Crappy master Magnum disc padlock pair

[driftpin]

For the second time, I've had to return a new pair of Master Magnum disc padlocks because the *&$$#! key won't open one of the padlocks easily. Yes, "Made in China!" For those of you who note the COO, here's more fodder for the Complaints Dept.

I'm getting ready for a carport-to-garage project and rented a storage unit, 10 x 20 ft. I have the truck & trailer loaded for a deposit into the storage facility, bought a new pair of Master padlocks, and one of them doesn't work. The same thing happened a few months ago when I was getting another pair of the same thing. These are supposed to be their 'best' locks of this style. What sort-of **** are the low-level ones?

 

[The Cobbler]

did you try to lube them with anything?
I have a copule KA master padlocks on storage units for at least 10 yrs. they are flawless with occasional lube of wd40

 

[CJM8515]

Id suggest lubing it. We used those at a job I had and it was opened like 20x a day with no issues even from copied keys

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Take a wire brush and debur the keys. Lube won't hurt either.

 

[driftpin]

Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I tried lubing them and I hand-inspected the keys for any burrs. Neither helped a bit.

I took the pair back to HD & bought a new pair, same thing, but before I went to the register, I borrowed needle-nose pliers from the tool crib, and tried the keys, both of them and they worked OK. So I bought them and am on my way to the storage facility to swap-out the locks there for these.

The Chinese factory obviously doesn't do any inspection on the production line to check for operation. If they did, I wouldn't have to return the last two pairs of disc locks for non-operational keys.

 

[barks]

And if the Chinese did the inspection you mention you wouldn't be able to buy the locks as cheaply. One gets what one pays for--regardless of COO.

 

[rburke65]

So.....the next question is, who makes locks mfg. in the USA?

 

[gasserdan]

Wilson Bohannan is U.S.A. made. I have not found anything that is chinese made that is worth owning.

 

[bwringer]

You might want to peruse the "Bosnian Bill" channel on Youtube. Master locks are hilariously awful.

 

[theoldwizard1]

So.....the next question is, who makes locks mfg. in the USA?

First, very few (is any) locks are made in the USA.

Second, the best locks come from Germany or other EU countries. ABUS is one of the best, but they are NOT cheap !

Disc locks are good because it is difficult to cut the hasp with a bolt cutters. Battery operate grinders will open just about anything reasonable quickly.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You might want to peruse the "Bosnian Bill" channel on Youtube. Master locks are hilariously awful.

Good, but the Lock Picking Lawyer is better !

 

[LS6 Tommy]

"Wet" lubes are not good for any lock, especially infrequently used ones. It may work short term, but it will attract grit and dust and eventually the lock will be worse than it started out.

Tommy

 

[ckeene]

Locks are for honest people

 

[rlitman]

First, very few (is any) locks are made in the USA.

Second, the best locks come from Germany or other EU countries. ABUS is one of the best, but they are NOT cheap !

Disc locks are good because it is difficult to cut the hasp with a bolt cutters. Battery operate grinders will open just about anything reasonable quickly.

Agreed. ABUS makes the best disc locks I've seen, if you're into the disc type. It does have some advantages, and the Abus disc lock isn't all that expensive. Also, the Master disc is known to have issues where water collects in the bottom of the disc and freezes up the lock. Abus doesn't have this issue, and they use stainless parts internally.

"Wet" lubes are not good for any lock, especially infrequently used ones. It may work short term, but it will attract grit and dust and eventually the lock will be worse than it started out.

Tommy

+1 My favorite is CRC Heavy Duty Silicone spray. It's not a great lube, but it doesn't attract dirt, it repels water, and doesn't build up into a sticky mess. Still, I'll flush out a lock with carb cleaner first before lubing.

I've been turned onto hexagonal boron nitride by this site, and all I can say is that stuff is wonder lube for locks. Nothing has made my Medeco locks work more smoothly.

 

[Bessy]

Battery operate grinders will open just about anything reasonable quickly.

This. A padlock these days does three things reasonably well:
1) It keeps the opportunists and the honest people out.
2) It advertises that there is a good chance something worth while is inside.
3) It makes it hard for you to get at your own stuff when you forget a key.

Unfortunately if it's off site, a lock is only as good as the eyes watching it.

 

[PFSard]

I've been turned onto hexagonal boron nitride by this site, and all I can say is that stuff is wonder lube for locks. Nothing has made my Medeco locks work more smoothly.

Do you have a reference as to where you bought the hexagonal boron nitride?

 

[rlitman]

Do you have a reference as to where you bought the hexagonal boron nitride?

From MicroLubrol on eBay.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I've got a handful of older American made locks that have worked so well for me for years. I just bought a used Master that works like ball bearings and cost me less than the same thing made in china, that is total ****.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Unfortunately if it's off site, a padlock is only as good as the eyes watching it.

Sadly true since the invention of battery operated grinders. A couple of exceptions.

The round locks they put on the back of service van doors with the heavy guard will ward off a grinder attack for a long time.

The round key lock cylinders are better especially if the locking mechanism is behind a heavy plate (think vending machine), although these very in quality and resistance to being picked. The best have "re-lock" mechanism built in so that if it is picked, if will re-lock before completely unlocking. The person can then re-pick the lock but it adds time and they may have to re-pick the lock 2 or 3 times.

 

[ScottsGT]

Good, but the Lock Picking Lawyer is better !

He sounds just like this guy.