Masterlock #5...Something Better

[Squelchtone]

Hello,

I recently bought one of these and they suggest using a Masterlock #5 as it fits the holes and system. I am aware these are far from the best lock around. What would be this lock equal when comparing exact size coming from Abloy or? I am looking to put the best locks on it. Any other suggestions welcome too!

Thank you!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-32-in ... lsrc=aw.ds

[Squelchtone]

Using the forum's Search I found this post viewtopic.php?f=37&t=58961&p=432319&hilit=Rigid+padlock#p432300 it leads to another Jobox/Rigid padlock post, the two threads together should give you the answers you seek.

Good luck,
Squelchtone

[C158]

Continuing from: key retaining vs non...

It will be for personal use. Abloy PL340 vs 83/55 shrouded steel to get 1" clearance.


Abloy key retaining, Abus not. Abloy Finland. Abus China (quality difference? Likely not)

The other thing that somewhat concerns me is the specs for the rigid state a max of 2 1/4" the PL340 is 2 1/4. I took a ruler and measured and it's pretty dead nuts. So I am hoping it wouldn't be ever slightly too big?? The Abus, is 2 1/8 and will fit without worry.

[billdeserthills]

The jobox has a very good locking system, I have had to open a couple of these over the years. One time I impressioned a key to
one padlock, which also fit the other padlock, the next time I used a hard to find suitcase rivit mill to get the end plate off and
I made a key to the lock cylinder inside. There is not much room for manipulating any kind of lock picking device, which is good.
The other thing to consider is the thickness of the walls of the container. This model uses 12 gauge steel, which sounds heavy,
but is in actuality thinner than 1/8"--certainly thinner than any burglary rate safe out there.

Also keep in mind that the Jobox is not fire resistant, however for the $200 it is likely the least expensive 'strong box' available,
barring you finding a great deal on a used BF rated safe

I think the key retaining is going to become annoying, as there isn't a lot of room where the padlocks are located

[ARF-GEF]

Abloy key retaining, Abus not. Abloy Finland. Abus China (quality difference? Likely not)

Not sure if that is sarcasm or not.
Abloy is excellent no doubt there, arguably one of the best there are. Anchor las, Ruko, Medeco, Evva, Kaba, Keso are also excellent if you can get it where you are. Just a quick qeustion: do you really need top of the line expensive lock or is a "good one" good enough?

Some cheap Abus padlocks are not very good. But they are not crappy. I'm not fan of making things in China, but nowadays a lot of things are made there and with stringent Q.C. and care you can have good stuff made there.

Abus has decent locks in their "Brass", "Ecolution" and "Titalium" padlock ranges.
And they make very good locks in their "Disc-lock" and "Granit", and "Steel" ranges.
On top of that the ABUS-Plus cylinder, which they use in high-end padlocks, is not unpickable but a very secure one.

[C158]

Thx for the reply. Makes sense. I will be using the Ridgid/Knaack set up. Their locking system operates in a different way (I think) the lock is easily accessible and could be picked easily, which is why I am set on Protec2. Even with that said, it may be annoying with having to have two keys?

At the end of the day, the lock box itself is the weak point when compared to the locks. I guess I am just going a bit over the top and having fun with it...

[C158]

ARF-GEF: It will either be the PL340 or 83/55 shrouded as that model has 1" clearance. Whichever I go with it will have the Protec2 core.

There was no sarcasm, I am guessing the quality is the same as when they made in Germany. Just wish they still were. That's all. Like the fact Abloy is still in Finland.

Think I am set on Steel. More heat resistant than Brass.

[ARF-GEF]

I guess I am just going a bit over the top and having fun with it...

Don't let me stop you ahaha!
Lot of people get interested in locks by starting out researching lock for their own need.
If you feel like it, go over the top! You can enjoy using a nice lock. It's up to you. There is no law saying you must use the cheapest solution fulfilling your need.
You definitely can have fun with locks, so go over the top if you want to!

[C158]

I figure too, the locks can be used on something else - more sturdy on down the road.

Just need to decide Abloy or Abus. At this point leaning Abus for the non key retaining feature unless someone here has good logical reason not to....

[ARF-GEF]

Abus with a protec core? Your source is Securitsnobs then,right? (I only know them doing that, and they are a good source.)

Let me check the prices and get back to you.
So EDIT:
Okay the shrouded Abus is superior to the Abloy IMO.
Otherwise they are on par, maybe I would go for the Abloy Pl340 because it's cheaper.
With Abloy you might want to consider the weatherproofing extra, depending on where you live.
Generally though I think Abloy makes better padlocks. Have seen slight rust on supposedly rust-free Abus products, though they exchanged it to a flawless one without any issue.

There are pros and cons of both key retaining and non-retaining, see other threads, try the search function to find them.
Maybe that is something you should consider on it's own as well. If you decided on key retaining/non.... that should make the decision easier, because the Pl340 and the non shrouded Abus 83 55 are on the same level IMO.

[ARF-GEF]

Think I am set on Steel. More heat resistant than Brass.

Stainless seel is much more resistant to most physical attacks (cutting drilling etc), so better in padlocks. But heat is one place where I have my doubts. It's not just about the melting point it's also how well they dissipate heat. And brass triumphs in conducting heat, but a padlock is small so less of point there.
(This is a side note, so sorry. Don't want to derail the thread.)

[C158]

Your points are spot on, and actually the sole point of my question really is to retain or not to retain. Gut says no. And that gut feeling is gonna cost me $70 more. BUT at this point I don't care. Just want the best for my needs.

It will be indoors - for now. The specs on the PL340 is a bit worrisome as the max the box says I can go is 2 1/4 and they are 2 1/4 so if either mfg (Ridgid or Abloy) are off just a little then you are SOL.

The Abus is 2 1/8 all the way up so it is gtg. The biggest and most important thing is that I get a set up with 1" clearance. The non shrouded 83/55 is 1 7/16. Otherwise that would be my choice.

Interesting info on the lock material...

[C158]

Too add, Abloy gets major points being made in Finland still. For practical purposes that makes little difference it just something I like. To be honest if the ABUS was a little cheaper and the Abloy was non key retaining I think the I would just roll the dice with Abloy.

[C158]

Also, I went to the search function and typed some key phrases for subjects on key retaining as a subject and nothing populated. I may not be using the search function correctly. Not sure.

If you could please enbed the threads you are talking about that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[ARF-GEF]

Key Retinignness:
http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=62799&p=464690&hilit=retaining#p464690
See Billdeserthills's answer. (It's you own thread actually )