Brass padlock series#

This technique is known as bumping, and the hammer’s kinetic force transfers through the core, causing the pins to jump. Keep in mind people can still pick a padlock with a pin by using a hammer and a specially-designed bump key.

Pin configurations can range from as low as a simple 3-pin padlock to complex 7-pin padlocks, though most padlocks sit in the middle of the scale with a 5-pin core. Once all pins align with the shear line, the drum can rotate freely within the padlock’s core. As indicated by the name, the shear line is where the pin must sit for it to turn within the core. As a rule, the more pins that a padlock has, the more secure the lock will be.Ī key moves pins up to align the bottom portion below the shear line, and the upper part of the pin is seated above the shear line. The number of pins determines the level of protection against lockpicks. Some locks offer a removable shackle option that completely detaches from the body to allow better access to minimize this issue with the shoulders. However, this same protection can make them difficult to use, as the added bulk of the cover reduces the size of the opening on the lock. Padlocks that incorporate shrouded shoulders into their design are more resistant to power tools and prying bars, as the shroud prevents access to the shackle. The padlock’s shoulders are the metal sides that rise to cover the shackle’s left and the right sides. Shrouded shoulders or closed-shackle padlocks have metal covers that protect the exposed shackle. While you won’t have to worry about them going missing, you may be out a few dollars in the short term. They undergo a heat treatment to create a hardened outer layer, though some power tools can still cut through them.īoron carbide and molybdenum steel alloy are the most durable and most expensive shackle material option.

Hardened steel and hardened boron steel alloy are the midrange types of material used to make shackles. Shackle material types can include brass, stainless steel, hardened steel, hardened boron steel alloy, boron carbide, and molybdenum steel alloy.īrass and stainless steel are lower quality options that offer minimal protection against impact, though stainless steel shackles are outdoor rated due to its corrosion resistance. As a vulnerable point on an otherwise wholly secure design, padlock manufacturers generally use a sturdy material to prevent damage. The shackle is the most exposed part of a padlock. We address a few of the most prominent features to consider below. While a hammer may benefit from simplicity, a padlock should have a moderate amount of complexity to keep your possessions secure. When shopping for a new padlock, it’s essential to understand the characteristics that best exemplify a quality product. While you won’t have to worry about a key, overall, they are the weaker option in terms of security. A shackle is the curved, metal bar that opens or locks in place.Ĭombination padlocks are suitable for inexpensive items that people wouldn’t go to a lot of trouble to steal, or for relatively safe areas, like a school. The shackle is released when every cam’s indentation lines up together, and the lock opens. Cams are small discs that have an indentation in them. Combination PadlocksĬombination padlocks use a numbered combination to rotate several cams into a position to allow the shackle to be released. This padlock style is the most secure against lockpicks, but you will have to keep track of the key. Keys that do not have the correct cut will not position the pins correctly, and you will be unable to open the lock. Each pin must be set at a specific height by the key to turn the drum and open the lock. A locking pin is a thin, metal pin that slides within the core of the padlock. Keyed padlocks require that a key be inserted into the lock to slide several locking pins into position before you can open the lock. Beyond this simple difference, this article describes the locking mechanisms more thoroughly below.

Brass padlock series#

As indicated by their names, you use a key to access a keyed padlock and enter a series of numbers to open a combination padlock. The type is not determined by how the padlock looks, but in the mechanism used to open the lock. Padlocks come in two main standards: Keyed and combination.