Jan 13, 2025, 11:11 PMThursday's lock was opened in a few seconds, immediately after that little padlock. No-one ever said it has to be pin tumblers, now did they?
- Jan 13, 2025, 11:11 PM
Replies
- Jan 13, 2025, 11:13 PM
Friday saw the first lever lock of the year, the Union StrongBOLT. Took a while. Turned out to be a really high lift key. 2214122.
- Jan 13, 2025, 11:19 PM
This is the cylinder to a CISA electric lock. These are becoming very popular as front door locks for Edinburgh stairwells. I've fitted a few, and fixed a few, as well as defeated several!
The little solenoid trp mechanism inside is spring loaded by the closing action of the door, in a very neat manner, it can't be easily defeated, but it toggles open mechanically at the slightest press of the release button, so seems to satisfy the local fire officer.
But, dear reader, when they go wrong (usually down to lack of servicing or poor fitting, or both) they really do jam up!
- Jan 13, 2025, 11:21 PM
ERA Fortress 2. Does anyone recall the first gen of this lock? Was a disaster... But the updated version has done really well.
In case you're wondering, no, I don't ever cheat and look at the key! What would be the point of that?
- Jan 13, 2025, 11:23 PM
Last one to be caught up: another Union StrongBOLT, this time in sashlock. No key photo for this one.
- Jan 14, 2025, 12:42 AM
I first picked this EVVA on a steel door at 1am on Christmas eve morning, to get the water back on for about 90 people in a block of flats. I was quite happy to get it within 5 minutes.
I just picked it again, and it took far longer! Definitely has torpedo key pins - if you overset them, you're stuck until you do a full reset. - Jan 14, 2025, 1:37 AM
Then today's lock (because I was running behind) is this Yale. Higher security than normal, it's some restricted keyway, but wide open for picking. Lol at that key bitting! I overset the back three a few times. Then at what I thought was open, was two deep, deep spools in 1 & 2, but they were easily defeated.
