Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with lock

Securing a bicycle seat

pulled_levers — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:08:58 -0800

Recommendations on securing a quick-release bicycle seatpost? I'd really prefer for my seat-post to stay intact without adding too much weight to my bicycle. Any recommendations?

Help! My door knob is stuck and I'm trapped in my room!

birdlady — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:06:44 -0800

Help! I'm stuck in my bedroom. The knob won't turn much either way and won't come unlatched. The only person who has a key to my house is out of town, so I can't even call a locksmith and have him let in. How can I get out of my bedroom? The door knob is the kind with screws only on the exterior. I've tried to slide a credit card in, but that did not yield results. Anyone have any advice to help me get out of my room?

"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." —H. G. Wells

regicide is good for you — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:00:01 -0800

Would you be willing to trust your bike to the Abus Granit Futura mini U-lock? (Either alone or as part of some u-lock/chain combo). Anyone have experience with it? I'm tired of lugging heavy locks, and I've been told it has a good rep for what it is.

How do I keep a Weber grill from being stolen?

agentmunroe — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:24:59 -0800

I'd like to get my dad a shiny new Weber grill. I'd like to keep it from "walking away", however. Any ideas? So my dad is quite the grillmaster - not much he can't do on 22.5 inches of cooking space - and his old kettle grill is getting rather rusty, so I'd like to set him up with a new Weber One-Touch Gold grill. The only difficulty is that he lives in a mediocre part of town and unsecured things in the backyard have a habit of disappearing, and knowing how those things get put together we're trying to figure out the best way to secure it.

The best I've figured is one cable-lock tying the handle on the top to the handles of the bottom, and then another one (or perhaps a long chain) tied to some of the cheap plastic furniture in the backyard to make it really inconvenient to steal. I don't think this will keep them from taking it if they really, really want it, but our hope is that it'll make it daunting enough that they'll just give up and move on. I'd probably also get a cover for it, to make it stand out a bit less.

Before we implement this, though, any other ideas? I did some Googling around and really couldn't find anything useful, so any suggestions would be great.

Click. Click.

Skyanth — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:25:00 -0800

What is the use of double locks? Not two separate lock, just the kind of lock that you can turn once (which locks the door) and then another time, in the same direction (which locks the door... more?). If the door is only safely locked with two turns of the key, why would you offer the option to turn it only once? And if the door is just as safely locked with only one turn of they key, why offer the option for a second turn?

I've been thinking about his for some time. The only explanation I can come up with is that one turn is not enough to push the bolt far enough to really lock the door. But that would mean that all non-double locking doors are actually not safe? Surely that's not true.

Help me get started with electronics

dance — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:31:13 -0800

DIY RFID door lock. I've been wanting to play around with RFID for a long while, and so I've bought an electronic cabinet lock to teach myself a bit of soldering and basic electronics.

Facts about the cabinet lock:
-Works on 12v ac/dc
-Has five contacts: 1+2 12v; 3 n/open; 4 n/closed; 5 common

I'd like to buy an RFID kit to control the lock. But I have a couple of questions.

1) Would I need two power supplies, one for the RFID kit and one for the cabinet lock, or would one power supply power both?
a) What search term do I need for a power supply? All the power supplies I've seen don't have cables with soldered tips, they have plugs for sockets like mobile phones
b) Could I run it from batteries, how would I work out the life-span of the battery when I don't know the amperage draw of the cabinet lock?

2) Does n/open and n/closed refer to normally open and normally closed? Should the device be wired so that that 1+2 (12v) constantly gets supplied with 12v, but either 3 or 4 (depending on wished for functionality) gets supplied with current briefly and the lock does its stuff. I have no idea what common might be. Apart from that the lock apparently has a built-in microswitch to output to LED etc and that it could conceivably be that.

Could anyone recommend an RFID kit to power this? I've seen an $18 kit on eBay but it required modifying the PCB to actually do anything other than just recognise key fobs. But that's ideally the price bracket I'm looking in! It's what the cabinet lock cost!

Thanks

Always locked front door knob

fnerg — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:35:59 -0800

I'm looking for a front door lock or doorknob that stays locked even after you've opened the door. Basically, I'm forgetful, and I forget to lock the front door. I'd like something that removes the choice. The door should stay locked, even after opening it with the key. Home Depot only sells incredibly ugly storage room door handles that are completely inappropriate for the front door, but do what I want. Rejuvenation Hardware has incredibly expensive, very pretty front door handles with a "day latch" mode, as they put it that does exactly what I want.

