Gate vandal problem solved

greblo · Post by **greblo** » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:08 pm

Greg,
Unless my memory is wrong, the only circumstances where the big lock hasn't worked is when we modified it to make it easier to open. On two occasions, Fred has welded a washer or a large nut on the shaft to make it easer to pull open. This welded-on protrusion defeated the lock's clever design by giving the vandal a place to secure a cable or chain to snap off the shaft. This has happened twice, but neither time did the culprit gain entry through the gate. He just made it a little more difficult for us to get in with the combination.

I'm not aware of a single instance, not one, where any unauthorized person has gotten through that big lock, even after hours of trying; and ever time we've used more traditional locks, they've been busted with gas torches, hack saws, dremel tools, bolt cutters, and sawzalls.

Fred has agreed not to weld the nut on again, so hopefully we can all relax. Keep the creative juices flowing though cuz who knows what might develop.

Tom Cornelius · Post by **Tom Cornelius** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:49 am

Why worry about the lock on top when there is a cheap master lock on the bottom??? Tom Cornelius

greblo · Post by **greblo** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:22 am

Tom, the answer to your question is.......because the Master lock on bottom is the responsibility of the Forest Service and it's a large commercial industrial lock that's much more difficult to circumvent. On the occasions that is has been successfully attacked, I've quickly replaced it as part of an agreement that I have with the District Ranger.

Our responsibility is to make sure that our lock is at least as secure as the Forest Service Lock, and that we demonstrate we are responsible users. The District Ranger is happy with that.

OP · Post by OP » Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:44 pm

Time to get unnecessary with things:

1. The old bar was plenty strong, this one only has a feature which allows the bar to sit such it should be easier to manipulate the combo.

2. The new material is a 400 series stainless, the FEA suggests that this shape will hold more than 50000 lbs before the hole will fail. Let me say that even with an industrial bandsaw this stuff is difficult to cut.

Busto · Post by **Busto** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:50 pm

Has the forestry lock ever been broken?

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:16 pm

Since I have a need for them, I ordered some of those master locks with the no-look directional combo pictured above. I got them today. They are pretty cool and you can unlock it in 2 seconds with one hand and your eyes closed. The combination of moves can be changed to whatever you want and as many moves as you want. BUT, they are not very heavy duty at all.

If they made a big strong one it would be perfect, but they don't. Anyway, they are pretty cool for locks that you need to open in the dark.

Busto · Post by **Busto** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:21 pm

If the forestry lock has never been broken into, why not make it to where both lock are on the bottom.

It can be done and then we can use the lock you are talking about, or use the same kind of lock the forestry uses.

Glenn · Post by **Glenn** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:27 pm

Just an idea:

The only real difficulty of the current lock is that you can't see the numbers while you are manipulating it because your own hand blocks the view. So, what if we drilled a small hole in the top of the pipe that contains the lock. Just big enough to look into and see the numbers while you manipulate the lock? Maybe a 3/8" hole. I can't remember if there is anything else in the way to block that view straight down. It would be easy to test this in a mock up before actually drilling the pipe.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:04 pm

The USFS lock has been destroyed, too. Greblo takes care of replacing it for them, in the club's name. They appreciate it very much.

Since Joe gets a rush from playing the game with the vandals, I think we should leave it to him, at least until he retires from the sport. That may not be too far off, so all of the pretenders to the King-of-the-Locks throne should keep your ideas warmed up but secret; no use tipping off the vandals that watch this forum.

Busto · Post by **Busto** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:17 pm

There is no way around it, the best lock is the one we have.

Practice makes perfect.

OP · Post by OP » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:09 pm

Almost done. Just have to cut the back off, and send it off for surface treatment.

OP · Post by OP » Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:24 am

in house PVD isn't an option. Looks like i'll go with electroless nickle.

skygeek AKA Seabass · Post by **skygeek AKA Seabass** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 9:48 pm

Is that a time machine in the back ground? Where can I get one?

OP · Post by OP » Thu Dec 22, 2011 9:55 am

It's a vapor deposition machine. I tried to toss it in the machine to have a aluminum oxide (what sapphire is) coating put on it. You want it to be tough like the 90,000 psi steel that it is, yet extremely hard. However the machine wasn't setup for aluminum oxide nor will it be at anytime in the future.

Busto · Post by **Busto** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 11:24 am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroless_nickel_plating

dhmartens · Post by **dhmartens** » Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:56 am

Possibly Bruce Springsteen should be detained as a person of interest
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yuc4BI5NWU[/youtube]

Sylmar Hang Gliding Association

Gate vandal problem solved

gate lock solved