelchtone » 14 Dec 2013 22:31

HerrMannelig wrote:
GWiens2001 wrote:ABLOY makes a decent small lock.

Gordon

The Alboy PL 321 is too large for my purposes. Do they make anything smaller? I'm specifically interested in pin tumber locks, but if there are other mechanisms more secure in an < 30mm I'd be interested in them.

Maybe after getting the 20mm locks all picked and reviewed, I can move onto 30mm locks. That size seems to offer more room for a better lock.


How is a PL321 too large? It's a peanut of a padlock.. the only thing smaller I can think of is those micro master padlocks to lock up zippers on Jan Sport back packs. or maybe some walmart TSA luggage crap made of plastic.

The only other small common padlocks are Master 140, unless I misunderstood your specifications as to what you're working on and why the size constraint is so specific.

Thanks
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 15 Dec 2013 6:15

Squelchtone wrote:How is a PL321 too large? It's a peanut of a padlock.. the only thing smaller I can think of is those micro master padlocks to lock up zippers on Jan Sport back packs. or maybe some walmart TSA luggage crap made of plastic.

I'm looking for 20mm or similarly sized padlock. But, I will be looking at 30mm padlocks next.

The only other small common padlocks are Master 140, unless I misunderstood your specifications as to what you're working on and why the size constraint is so specific.

Thanks
Squelchtone


Master #130 and Master #7 are smaller than the 140 series too.

I am looking for a variety of tiny padlocks for picking and review purposes.

I sold all my locks, and now I am setting new picking goals.

Originally, I set a goal of being able to pick a common lock with a few spool pins as my picking goal. After I reached that, I wanted more, and set a goal of picking Commando and Abus locks, which have more security pins. Now that I can do that, and the next step is other locking mechanisms, more expensive locks, or old locks, I find myself outside of my interest on locks which are commonly encountered.

But I've found small locks to be challenging and fun. A lot of good pickers don't seem to like such likes. There are garbage tiny wafer locks, TSA locks, but there are also pin tumbler locks which are potentially useful.

Luggage locks are an important security concern, due to the legal obligation concerning one's baggage. There are many legal concerns about locking one's luggage and then letting it out of one's sight, and then claiming it without any consideration it may have been opened and altered.

If I cannot find a lock which is reasonably difficult to pick and which cannot be bypassed, I think it would be good to demonstrate that such locks are dangerous to trust, because they can be easily opened and relocked without any warning.

Even the TSA locks which indicate they have been unlocked do not do that when picked the right way. But TSA security theatre is another topic and I tend to rant when discussing that...
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby ARF-GEF » 15 Dec 2013 16:56

Cool topic to focus on. Unfortunately I have more inclination towards big and heavy padlocks so I can't be of much help :)
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 15 Dec 2013 17:21

ARF-GEF wrote:Cool topic to focus on. Unfortunately I have more inclination towards big and heavy padlocks so I can't be of much help :)


I've picked a few small padlocks already:





They are usually not technically hard to pick, but their small size makes them challenging at times. Also, since they are usually used for luggage, I think having their locking abilities assessed is important. I have found that small locks have few pins, weaker bittings, and can often be bypassed easily.

I have a bunch of locks on order now. I've ordered two more Wolf Dog padlocks, to see if the keys are different. The one I had in the video had a flat bitting, and I suspect they might all use the same key or have very few differs. Another Chinese 20mm padlock is coming to see if it is just the same lock with a different logo as well.

Picking them takes extra care, due to their small size.

Plus, they are cheap, and easy to store. I had a problem with having too many padlocks to store, and I think it will be a while before I run out of room if I get small locks.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby mechanical_nightmare » 16 Dec 2013 7:57

ABUS has padlocks in the size range you are looking for. I can't remember the exact model, but I have two of them at home and can give you the model name if you need it. I saw the Titalium recommendation above and checked it out, but the ones I have are yellow, brass-body padlocks...
If you do not manipulate the lock, then the lock will manipulate you
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 16 Dec 2013 8:14

mechanical_nightmare wrote:ABUS has padlocks in the size range you are looking for. I can't remember the exact model, but I have two of them at home and can give you the model name if you need it. I saw the Titalium recommendation above and checked it out, but the ones I have are yellow, brass-body padlocks...


Thanks! I looked again, and I found some 20mm brass padlocks from Abus.

Abus T84MB/20

They look very nice. I ordered one.

Like the Titalium, I only found UK sellers.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 17 Dec 2013 15:14

I am waiting for the arrival of a bunch of small locks, but I've done a few already. So far, the picture is not pretty, with all of them so far being not recommended, as they are too easy to open without the key. Small locks are easy to destroy, so they are effectively seals, allowing one to know whether the locked object was tampered with. If they can be picked or bypassed easily, then they are worse than no lock at all, giving a false sense of security.

Here is the playlist of the luggage locks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... COjXehICJd
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby DennisK » 17 Dec 2013 18:05

Are you still looking for small locks? I have a brand new Guard and the package calls it a 3/4" padlock,which calculates out to 19.05mm. It's a model 621.
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby HerrMannelig » 17 Dec 2013 21:37

DennisK wrote:Are you still looking for small locks? I have a brand new Guard and the package calls it a 3/4" padlock,which calculates out to 19.05mm. It's a model 621.


Yes, I am. Do you have a link?
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Re: Small Padlock Recommendations Needed

Postby DennisK » 17 Dec 2013 22:15

HerrMannelig wrote:
DennisK wrote:Are you still looking for small locks? I have a brand new Guard and the package calls it a 3/4" padlock,which calculates out to 19.05mm. It's a model 621.


Yes, I am. Do you have a link?

No no link.I would just send it to you.
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