1) Is there an actual word for what I'm looking for? I'm not even sure how to google it at the moment. (The phrase "day latch" gets me nothing.)
2) Is there some sort of middle ground, price-wise between $40 at home depot, and $600 at Rejuvenation?

Bike Lock Suggestions?

mizike — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:10:52 -0800

Best bike lock in the $20-30 range? Pretty self explanatory; my bike is only worth ~$150 so I don't really want to buy some ultra premium $50+ lock, but I don't want to get a complete POS either (I've dropped into one or two local stores and those, unfortunately, seem to be the only options around here). I'm thinking either this kryptonite or this one from onguard; any other suggestions?

Handiman?Handiwoman? Please help me open these 1960's era windows.

pomegranate — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:44:09 -0800

How do I open these aluminum windows from the 60's? The lock has a top-of-window sash component, then a metal ribbon-looking thing, and a screw in the top of the bottom sash. It's a beautiful day here in Houston and I really want to open the windows but I also want to be able to lock the windows again later.
I know my way around some WD-40 and a flat-head screwdriver but I thought I better come here to learn how the locks are supposed to work before I end up accidentally removing them completely.

Thanks for your help!

Can't get the lock together

Countess Elena — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:22:22 -0800

Can you help me get this door to lock behind me? I'm trying to lock a storage closet. The lock is of the ordinary tumbler type, with three tongues (?) close together and a smaller fourth one below. The door handle only turns when you turn the key in the lock. It's supposed to lock behind you when you shut it.

This isn't happening. The door can be pushed open after I shut it. Since the door handle still won't turn without the key, I don't think the handle is the problem. (I did turn the key in numerous ways to make sure I wasn't supposed to be actively locking it, and that's not the case.)

I think the problem is that the tongues aren't perfectly aligned and don't quite catch in the holes. I keep trying to slam the door hard and create the force to shove the lock together, but the door has one of those hydraulic wossnames that makes it shut gently every time. If I had someone on the other side to push the door hard, I bet that would work -- but of course there's only the one door out.

I could probably get this looked at on Monday, but no sooner. I've got crap in there now, though. Do you have any suggestions to work around it till then?

A laptop lock that can't be defeated by pens or pennies

Ky — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:27:57 -0800

Is there a good $50-ish laptop/notebook lock out there that *can't* be opened by a toilet paper tube, ballpoint pen, penny, or other common item? I'm not looking for a bullet-proof solution, but I do remember the famed news some years ago about using common Bic ballpoint pens to open the Kryptonite bike lock and Kensington/Targus locks (I think that particular news peaked in 2004), and the latest bit I found was a 2007 blog article noting how to open a Kensington Microsaver with a penny (the blog doesn't actually tell you how, only that someone else found out how and published it--the comment about PIN numbers is also great).

Unfortunately, I haven't found a handy list of all laptop lock models that have somewhat ridiculous security flaws like those noted above. I prefer to use a key instead of a combination since that's one less thing to remember...

Can I lock in todays rates for a future building project?

Thrillhouse — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:43:13 -0800

Mortgage Expert Needed: How do I take advantage of these low low mortgage rates BEFORE I gain building approval. I currently own my home. Now that financing rates are crazy low its time to start planning that addition we've always wanted. Using home equity isn't an option since the cost of the addition would bring us well over our current home value.
Our only option SEEMS to be a construction loan but that requires that you have all your approvals before you can secure the loan.

My problem is that we need to complete a conservation commission review and approval before we can build. The problem with that is that we now have 2 freakin feet of snow on the ground and conservation won't even look at it until they can see the ground, spring at the earliest.

I'm afraid by then the loan rates will not be anywhere near where they are today and this will become less cost effective for us.

Is there ANY way to lock in today's rates for a future building project??
Are there ANY other options??

bump (key) for (no) justice

oats — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:17:14 -0800

It looks like someone tried to open my front door with a bump key. What should I do? The deadbolt lock on my front door has become very difficult to open, and there is the imprint of the top of another key on the front of the keyway. I'm a little freaked out. Should I report this to the police? Is it likely whoever did this will be back later?

Any suggestions as to what I might do?

locked out!

