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!
by sawoobley » 25 Dec 2015 14:50
I am looking for a padlock which is very difficult to pick, drill out, is non-key retaining and has a 7/8" to 1" shackle in the price range of $25-~$100. Two of these padlocks will be used to secure a Ridgid Universal Storage Chest which will store a shotgun, ammo and whatever else I decide to add. http://i.imgur.com/jXg8DCN.jpgI have seen threads on this before but I don't remember seeing a recommended lock that is non-key retaining. The box is basically used to secure the shotgun from children, to keep people honest and from thieves that are not willing and able to cut the lid off from the back hinge. I'll worry about securing it to the floor or weighing it down so it cannot be carried off later. I was looking at the Assa Abloy, PL330/25B-KA which can be found for just over $50 but it is a key retaining lock which is too inconvenient for a storage chest with two locks on it. http://heavydutydepot.com/product/abloy ... alike#mainAbus has an 83 series lock where the Z bar can be removed to make it non-key retaining, but I'm not sure if this is a good choice and which model to choose. Are their other options where I could use another lock with a good core? I guess I don't need a perfect solution, just a really good one. The locks are recessed into the box so thieves can only access the lock from the bottom. Thanks for helping a noob out. I'm located in California BTW.
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by cledry » 25 Dec 2015 19:37
You can get the Abus 83 series and install any high security cylinder that is compatible with a Schlage KIK cylinder. So you could pop in a Medeco, Bilock, Abloy etc.
Jim
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by sawoobley » 26 Dec 2015 1:22
Thanks for the reply.
Anyone know how and where I can find replacement cylinders (Medeco, Bilock, Abloy etc)? I've searched and they are really hard to find for padlocks.
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by MBI » 26 Dec 2015 2:08
sawoobley wrote:Anyone know how and where I can find replacement cylinders (Medeco, Bilock, Abloy etc)? I've searched and they are really hard to find for padlocks.
For Abloy and BiLock: https://securitysnobs.com/I believe they're the biggest Abloy dealer in the US, biggest BiLock distributor in North America. They tend to have very competitive prices too, not that any high security locks are "cheap". Medeco has some known flaws but it isn't a bad lock. Definitely a big step up from Schlage, Kwikset, Weiser household locks and such, but for basically about the same money the Abloy is a much better option.
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by cledry » 26 Dec 2015 7:05
Abloy is also much better for dirty, dusty, wet or salty environments.
Jim
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by sawoobley » 26 Dec 2015 13:34
MBI wrote:sawoobley wrote:Anyone know how and where I can find replacement cylinders (Medeco, Bilock, Abloy etc)? I've searched and they are really hard to find for padlocks.
For Abloy and BiLock: https://securitysnobs.com/I believe they're the biggest Abloy dealer in the US, biggest BiLock distributor in North America. They tend to have very competitive prices too, not that any high security locks are "cheap". Medeco has some known flaws but it isn't a bad lock. Definitely a big step up from Schlage, Kwikset, Weiser household locks and such, but for basically about the same money the Abloy is a much better option.
I looked around the site and they don't appear to sell the cylinders for padlocks by themselves for Abloy. Or maybe I'm not recognizing it as such?
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by GWiens2001 » 26 Dec 2015 16:15
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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by sawoobley » 31 Jan 2016 2:27
Ok, I finally found a set-up I am content with. I went with two of the ABUS 83/45 brass padlock with the Abloy cylinder, Protec Elite Key profile/system with a 1" shackle height clearance. One of the locks is key retaining and the other is not (Z bar was removed). The locks also have the ABUS End Cap on them with the key hole cover and loops removed. https://securitysnobs.com/ABUS-Brass-Pa ... -Core.htmlhttps://securitysnobs.com/ABUS-End-Cap- ... dlock.htmlHere is a picture of the lock in the closed position.  Here is a picture of the lock in the open position.  I even took it a step further and purchased a (1/2") 6 Foot Bicycle Lock Chain - Hardened Grade 100 - USA MADE (from ebay) to wrap around the feet of the box and several bulky items in the room it will be stored in. It has a ABUS 83/45 lock with a 2 inch shackle on it.
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by GWiens2001 » 31 Jan 2016 9:17
Nice choice. Thank you for the update so we hace closure for this thread.  Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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by Squelchtone » 31 Jan 2016 9:17
nice man, thank you for the follow up and pics! when you say z bar was removed, is that the Abloy cylinder's sidebar? could I insert something other than the real key and rotate all the discs and open the padlock? say a small screwdriver?
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by kwoswalt99- » 31 Jan 2016 12:57
Squelchtone wrote:nice man, thank you for the follow up and pics! when you say z bar was removed, is that the Abloy cylinder's sidebar? could I insert something other than the real key and rotate all the discs and open the padlock? say a small screwdriver? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUvwutf7SCY 
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by GWiens2001 » 31 Jan 2016 16:09
The z-bar is something that fits into the cam of the padlock, and is shaped like a Z. Without the z-bar, the lock is not key retaining.
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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by Squelchtone » 31 Jan 2016 18:54
kwoswalt99- wrote:Squelchtone wrote:nice man, thank you for the follow up and pics! when you say z bar was removed, is that the Abloy cylinder's sidebar? could I insert something other than the real key and rotate all the discs and open the padlock? say a small screwdriver? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUvwutf7SCY 
oh neat! learn something new around here every day. Thanks!
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by GWiens2001 » 31 Jan 2016 19:05
Learned about that shackle change feature using the z-bar a while back when rekeying one of those padlocks. Accidentally put the z-bar in upside down. When I turned the key, the shackle fell out, followed by the locking ball. Had to take it apart and figure out what the heck happened. It was interesting, to say the least. Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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