So what locks do you guys use ???

[hzatorsk]

Those of you who have installed high-security locks on your outer doors... Does that really increase your security very much?

When it comes right down to it, theives are far less likely to pick your lock than to chuck a brick through a window or kick in (or crowbar) your doorframe....

Kinda reminds me of the situation where the bad guys simply hides around the corner from the garage and as the unsuspecting victim pulls her car in, the bad guy simply follows the car and puts a gun to her head.

How many here have a distress code programmed into their home alarm system? Do your spouses/teenagers know it and how to use it?

[Hak]

Inside My House:
I have Medeco's (keyed alike) on my front and backdoor. A yale on my 'shop' (garage ) Schlages on my bedroom and bathroom doors. On all my cabinets and cupboards etc, i too have Abloy cams. I have a S&G 8500 series safe. My windows just have some junk latch on them (lol, im thinking about installing deadbolts on them). I have a hidden camera that i turn on anytime i leave the house to go somewhere. And my favorite.. my beautiful purebred male German Shepard.

Outside:
I have an 8 foot tall privacy fence (recently installed, my cranky old neighbor was just too nosy, always spying on me while i was in my 'shop'..) locked with a Brinks shrouded padlock. Motion sensor yard lights. My driveway leads into backyard, so i park my car there.

Man, it sure is tempting to play around with all those locks, but i dont feel like ruining them and having to pay $100 to replace them. Though i do play with the Schlage on my bathroom door, i'm not too worried about that lock, i live alone (with the exception of my beloved pets) so i'm not worried about someone walking in on me.

[Buggs41]

My 'key' to security is illumination. The house is very well lit, but not to the point that the neighbors complain. In fact, they like their house illuminated also. ( But they never pitch in on my electric bill. ) LOL

[Romstar]

The doors are secured with Corbin interlocking pin high security locks. They're a to pick.
All frames have been reinforced, and jambs are covered.

Windows all have some sort of positive locking mechanism which cannot be opened from outside. Including locking sashes.

There are "other" things as well.

Romstar

[Zoooooble]

One annoying part of fire code in the US (atleast in California, but I believe it's nationwide) is that you're not allowed to have a double-cylinder deadbolt on your front door without a key in it. (Which of course completely defeats the point of having a double cylinder... hence why most homes are built with a thumb-turn on the back of deadbolts instead of keyed). When I was a kid you could, but they changed it in the 80's because of cases where people couldn't unlock the door during a fire.

So in the US, if the theif can get into the house at all (by any method), they should be able to open your front door from the inside and leave with the larger items.

What I'm not certain of is whether you're allowed to have it locked on the inside when you're away, as in when there shouldn't be anyone in the house at all. If someone knows this for sure, let me know. Otherwise I'll go look it up.

[MrB]

Hmmm. But it is not actually possible for the fire code to be enforced that rigorously in practice, is it? It is more important to have planned options in the event that a fire actually happens, such as a key near the door when the house is occupied, and alternate exit routes available.

In the community where I live, the houses were built with dainty leaded glass windows in the front door right next to the lock. Those windows are so fragile you could push them through with a touch of your fingers. The builder didn't even bother to fit deadbolts to the doors, just a simple entry latch. And the big sliding windows in all the rooms can simply be lifted clean out of the frame with a jemmy. Not to mention the bolts on the French doors at the back extend into a plastic (!) threshold. I just find this whole scenario flabbergasting.

Another point: In the UK, it is common to have double locking deadlatches. Basically, when you leave the house you turn the key twice in the lock and the thumbturn is disabled, so the door cannot be opened from the inside. Can you get locks like that in the US? The typical Kwikset and Schlage type locks don't seem to provide for such a feature.

[quickpicks]

It's kinda funny how most locksmiths and lockpickers have pretty much everything high security or hidden. It's probably because we are not average consumers who know what happens with cheap stuff.

[Hak]

Hehe exactly. I (alike most ppl here) take much pride in that

[javolo]

Hi, I'm new here. I'm not lock smith, nor am I really interested in becoming one. I joined explicityly to ask a collection of experts one very simple question.

I need a high security pad lock. What makes and models do you recommend?

Use is for a gym locker. I was recently ripped off. They popped a cheap lock I was using in a public gym locker room. (Yeah I know, mostly my fault, but I figured it was good enough for a public area.) It was one of those piece of junk loop locks with a three digit combo ala luggage locks. I was dusting off my old master combination lock after this event and had the sense to google it and discover all the cracking schemes on these.

I'm willing to spend money. So what sort of pad lock do you guys just dread having to pick? I'm assuming a keyed lock is best. I know most of these locks aren't so expensive that the quickest way to break them is to just cut them with bolt cutters and replace them. But any recommendations you guys have for me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much in advance.

Javolo

[Buggs41]

The only major problem with security in the U.S., is the lawyers.

People have been sued, and lost, because a criminal got injured while breaking into thier house.

[Hak]

Javolo if you want a padlock that can resist bolt cutters, etc. try an ABUS. They can be a bit expensive, but you said your willing to spend money.

[javolo]

HAK, thank you for your comments.

I have actually been looking at the ABUS locks. The Diskus line looks to be pretty good. I spent some time on their website, and I liked the way they classified their various locks based on security level. The 20/70 or 20/80 models look like they are pretty good for padlocks.

The granit line model 37/80 looks like it is their best lock. But I'm concerned that this monster might not fit on a gym locker door. Not to mention the fact that I might be bordering on paranoia at this point.

Some reasonable resistance to bolt cutters would be good, but outside of that I want something that isn't trivial to pick. More than a few minutes on someones part I think is enough as the locker room gets reasonable traffic, and bolt cutters would definitely draw some attention.

Thanks,

Javolo

[LOCKITIS]

i use the mul-t-lock i feel safest knowing im at the height of security

[oldlock]

HAK, thank you for your comments.

I have actually been looking at the ABUS locks. The Diskus line looks to be pretty good. I spent some time on their website, and I liked the way they classified their various locks based on security level. The 20/70 or 20/80 models look like they are pretty good for padlocks.

The granit line model 37/80 looks like it is their best lock. But I'm concerned that this monster might not fit on a gym locker door. Not to mention the fact that I might be bordering on paranoia at this point.

Some reasonable resistance to bolt cutters would be good, but outside of that I want something that isn't trivial to pick. More than a few minutes on someones part I think is enough as the locker room gets reasonable traffic, and bolt cutters would definitely draw some attention.

Thanks,

Javolo

Abus, do (or did) make discus locks with the abus plus cylinder, As such you would get the best of both worlds, a closed shackle to resist bolt cutters and a hard to pick cylinder.

Paul

[HeadHunterCEO]

IF PEOPLE COME TO YOUE GYM totin bolt cutters

time to find a new gym