LordSludge — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:21:40 -0800

So I locked myself out... The deadbolt is unlocked but the handle is locked. It's a Schlage. I ripped the handle off and am now holding the outer lock barrel in my hands. Do I simply have to turn the inner metal piece now? (hard to get to but maybe I can scare up some pliers.) or should I just call the locksmith now?

Balcony Door Secret

Tube — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:02:16 -0800

Do theater balcony doors have secret unlocking mechanisms? Back in the 1980's, I went to a theater in Missoula Montana with my friend Mark. We walked up the stairs to the balcony area but we saw the doors were closed and locked. At this point something very strange occurred, so strange in fact that I begin to wonder if it's a false memory.

Mark told me that theater balcony doors often have secret bypass mechanisms, which allow those in the know to open the door without a key. Mark reached up to the top of the door and located what I remember to be a hidden wire, which he pulled and sure enough the door opened. We went inside and started watching the movie. I think the manager later saw us and told us to leave...

Mark was not a Montana native, and would have acquired this information somewhere else.

Is this a common practice, or is my memory on par with alien abduction accounts...?

Utility Company Security?? Who Manages?

dyerfr — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:05:46 -0800

Who runs physical plant security at utility companies?? Think: cell towers, eletrical utilities, water utlities, etc... any company that has remote locations... My company has a product that we'd use to provide secure access to these locations; it is a lock, but one that can provide access only at certain times to people who have been given the right code. We're looking at companies who have these remote areas and need to provide access to vendors, contractors, etc. but would prefer not to give out keys or 'static' codes for locks (and would also prefer not to have to go with the contractor to the site...)

I need a locking doorknob.

Verdandi — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 11:13:03 -0800

I need to install a key-locking doorknob on my bedroom door. What sort of options do I have, and can I do this myself? Since I still live at home for at least a bit longer, I decided I need a little more security so I can keep my possessions where they should be (my very slightly younger brother seems to have a problem with putting things back where they belong). So, since my bedroom door doesn't lock, I'd like to make it do so, from the outside and inside.

So, my question(s):
1) How easy is this to do? I'm pretty home improvement savvy, so I think I could handle anything as long as I have instructions.

2) Are any key-lock doorknobs better than others? Or are they all pretty much the same? I have access to pretty much every home improvement store, including a small professional locksmith.

Thanks a ton in advance :)

Car Door Lock Malfunction

forallmankind — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:52:35 -0800

When I lock my car with the remote, approx every 1 in 5 times the drivers door doesn't lock. I hear the mechanism activate, but I can see that the little lock handle on the inside of the door only moves halfway. Similar thing happens on unlock. What's going on here and who can fix this - my regular mechanic wasn't able to help. I had a few other electrical quirks (fuel guage inaccurate, lights not powering off after locking car) which have been resolved by replacing the battery, but the lock problem's still there.

Is this something worth trying to fix? It's a minor pain that I'd like resolved, but it ain't such a big deal as to drop $100s on. Who fixes things like this? And why does it happen intermittantly - that's what's driving me crazy!

03 Infiniti G35 Coupe, 77K miles.

Keyless entry

dance — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:58:11 -0800

What's the state of play in the home/office keyless entry world now? I am aware of this thread from 2005. I've had a long interest in biometrics, RFID and truth be told, locks in general. I would really like to kit out an interior door out with a biometric (fingerprint, in this case) lock! There are not that many different types (if the super-low-budget Chinese models available on eBay are not counted) available to choose from and information is scant. I understand, however, that the latest thinking on fingerprint locks is that models which scan a fingerprint which is drawn across a sensor are more secure. I am a little leary of the Mythbusters find that a supposedly secure (but unnamed) fingerprint lock could be easily fooled with a copy of the print - but it's true that my application is not top-security. This leads me to considering proximity readers/RFID/radio locks. I'm less excited about the way they work (the need to have the tag/card with you - whereas the fingerprint is always with you) but I imagine in the long run they are probably more reliable.

It seems that the web's most celebrated RFID/radio reader is the Mykey 2300 successor (can't find the original for sale anywhere) the AP501 and the best budget fingerprint reader is the iTouchless.

Does anyone have any experience of either of these two, or could offer an alternative recommendation, specific or broadly?

Much appreciated!

