5 ms·

While we're on the topic of locks, can anyone recommend a good gym locker lock that isn't easily broken/hacked? I've had MasterLock key locks, brass, steel pla

While we're on the topic of locks, can anyone recommend a good gym locker lock that isn't easily broken/hacked? I've had MasterLock key locks, brass, steel plate, and combination locks and mini-key locks. All have been broken into and money & goods stolen. No cutters were used, they simply forced the locks. I now carry everything with me currently and don't use a locker, which is a PITA.

jimmaswell 10y ago
your car trunk maybe?
tyingq 10y ago
Medeco and ASSA have a good reputation. Master locks are notorious for being easy to open simply by whacking once with a normal hammer.
- lytfyre 10y ago
  Neither are really known for their padlocks, and they're both pretty hard to find at retail - at least in North America. for a reasonable priced lock (~$20) - I'd suggest American (probably the 1105) or one of Abus' mid level locks. Either are available on Amazon. For "it'll be easier to pry the door off the locker than break the lock" level locks (~$100) - I'd suggest Abloy (330 or 340) or Mul-T-Lock. These are harder to find locally - https://securitysnobs.com/ https://securitysnobs.com/ seems to get recomended on the lockpicking reddit if you want an online vendor. Abloy's "Protec 2" lock design is one of the more well regarded out there- I'm not aware of any credible public claims to have picked it, and short of an angle grinder you won't be getting through the larger padlocks. Trivia - the lock industry is very heavily consolidated behind the scenes, with several companies owning most of the major brands: "Assa Abloy" owns, besides the two companies in the name, Medeco, Yale, Mul-T-Lock, Fichet, and HID - who make the most common RFID security cards. Master Lock owns American Locks.
  - deleted 10y ago
    [deleted]
simias 10y ago
If you really want a stronger lock I presume the main limitation is that, in my experience, there's a maximum thickness the locker design will allow for the lock. As such it's generally trivial to break the lock with a bolt cutter. I think that's actually a feature, the gym owners want to be able to open the lockers if a member loses their keys or simply locks one of the lockers and then never comes back. So I think you should simply consider going to a better gym? Seriously, that sounds pretty terrible, I've never had any issues in any gym I've been to and I'm not exactly paranoid either (sometimes I'd forget my lock and leave my stuff unlocked and never had any problem).
- tyingq 10y ago
  >there's a maximum thickness the locker design will allow for the lock Depending on how the locker works, you might have luck with something that protects the shackle a bit better, even if the shackle is still relatively thin in diameter. Like one of the disc style padlocks.
logfromblammo 10y ago
Use the most commonly used lock on the outside of the locker. You don't want your locker to stand out. Shrouded padlocks are more secure, but they also tell potential thieves that your locker may actually be worth breaking into. In any case, the gym management often restricts your choice, because they need to be able to cut locks off. I'd save the serious security for the inside of the locker. Get a locking hard case designed for handguns, with a cable lock slot built in, and use a cable lock to secure it to the inside of the locker. Put your valuables in it and pile your clothes on top. Consider changing to a gym that has separate locker and changing areas, so that cameras can be used to detect locker break-ins and catch the culprits. The individual padlock is, at best, a delaying tactic, which is useless if someone has unlimited time in which to break security. If someone is in my locker room popping locks with a shim, I want someone to notice that and detain them, or at least identify them from the video footage.
- giardini 10y ago
  The thieves break into the most commonly-used locks. FWIW there are hacks for most locks on Youtube! There's nothing inside the locker to which to attach a hard case, which would undoubtedly be stolen. Can't change gyms w/o losing $$ - have a two-year plan. Been going there for years. BTW all gyms have this problem - it isn't uncommon. I _have_ considered abandoning the gym and going to a body-weight exercise plan + walking/running. I'd get more sun/rain/sleet/sunny days.
  - tunap 10y ago
    edit: n/m, topic covered already. Why not leave valuables in your(locked) car?
    - ptaipale 10y ago
      Is that a sarcastic joke? Cars are obvious targets for burgling. At least over here, insurance companies won't pay anything if you leave it in the car and it gets burgled.
chrsstrm 10y ago
Stay away from anything that says Master on it and absolutely stay away from combination locks, both the dial and the wheel style. You want a lock that uses ball bearings in the shackle, not the spring loaded latch type (you can easily tell which is used if you unlock the lock and inspect the inside of the shackle; if you see perfectly circular notches on the inside of the shackle then that lock uses ball bearings. If you see a straight edge in the cutout of the latch, you're dealing with a spring mechanism). The American Lock 5300 is a nice choice for this application (yes, it is made by Master but it has some redeeming qualities). It is shrouded so it cannot be easily shimmed and it comes with a 5 pin replaceable cylinder. The keyway on mine is relatively paracentric (many steep angles and warding that makes it harder to pick) which is nice. If you are super paranoid you can re-pin the core or swap it with a new one, preferably something with 6 pins. The best feature of this lock is that it looks more secure than its neighbors and it cannot be easily shimmed or opened with a kinetic attack. If I were popping gym locker locks I'd go kinetic on spring mechanism locks since they are the easiest to open quickly with no special tools. I wouldn't want to be caught with a rake or a bump key so those methods are probably not your biggest concern. You want the thief to look at your lock and think, shit, this one isn't worth the effort, move on the next. Like you said, you bought sub-par locks and they were simply forced open. A 5300 or similar isn't going to give it up that easily, which makes you less of a target.
Animats 10y ago
The top of the line in padlocks is the Sargent & Greenleaf 951 padlock, which is about $1300.[1] DoD uses these on weapons storage. Resists grinders, saws, liquid nitrogen, etc. Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.[1] The ones that are hard to force or cut have large-diameter shackles, which probably won't fit a gym locker. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJZ_kKjXcE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJZ_kKjXcE
- ufmace 10y ago
  Funny, I don't think it was that model, but I think it was a S&G lock we used (2 or 3 of them actually) on radioactive source containers back in the oilfield.
ecopoesis 10y ago
The ABUS 83 series. Depending in size, the can be keyed to match your house key, do you'll also have one less key to carry.
stephengillie 10y ago
Don't change locks, change gyms. Work out where thieves don't. You might even tell your gym that's why you're switching.

