Picking tubular locks

From: Roger Goswick <ccfsm_at_ipa.net>
Date: Mon Sep 27 09:20:56 1999

Hi:
 For what it's worth - when I worked in the Cooler department here
at Coca-Cola we used a automotive dent puller (which is a kind of
slide hammer) to pull locks in vending machines. We had the hardest
type to break into because we used Abloy locks. I was always amazed
by how easy it was to break the lock. Just pick a stout machine
screw that is a little bigger than the key insert hole in the lock -
insert screw as far as possible - attach screw to dent puller and
work the slide with great vigor. It didn't take more than one try on
most locks! Might work - might not. Sure is easy to try.


rdg

-----Original Message-----
From: CLASSICCMP-owner_at_u.washington.edu
[mailto:CLASSICCMP-owner_at_u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of
CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com
Sent: 27 September, 1999 8:50 AM
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
Subject: RE: Picking tubular locks


>At 07:14 PM 9/25/99 +0100, Tony Duell wrote:
>>
>>What sort of lock is it? Most locks can be picked, although the
worst
>>common type is the 'Ace' tubular lock, which I guess this is
likely to
>>be.

>Argh, now there's a useful thread topic. I've got a few systems in
>the basement that need picking, and I've put them aside until I
know how.
>Any tips? I seem to remember some hacker text file on the topic.

It's probably simpler to buy the correct key. All DEC systems with
tubular locks that I've met use a XX2247 key, and all the DG systems
use identical keys too (but I don't have my DG key on my keychain at
this
moment so I can't give you the pattern #.)

The later "plastic key" DEC locks can be turned with just about
anything -
they aren't really locks at all.

And replacing a tubular lock of unkown code with a tubular lock with
known code is fairly simple.
You only have to replace the cylinder (making sure that the new
cylinder
you get will accept the cam that the old cylinder used to activate
the
actual switches).

Tim.
Received on Mon Sep 27 1999 - 09:20:56 BST