Replies

1. 
   KARLSTER | Jun 28, 2003 05:01pm | #1

   I am not quite sure what you are asking my first boss once commented, "locks only keep honest people honest".

   I used to routinely drop my keys in my nailbags while working.  At the end of the day I would take off the nail bags, drop them in the Knaak box and snap the locks shut.  Moments later I would realize I had just locked the keys to the box as well as the keys to the truck inside.

   As a consequence I took a self taught crash course in lock opening.  I now know all but a few styles of locks will only put up more than token resistance to forced entry if the perpertrator has just a few basic tools.

   If I described how to do it I might be incurring the wrath of those who depend on locks to protect their belongings.  It is no big secret, I have just found most people don't like the insecurity of locks publicized to those who haven't already figured it out.

   I got a textbook at the used bookstore called something like "Locks and Locksmithing".  It can help enlighten one on how locks work and various emergency opening techniques.

   I since switched to master combination locks on the Knaak boxes and found out the hard way that the lock needs to be depressed an 1/8" after dialing the combo in order to release it.  The lock is such a precise fit that there was no room to depress it.  Thus I put fifty dollars worth of locks on two boxes, locked them, and the next morning despite having the correct combo I found I was unable to open them.  That lead to more emergency opening techniques and fifty dollars more locks that night.  I did do a bit of relieving with a file prior to putting in the new locks so now it works like a champ.

   FWIW it takes me longer to force open the combo locks than it does the keyed locks.

   Karl

2. 
   r_ignacki | Jun 28, 2003 05:21pm | #2

   I don't know. 

   But when someone used to pull up to the job with a brandy new camper top on their pu, out come all the keys and someone else would have an worn key that would open it up.

   As for the knaack box ? We used to do board-ups for the city after they raided crack-houses, they supplied us with lots of master padlocks, the same series that fits in the gang-box. Now I have two rings with assortments of keys(there'res probably a master key to replace all of them). Sometimes, on a job, the subs would all bring in their own knaack-box, so I'd try all my keys in everyones box and most of the time I could open up one. But who needs keys now. The padlocks I see now are all combination, and usually, the owner sets the combination with the same last four digits of their phone or fax #. Fowards or bacwards.

   I guess you could fire up your cutting torch, and burn your way in, alomg with anything that's in there.
1. 
   fredsmart48 | Jun 28, 2003 09:59pm | #3

   don't forget the battery powered cutting and grinding tools.  They could make short work of most locks. 

1. 
   swdd | Jun 28, 2003 10:09pm | #4

   Lock boxes? Shoot. I had a friend that was working in South Boston. Had a van. While he was working in someone's house , somebody parked next to his van and opened the side of it with a reciprocal saw. Sad and scary. (think I told this story before)

   Scott

1. 
   MisterT | Jun 28, 2003 10:18pm | #5

   Some timnes I think that crooks put so much thought, time and effort in stealing stuff that it ould be easier for them to go straight.Mr T

   Do not try this at home!

   I am an Experienced Professional!

3. 
   Piffin | Jun 29, 2003 03:10pm | #6

   As I remember that thread, there are only about a dozen or so keys for them so it is likely that someone with a hanful of their keys can open half ther boxes out there.

   I remember the old '63 Chevys with wings surronding the key insert for the ignition. A lot of them, once broke in, could be started with no key by just turning the ignition with the wings. Keys were pretty much interchangeable.

   When I was copping, we got a call one night for stolen vehicle. A tourist with a '63 Chevy had parked in front of the bar/restaurant and it disappeared while he was eating dinner with his family. A simil;ar car beloinging to one of the town drunks was parked nearby. I callled his house had a pleasent chat with his wife since he was already gone to bed. I asked her if she wouldn't mind checking whether the car in their driveway was his or not.

   She came back on the phone with more than a little surprise in her voice. It seems that his key had fit the tourists car and in his self-induced fog, he didn't notice other minor differences in the vehicle. We made a swap and all was well.

   Another funny one -

   One day waiting at the ferry line, I got out of our car and left my wife at the wheel while I took a stroll around the shore. A sudden thunderburst encouraged me to seek shelter in the vehicle immediately. I ran and jumped into the passenger seat with an exclamation to wife about .... but it wasn't my car. I nearly scared that old lady roght out or her wits to have me pop into her car unexpectedly, slamming the door and hollering out loud...

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!