Small hole in bottm of many padlocks

by **cousteau** » 22 Apr 2005 23:50

Many traditional-style padlocks come with a small hole, roughly pinhole-sized, which is located on the bottom near the keyway. This is not specific to any particular manufacturer.

Here is a picture where the hole is plainly seen on the right side of the bottom of this padlock.

Can anyone tell me why this hole is there and what it is for?

by **master in training** » 22 Apr 2005 23:54

there was a thread about this a little while ago search for it.

i cant remember but i dont think it was ever properly settled, there were a few ideas like to let water out, to let you oil it, etc etc, have a look for it, it shouldnt be too difficult to find.

by **master in training** » 23 Apr 2005 0:10

here you go, since im so kind i even found the thread for you: http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=10102

by **cousteau** » 23 Apr 2005 11:43

Thank you MIT, that was a very interesting thread. I went looking for it last night and couldn't find it, so I'm glad you took the time to find it yourself and post it.

So it sounds like the consensus is that the hole is for drainage... the case made for it being a lubrication hole sounds pretty weak. Good to know.

by **digital_blue** » 23 Apr 2005 16:57

If you live in a climate like "Winterpeg" you can use this hole to shoot lock de-icer in. I'm not sure if it's the point, but it's works.

db

by **master in training** » 23 Apr 2005 17:36

i suppose its just a useful hole, it drains off water and lets you spray in some de-icer or lubricant, of course it could be something to do with the manufacturing process, like to hold the locking mechanisn in place before the plug is inserted? who knows! oh well, its not important anyway.

by **Mad Mick** » 23 Apr 2005 19:01

Actually, it is important, otherwise it wouldn't be there. The main purpose of the hole is for drainage. It also has other uses too, such as de-icing or lubing.

A quick test for the doubtful:
Block up the drain hole, then fill with a liquid from the top.
Try to close the shackle.
Not quite as easy...

Another reason for the drainage argument, is to reduce the opportunity for water to sit in the hole, and corrode the shackle. Especially important in coastal regions.

by **Chrispy** » 3 May 2005 16:35

The pin-sized hole is for disassembly of the padlock. When a small piece of metal (usually a nail with the head removed or the bottom ground off) is inserted into the hole and hit with a hammer, the shackle is released.

Security is retained as the padlock is required to be open for the shackle to be removed.

by **Mad Mick** » 3 May 2005 18:44

Will this work for my Abloys, or any other of my ball-locking padlocks? What size nails do I need? Can I remove the nail head and grind the bottom off?

:roll:

Drainage...

by **skold** » 6 Jun 2005 4:59

Chrispy wrote:The pin-sized hole is for disassembly of the padlock. When a small piece of metal (usually a nail with the head removed or the bottom ground off) is inserted into the hole and hit with a hammer, the shackle is released.

Security is retained as the padlock is required to be open for the shackle to be removed.

ahahahahahahahah they are called weep holes..for the abovementioned reason...drainage :lol:

by **Chrispy** » 6 Jun 2005 5:48

After checking my textbook, Skold, you are right. Drilling out retainers is the correct way to disassemble most padlocks. For some reason, when I took a small nail and hammered the shackle spring (which can be reached through that hole) the lock came apart and I could remove the cylinder. I thought this was how to disassemble all padlocks. I was mistaken. :oops:

by **raimundo** » 6 Jun 2005 10:19

You are now right crispy, the dissasembly idea would not stand up since the hole also appears in discus padlocks with a shackle contained within the welded clamshell. Lube can be put in through the open shackle hole. but standing water inside will rust the lock or freeze solid in winter.

by **skold** » 6 Jun 2005 16:12

If you want to dissasemble a padlock such as a lockwood 110/40, this is one of the ways to do it.

Well the main idea is to get the pin, cylinder and shackle retainers out of the body of the padlock right? Well what i do and many other for that matter, i put the lock on a gas stove top for 10 minutes at full heat.

The padlock is then placed in ice cold water and the pins will jump out like toredo's..you may have to clean the pins up because they will have slight heat damage.

by **Varjeal** » 6 Jun 2005 18:52

The CORRECT way to disassemble padlocks is to first open them either with the key or picking, then remove the retaining screw (usually either a phillips or hex head) and then remove retaining cap, NOT drilling the retainer out unless absolutely necessary. :roll:

by **vector40** » 6 Jun 2005 20:38

Always assuming it's disassemblable

Small hole in bottm of many padlocks

Small hole in bottm of many padlocks

yes crispy

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