U-Lock Saw

jtajta — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:52:12 -0800

How do I liberate my bike from a U-lock? A few weeks ago, I locked my bike in front of my gym and went inside. I lost the key, somehow, and after contacting Kryptonite customer service for help, it seems as if I don't have the requisite paperwork to get them to make me a new key. Local locksmiths are asking somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 to come saw the lock off... I do, however, have access to lots of power tools, and am wondering if anyone has had to saw through a U-lock before and could offer advice. It's this lock.

By the way, I fully recognize that this looks pretty sketchy, but all I can do is assure you that it's my bike, it's been sitting in front of my gym for weeks, and well, the bike really isn't worth that much to begin with...

Thanks!

Bowlers in Bolivia and Peru

tellurian — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:30:01 -0800

There are two different stories about how bowler hats came to Bolivia and Peru. I'm looking for some original sources for the stories that bowler hats are "worn by Quechua and Aymara women in Peru and Bolivia since the 1920's when supposedly a shipment of bowler hats was sent from Europe to Bolivia via Peru for use by Europeans who were working on the construction of the railroad. The hats were found to be too small and were distributed to locals." -OR- It is a result of an over-order and an enterprising salesman who supposedly convinced them that the wearing of the hats would increase their fertility.

How can I break into an empty filing cabinet?

paddingtonb — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:56:26 -0800

How can I break into an (empty) filing cabinet? We have an old Hon 4 drawer filing cabinet like this
and a staff member wants to take it home to store tools in. It's locked, and we can't find the key. He doesn't want it unless I can get it unlocked, and I want it out of here!

I tried all the suggestions, including Adam Savage's, in this thread, to no avail. I think the lock construction is different on these guys, but I couldn't get the pin to budge.

I have all the tools you might find around an office including metal letter openers, paper clips, and we also have a small tool-kit. Any thoughts?

Welcome to our website. Our hours of operation are 2:00pm to 2:05pm.

lekvar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:35:31 -0800

In the movie Paprika by Satoshi Kon one of the tropes was a website that would show specific content at a specific time. While I'm sure this is possible, is it easily implementable? Better yet, is there an downloadable script or somesuch that I can use on my website? Can a page be time-locked?

I've lost my keys, am stuck inside, and not sure what to do.

iamkimiam — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:03:28 -0800

I seem to have lost my keys. I wish it were just that simple. Yesterday evening I came home from work. I went to unlock my inside door, only to find that the tumbler that was progressively getting looser, had finally tumbled. I called my landlord, the emergency line for the property management, and two locksmiths. I was eventually able to get one locksmith to come out. He sprayed and toggled some stuff, and wrote up a bill for $90 (I will be submitting the bill to my landlord for reimbursement). The locksmith left.

I then stepped outside to empty the garbage. I am *pretty* sure I didn't bring my keys with me. I attempted to go back inside, only to discover that my fixed door lock now automatically locks when the door shuts. I was locked out again, this time entirely my fault.

I spent a half an hour with my upstairs neighbors, where we schemed plans to shimmy down the bathroom chute. Called the landlord and the property management co. again. No avail. Eventually my upstairs neighbor found 1 spare key in the basement. He unlocked my door and let me in.

Stupidly, I went and did other things, assuming that I had left my keys indoors the whole time.

Now, today, I have been attempting to leave my apartment for the last three hours, but I cannot find my dang keys! Naturally, I think I've looked everywhere.

I'm not sure at this point what I should do. My landlord and the property management company still hasn't called me back–which is very typical of them. I don't want to bug my upstairs neighbor again (for the key they found yesterday)–partly because I'm embarrassed and also because the relationship between them and myself has been stressful since I've moved in (2 months ago).

None of this matters however, because the keychain contains 5 keys to the building, only ONE of which lets you in from the outside (and that one is actually a "credit card" that needs to be programmed–my landlord also charges a hefty fee for replacement...not that I can seem to get a hold of him anyway).

Seriously, what is my smartest option here? I can't seem to think clearly and I feel very trapped.

Do I really have to cut through the lock?

sailoreagle — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:50:26 -0800

Bicycle was locked outside (it's against the rules to bring it inside the apartment where I live). It rained, and the bicycle wasn't used for some time, and now the lock won't budge (it rusted, I think): key goes in, but doesn't turn. I tried WD-40 but it didn't work. Before I cut through the lock, are there any other solutions I could try?