At 08:30 27-09-1999 -0500, you wrote:
>Picking a standard lock isn't that difficult, especially with the right
>tools.
>
>I've never tried an ACE or "round" type lock, but I was always under the
>impression that those were virtually impossible to pick, even for a pro?!?
<snip>
That was one of the ideas for tubulars -- that they would be very much
pick-resistant.
Tubular locks depend on depressing each of the pins to exactly the right
depth, and the tolerances are very tight. My best guess is that it would
take -hours- of continuous effort, assuming that a tool even exists for it,
because all the pins have to be held in precisely the right position
simultaneously.
If you think tubulars are tricky, take a look at the Medeco high-security
cylinders. Not only do you have vertical pins, you've also got a series of
cams along the side that are angle-sensitive. That's why you'll see the
keys cut with angled notches.
I once heard a rumor that Medeco had a standing reward of $10,000 for
anyone who could successfully pick one of their high-sec cylinders. If such
a reward does exist, I've yet to hear of it being claimed.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
http://www.bluefeathertech.com // E-mail: kyrrin_at_bluefeathertech.com
Amateur Radio: WD6EOS since Dec. '77
"Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our
own human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."
Received on Mon Sep 27 1999 - 09:24:37 BST