Quick anti padlock trick

[Scythe13]

[Steve]

Cheap padlocks, the type that lock automatically when you close them rather than you locking them manually by turning the key, can often be opened by hitting each side simultaneously with a small hammer. The shock pushes the locking catch out of the notch and the lock springs open. Exposed padlocks without high shoulders can be simply twisted off with a large adjustable spanner, the same trick on a decent padlock often breaks the ironwork off the door.

I had a workshop in Bermondsey, so I've seen these a few times.

[Scythe13]

[Skean Dhude]

Those are reasons I get good padlocks and good brackets for my stuff. You can't do either of those.

Sheer brute force making a lot of noise over time is required to get into mine. Padlock is inside a metal box which makes it awkward to get to. Just bash the box away first but it takes time and creates noise.

You can't stop people breaking in but you can make it difficult and if you can make it noisy then they move on to easier victims. After an event the rules change slightly after all Plod won't be coming but a 357 magnum may be.

[BeardyMan]

Padlock shims are handy. Use a coke can or similar. Wear gloves though, freshly cut coke can will slice into your thumb with alarming ease...

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Or for most locks over here, an old electric toothbrush with a needle attached to the end (to jiggle the pins) and another sliver of metal to turn the barrel will get you in

[bigpaul]

BOLTCUTTERS!!

[BeardyMan]

BOLTCUTTERS!!

Only any good if you have them with you.
Plus then it's evident you've been in there.

There's always an empty can of coke or beer can laying around. Use the shims and no one will ever know...

[bigpaul]

BOLTCUTTERS!!

Only any good if you have them with you.
Plus then it's evident you've been in there.

There's always an empty can of coke or beer can laying around. Use the shims and no one will ever know...

well I was assuming we were talking POST SHTF! get in, clear the place out and bugger off...fast!!

[BeardyMan]

BOLTCUTTERS!!

Only any good if you have them with you.
Plus then it's evident you've been in there.

There's always an empty can of coke or beer can laying around. Use the shims and no one will ever know...

well I was assuming we were talking POST SHTF! get in, clear the place out and bugger off...fast!!

aye, even post SHTF it might be nice to have another method of entering a locked property without leaving signs that security has been breached. You never know, you may find more stuff than you can carry in one trip, and might want to leave it for a day or two before returning. Cutting / smashing or otherwise breaking the lock would be a sure sign that someone's been in. But bump the lock, grab what you can carry then secure the lock again and no one is any the wiser

[bigpaul]

BOLTCUTTERS!!

Only any good if you have them with you.
Plus then it's evident you've been in there.

There's always an empty can of coke or beer can laying around. Use the shims and no one will ever know...

well I was assuming we were talking POST SHTF! get in, clear the place out and bugger off...fast!!

aye, even post SHTF it might be nice to have another method of entering a locked property without leaving signs that security has been breached. You never know, you may find more stuff than you can carry in one trip, and might want to leave it for a day or two before returning. Cutting / smashing or otherwise breaking the lock would be a sure sign that someone's been in. But bump the lock, grab what you can carry then secure the lock again and no one is any the wiser

have some of your own padlocks in store, cut off the padlock with the boltcroppers, take what you can carry then replace padlock with your own...that should stump anyone else!!

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you can get a set of padlocks that all use the same key! should save on carrying a bunch of keys.