Need a lock with 5/16" shackle

[Ratjack]

I have been trying to learn about locks all day today so I can find a lock I can feel comfortable with.

After a trip to Home Depot, I lost all hope for Master Lock since all the locks at the store had the same key.....

I did purchase a Stanley lock... but the shackle ended up being larger than 5/16". Seemed like a really nice lock though since it has 6 pins, an anti-drill plate, and a strong shackle.

I am now looking into American Locks (I am aware they are owned by Master Lock, just hoping maybe they are better quality). Are these decent locks? I see that they have "Bump Stop Technology", but I have seen some videos on Youtube showing that the locks can be bumped super easy.

I need 2 locks to lock up a pelican case which I plan on chaining to the inside of my car. I live in Washington state, so crime is not a huge concern. There may be times I am in Seattle, but for the most part I live out of the city.

I would like to spend less than $60 for both locks. The equipment being locked up is insured, so this is really to help me feel more comfortable when leaving it in the car when getting some food or going into a store.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me!

[keysman]

On the page below you can sort by shackle diameter , price range ,ect
http://www.americanlocks.com/default.aspx

American Padlocks are a quality lock.. expect to pay a premium from a generic laminated padlock sold at Home Depot or your local Dollar Store.

[easy-e]

I need 2 locks to lock up a pelican case which I plan on chaining to the inside of my car. I live in Washington state, so crime is not a huge concern. There may be times I am in Seattle, but for the most part I live out of the city.

I would like to spend less than $60 for both locks. The equipment being locked up is insured, so this is really to help me feel more comfortable when leaving it in the car when getting some food or going into a store.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me!

Where do you live in Washington? I've got some Commando Locks (http://www.commandolock.com) and they are 5/16" shackle. I can probably find 2 that are keyed alike if you'd like them or want to test fit them. I'm not sure if they are still doing specials for LP101 members, but if you e-mail Patrick (the owner) and tell him you are from LP101 they might give you some kind of discount. sales@commandolock.com Otherwise $12 for a quality Made in America lock is pretty cheap. American locks are a good suggestion as well and in the same price range as the Commandos.

I honestly wouldn't worry about locks with extra protection (drill, bump, etc). They should at least be shim proof and have spools or serrated pins which is the difference between a $4 lock and a $12 lock. Not to be a buzz kill, but any 5/16" shackled padlock you buy that doesn't have a shroud can be cut with bolt cutters. If you have really nice locks on a nice case a potential burglar will assume there are higher valued items inside. The best advice is to use simple looking locks like Commando or American and keep the box hidden out of sight. If you are getting out of the car, putting items in there, and then going into the store, bad guys will see this. I always put my laptop bag or other stuff in my trunk before leaving work or my house. If my girl is going to leave her bag or purse in the car, I always have her do the same. I'm not really paranoid (as you said, Seattle isn't that bad), but I would rather have my stuff out of sight. I have friends who have had to replace broken windows over a pack of cigarettes.

Not sure what kind of vehicle you have, but when I had my jeep I had a Tuffy center console and a big lock box in the back. https://www.tuffyproducts.com/default.aspx

[ARF-GEF]

Let us know if they still have the discount code, I have been wanting one of those ICHANGE kinds

[Ratjack]

I need 2 locks to lock up a pelican case which I plan on chaining to the inside of my car. I live in Washington state, so crime is not a huge concern. There may be times I am in Seattle, but for the most part I live out of the city.

I would like to spend less than $60 for both locks. The equipment being locked up is insured, so this is really to help me feel more comfortable when leaving it in the car when getting some food or going into a store.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer me!

Where do you live in Washington? I've got some Commando Locks (http://www.commandolock.com) and they are 5/16" shackle. I can probably find 2 that are keyed alike if you'd like them or want to test fit them. I'm not sure if they are still doing specials for LP101 members, but if you e-mail Patrick (the owner) and tell him you are from LP101 they might give you some kind of discount. sales@commandolock.com Otherwise $12 for a quality Made in America lock is pretty cheap. American locks are a good suggestion as well and in the same price range as the Commandos.

I honestly wouldn't worry about locks with extra protection (drill, bump, etc). They should at least be shim proof and have spools or serrated pins which is the difference between a $4 lock and a $12 lock. Not to be a buzz kill, but any 5/16" shackled padlock you buy that doesn't have a shroud can be cut with bolt cutters. If you have really nice locks on a nice case a potential burglar will assume there are higher valued items inside. The best advice is to use simple looking locks like Commando or American and keep the box hidden out of sight. If you are getting out of the car, putting items in there, and then going into the store, bad guys will see this. I always put my laptop bag or other stuff in my trunk before leaving work or my house. If my girl is going to leave her bag or purse in the car, I always have her do the same. I'm not really paranoid (as you said, Seattle isn't that bad), but I would rather have my stuff out of sight. I have friends who have had to replace broken windows over a pack of cigarettes.