jimmaswell 10y ago

your car trunk maybe?

tyingq 10y ago

Medeco and ASSA have a good reputation. Master locks are notorious for being easy to open simply by whacking once with a normal hammer.

lytfyre 10y ago
Neither are really known for their padlocks, and they're both pretty hard to find at retail - at least in North America. for a reasonable priced lock (~$20) - I'd suggest American (probably the 1105) or one of Abus' mid level locks. Either are available on Amazon. For "it'll be easier to pry the door off the locker than break the lock" level locks (~$100) - I'd suggest Abloy (330 or 340) or Mul-T-Lock. These are harder to find locally - https://securitysnobs.com/ https://securitysnobs.com/ seems to get recomended on the lockpicking reddit if you want an online vendor. Abloy's "Protec 2" lock design is one of the more well regarded out there- I'm not aware of any credible public claims to have picked it, and short of an angle grinder you won't be getting through the larger padlocks. Trivia - the lock industry is very heavily consolidated behind the scenes, with several companies owning most of the major brands: "Assa Abloy" owns, besides the two companies in the name, Medeco, Yale, Mul-T-Lock, Fichet, and HID - who make the most common RFID security cards. Master Lock owns American Locks.
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]

simias 10y ago

If you really want a stronger lock I presume the main limitation is that, in my experience, there's a maximum thickness the locker design will allow for the lock. As such it's generally trivial to break the lock with a bolt cutter. I think that's actually a feature, the gym owners want to be able to open the lockers if a member loses their keys or simply locks one of the lockers and then never comes back. So I think you should simply consider going to a better gym? Seriously, that sounds pretty terrible, I've never had any issues in any gym I've been to and I'm not exactly paranoid either (sometimes I'd forget my lock and leave my stuff unlocked and never had any problem).

