• rockSlayer@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Tubular locks are extremely simple to pick. The only reason they’re used is because they’re cheap and used to protect cheap stuff, like food in vending machines

    • scottywh@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Some tubular locks are simple to pick and yes a modified bic pen is the poor man’s pick but it’s certainly not all of them that can be done that easily.

      • droans@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Anyone can pick the lock in seconds if they take the time to learn.

        My dad owned a few vending machines when I was a kid. Since they were used, he had to replace the locks on all of them and taught us how to pick them. It’s relatively easy to do so. I think he only ever ended up drilling out one of the cylinders while he was able to pick the rest.

        A Bic pen won’t work that well, but a $50 pick will.

        • scottywh@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I own a tubular lockpick set and have experience picking locks.

          Not all tubular locks are as easy as you think they are, I assure you.

          You can see my previous comment in this thread explaining that I’ve also owned and operated multiple types of vending machines over the years.

    • Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 year ago

      Yup, perfect for just making it slightly too annoying for kids to get into toilet paper holders in public bathrooms.

      • scottywh@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        The toilet paper and paper towel holders are usually not tubular locks…

        Most of those can actually be picked with a small screwdriver or even a zipper pull from a coat or similar clothing item though.

        • Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de
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          1 year ago

          They are here in sweden, exact kind of lock as the image. Ever since i worked at a theme park i’ve been unable to not notice the locks lol

          • scottywh@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            Interesting… The majority in the US are definitely not but they’re actually much easier to pick than most tubular locks.

    • Eheran@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The reason they are used is because people think they are safe because they look special and, of course, they are also small and cheap.