Bolt Padlock

[YouLuckyFox]

I was in the locker room swapping out of my welding gear today and saw a guy using a key with "unlock", "alarm", and "lock" buttons on it to open the padlock on his locker. My curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask what if he was using a car key to open his lock. He said "yes" and that the lock accepts any key and matches to any key; he said it was called a "Sure-lock" (no luck on finding a lock by that name with any spelling on google.com) but I took a closer look and sourced as a "Bolt" lock. Anyone seen one of these guys before? It would be great to use as it would be one less key I need to carry with me!? Looks like it uses a sidebar, too; pretty swift!

http://www.boltlock.com/how-it-works/

[Squelchtone]

boy, that's actually pretty nifty and made by Strattec which is actually a known name if you do any car work.

I like how the plastic purple bit pushes against the wafer to mate together and learn the bitting of your key.

Thanks for sharing this,
Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

Have a Strattec padlock (like Squelchtone said) that takes a GM key.

Don't have a GM, but was able to come up with a key for the lock, and it is an absolute mother to pick, at least the once that I succeeded.

Gordon

[2octops]

These do not hold up well outside in my experience. We have had to cut several off since they come out that had just suddenly stopped working. I have not taken one apart to see exactly what the failure was.

[cledry]

They also make tool box locks and hitch locks that can use your car key. I've had to remove a couple of the hitch locks already.

[1mrchristopher]

Very intriguing. They must use better plastic than gen 1 Smartkey.

[GWiens2001]

Very intriguing. They must use better plastic than gen 1 Smartkey.

Yeah, they upgraded to pot metal instead of plastic for most of the internals. Well, it is an improvement.

Gordon

[YouLuckyFox]

Thanks for the input on this, guys; and sorry for the late reply.

It seems like a pretty cool idea, especially having a shutter to keep out dust. It seems like the first source of failure could very well be the code bar losing its placement on the slider?

Also, @Gordon, congrats on picking this lock, do you think there's much of a chance for impressioning a key for it?

[GWiens2001]

Yes, it can be impressioned. Have to go digging through my locks and find a deadbolt to impression the lock with. Will say that excessive force when impressioning is a bad idea. Also, if you have a key gauge, you can save time by seeing a spot is marked, then keep filing it until it is at the next depth. None of the filing a few strokes and check!

Gordon

[YouLuckyFox]

Definitely a good idea on using a key gauge. Let me know of any new developments!

[djhobbes]

Can the locks be changed / rekeyed once they "learn" your key?

[YouLuckyFox]

If I read the site right, it is supposed to be permanently mated after first configuration-as in, no redo's.

#BirdsAndBees

[GWiens2001]

That is correct - it is supposed to be permanent. But then again, have never tried disassembling the lock to see what can be done.

Gordon

[YouLuckyFox]

(Like Pavlov's dogs hearing a bell, Fox begins salivating at the mere shadow of a possibility of seeing another one of Gordon's lock autopsies.)
#ThatNameRingsABell

[GWiens2001]

It has been a while, hasn't it? Rather busy lately, but will see what I can do.

Gordon