tyingq 10y ago
>there's a maximum thickness the locker design will allow for the lock Depending on how the locker works, you might have luck with something that protects the shackle a bit better, even if the shackle is still relatively thin in diameter. Like one of the disc style padlocks.

logfromblammo 10y ago

Use the most commonly used lock on the outside of the locker. You don't want your locker to stand out. Shrouded padlocks are more secure, but they also tell potential thieves that your locker may actually be worth breaking into. In any case, the gym management often restricts your choice, because they need to be able to cut locks off. I'd save the serious security for the inside of the locker. Get a locking hard case designed for handguns, with a cable lock slot built in, and use a cable lock to secure it to the inside of the locker. Put your valuables in it and pile your clothes on top. Consider changing to a gym that has separate locker and changing areas, so that cameras can be used to detect locker break-ins and catch the culprits. The individual padlock is, at best, a delaying tactic, which is useless if someone has unlimited time in which to break security. If someone is in my locker room popping locks with a shim, I want someone to notice that and detain them, or at least identify them from the video footage.

giardini 10y ago
The thieves break into the most commonly-used locks. FWIW there are hacks for most locks on Youtube! There's nothing inside the locker to which to attach a hard case, which would undoubtedly be stolen. Can't change gyms w/o losing $$ - have a two-year plan. Been going there for years. BTW all gyms have this problem - it isn't uncommon. I _have_ considered abandoning the gym and going to a body-weight exercise plan + walking/running. I'd get more sun/rain/sleet/sunny days.
- tunap 10y ago
  edit: n/m, topic covered already. Why not leave valuables in your(locked) car?
  - ptaipale 10y ago
    Is that a sarcastic joke? Cars are obvious targets for burgling. At least over here, insurance companies won't pay anything if you leave it in the car and it gets burgled.

chrsstrm 10y ago

Stay away from anything that says Master on it and absolutely stay away from combination locks, both the dial and the wheel style. You want a lock that uses ball bearings in the shackle, not the spring loaded latch type (you can easily tell which is used if you unlock the lock and inspect the inside of the shackle; if you see perfectly circular notches on the inside of the shackle then that lock uses ball bearings. If you see a straight edge in the cutout of the latch, you're dealing with a spring mechanism). The American Lock 5300 is a nice choice for this application (yes, it is made by Master but it has some redeeming qualities). It is shrouded so it cannot be easily shimmed and it comes with a 5 pin replaceable cylinder. The keyway on mine is relatively paracentric (many steep angles and warding that makes it harder to pick) which is nice. If you are super paranoid you can re-pin the core or swap it with a new one, preferably something with 6 pins. The best feature of this lock is that it looks more secure than its neighbors and it cannot be easily shimmed or opened with a kinetic attack. If I were popping gym locker locks I'd go kinetic on spring mechanism locks since they are the easiest to open quickly with no special tools. I wouldn't want to be caught with a rake or a bump key so those methods are probably not your biggest concern. You want the thief to look at your lock and think, shit, this one isn't worth the effort, move on the next. Like you said, you bought sub-par locks and they were simply forced open. A 5300 or similar isn't going to give it up that easily, which makes you less of a target.

Animats 10y ago

The top of the line in padlocks is the Sargent & Greenleaf 951 padlock, which is about $1300.[1] DoD uses these on weapons storage. Resists grinders, saws, liquid nitrogen, etc. Here's an amusing overview of available padlocks, starting with crap Master Locks and moving upward.[1] The ones that are hard to force or cut have large-diameter shackles, which probably won't fit a gym locker. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJZ_kKjXcE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsJZ_kKjXcE

ufmace 10y ago
Funny, I don't think it was that model, but I think it was a S&G lock we used (2 or 3 of them actually) on radioactive source containers back in the oilfield.

ecopoesis 10y ago

The ABUS 83 series. Depending in size, the can be keyed to match your house key, do you'll also have one less key to carry.

stephengillie 10y ago

Don't change locks, change gyms. Work out where thieves don't. You might even tell your gym that's why you're switching.