Re: James Bond Credit Card Lock Picks

["Robert L Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> RHC: I don't know of anyone who has ever
> picked a Medeco lock successfully...

Not only are they virtually impossible to pick.  They're also quite
difficult to drill out.  One model I saw at an ISC show had a free rotating
disc that would simply spin if a drill was used to try to compromise the
tumblers.  They even supply hardened steel ball bearings to jam inside the
heads of the allen screws to keep someone from disassembling the double
cylinder ones from within.  I wondered how you're supposed to service it if
you use those. :^)

> Back when I was locksmithing full time, I
> used to hear stories about those who said
> they could do it, but I never met anyone
> who actually was successful. Maybe someone
> has actually done it since then, but I seriously doubt it. Even if it was
> possible, it would
> take far too long to gain access that way
> compared to other, easier points of entry.

Far easier and faster to destroy the door frame.

> Medeco locks are also of much stonger
> construction than conventional non high
> security locks, with ball bearings built in to
> drill spots to stop a thief intent on destroying
> the lock to get it open...

The bearings are to prevent disassembly.  The hardened discs do the rest.
Nice piece of engineering.

> Well worth the money for commercial applications,
> but massive overkill for residential IMO. Expensive to rekey as well !!
> But again, ANY lock is only as
> good as the strike...usually the weakest point in the
> door locking system !!