Not sure what kind of vehicle you have, but when I had my jeep I had a Tuffy center console and a big lock box in the back. https://www.tuffyproducts.com/default.aspx

I live in Burlington, which is a bit north of Seattle. I was originally avoiding the Commando locks since they are not boron alloy... but I am starting to realize no matter what lock I buy, if someone has bolt cutters they can cut it, regardless of the metal. It also seems that anyone who knows what they are doing can pick just about any lock.... -_-. Would you say the Commando locks will be good enough? I just want to feel comfortable going out to eat while leaving my gear in the car. I will always have what I need ready to go so it appears I am taking everything out of my car at the destination.

Are you in Seattle?

[GWiens2001]

You can get boron shackles for Commando locks!

Gordon

[ARF-GEF]

that anyone who knows what they are doing can pick just about any lock.... -_-.

Don't let youtube fool you! The people who can pick just about any lock practised a loooong loong time. Still there are a lot of lock they can't pick or picking takes a lot of time. What you see on youtube if usually the 5th time they pick the exact same lock so they know what to do almost automatically.
Even good pickers have serious issues with most genuinely high security locks.

As for the lock: as I see it's important to have good hasp on any padlock. One which encloses and defends the shackle.

[Ratjack]

I now see that I can get the boron alloy with Commando locks... however... anything with that metal is "sold out" .

[ARF-GEF]

Email them and ask when will they have one. It's prob just temporary

[GWiens2001]

It has been a while, but know they are expecting more boron shackles sometime soon.

Gordon

[Ratjack]

Well, Patrick got back to me and said that the boron alloy shackles will not be available until April. I need locks by March 8th.

With that being said, would you guys recommend I buy a pair of boron alloy, 6 pin American Locks? Or should I buy a pair of hardened steel Commando padlocks? Patrick said something about a new 10 pin cylinder that can be used on the current locks he has.

My fear with the hardened steel is that people will easily be able to cut them.... but then, wouldnt a thief only require an extra minute or so to get through the harder shackle?

Thank you!!!!

[Raymond]

Cant resist chiming in at the last minute. This seems like it is turning into a big paper chase.

I would be more worried about the chain being cut and losing a nice Pelican case.

A pelican case can be cut more easily than any padlock shackle.

If you are still in need of a cut resistant padlock get anything that has shielded shackles that bolt cutters and cutoff saws cannot reach. Even the smallest Abus Discus can meet that requirement.

Good luck.

[easy-e]

Well, Patrick got back to me and said that the boron alloy shackles will not be available until April. I need locks by March 8th.

I was thinking about this over the weekend. A shrouded padlock is more along the lines of what you need. I completely agree with Raymond about the Chain/Box being the weak point, not the lock. The Abus Discus, or any lock that you can't get bolt cutters to the shackle is going to be what you want to be looking for.

At work I have some 6700 series Master Pro Series shrouded padlocks. We have severely abused them over the years but they are great. They have Boron shackles and one of my guys forgot his keys and decided to cut one off a trailer one morning when making a delivery instead of waking me up. It took him 20 minutes and a few cutting wheels so I trust their strength and durability. We have 27's though which are 7/16" shackle compared to the 21's which are 5/16" shackle.

The 6300 series is just "5 pin rekeyable" and I'm not sure which keyway it uses. The 6500 series uses SFIC's, and 6700 uses KIK type cylinders. I'm not too familiar with KIK cylinders so I just popped one of my locks apart and it uses a different driver than I've seen on standard knob sets.

Master Pro Series 6521 or 6721

Send me a PM if you are interested. HL Flake doesn't have that many profile options, but I can give you a great deal on a pair if you are interested.

[HerrMannelig]

that anyone who knows what they are doing can pick just about any lock.... -_-.

Don't let youtube fool you! The people who can pick just about any lock practised a loooong loong time. Still there are a lot of lock they can't pick or picking takes a lot of time. What you see on youtube if usually the 5th time they pick the exact same lock so they know what to do almost automatically.
Even good pickers have serious issues with most genuinely high security locks.

As for the lock: as I see it's important to have good hasp on any padlock. One which encloses and defends the shackle.

In general, a time can be associated with a lock design. For example, a Master Lock #3 is about 5-30 seconds, a Pro Series Master Lock is around 1-5 minutes, etc. Some are wildcards, like the Kwikset SmartKey...15 seconds to 20 minutes.

Out of the package picks are valuable for Youtube videos. I've been doing more of those personally to avoid misrepresenting the security of individual locks and my own abilities.

I know for a fact that some of the best pickers on Youtube struggle with even not so high security locks at times. Obviously, there is a selection bias: we are not going to post failures as often as successes.

But there is a value in picking locks one has practiced on, as it does show in a reasonable time the lock being picked. While an actual attack would take longer, the practiced picks can indicate what a higher skilled or lucky pick might do to the same lock.

And there are variations among individual locks. I have Master Lock #3s which open with the least effort, and one with a very good bitting (bought it because I saw the key through the package and had to have it) which takes some concentration and extra time.

You never truly know what you are going to get (unless it is a warded padlock).