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Adding more locks and starting on discussing keyways. All drafts. No releases yet.
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‎content/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/brinks/brinks-model-164-38011/index.md‎

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---
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title: "Master Lock Model M930"
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description: "Notes on picking the Master Lock Model M930"
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title: "Brinks Model 164-38011"
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description: "Notes on the Brinks Model 164-38011."
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date: 2026-03-24T07:25:01-06:00
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lastmod: 2026-03-09
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lastmod: 2026-03-31
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author: "Timothy Loftus (n3s0)"
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cover: ""
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draft: true
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## Summary
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---
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## Master Lock Model M930
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---
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## Gutting The Master Lock Model M930
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## Brinks Model 164-38011
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---
2018

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## Where To Find These Locks
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---
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## Lock Pickers United Rating (Unknown)
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The Brinks Model 164 is pretty sparse to find in hardware stores within my
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region. I actually found this model in a local Walmart. Apart from online stores
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like Amazon and others. I could not find this lock in other local hardware
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stores like Home Depo, Lowes, or Menards. So Walmart and online stores are my
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options for this lock.
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## Lock Pickers United Rating (Yellow Belt)
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---
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## Conclusions & Opinions
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---
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> **2026-03-25:**
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>
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> The lock I purchased for this had a fairly permissive keyway. So, I will wait
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> until I find another lock in the same model before I post any conclusions on
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> its security. For now I will say I've had a harder time with a Master Lock No.
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> 1 then I have for this one. So, stay tuned for an update because I will be
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> reviewing keyways for locks before I buy them from now on.
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‎content/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/brinks/brinks-model-164-38012/index.md‎

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---
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title: "Brinks Model 164-38012"
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description: "Notes on the Brinks Model 164-38012"
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date: 2026-03-31T07:25:01-06:00
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lastmod: 2026-03-31
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author: "Timothy Loftus (n3s0)"
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cover: ""
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draft: true
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tags: ["Lock Picking", "Brinks", "Padlock"]
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---
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## Summary
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---
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## Brinks Model 164-38012
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---
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## Where To Find These Locks
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---
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In the midwest I've had luck finding this lock (164-38012) and its green twin
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(164-38011) at a Walmart. I haven't had much luck finding this anywhere else
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apart from online stores like Amazon.
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## Lock Pickers United Rating (Yellow Belt)
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---
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## Conclusions & Opinions
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---
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‎content/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/brinks/brinks-model-r70-173-70001/index.md‎

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---
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title: "Brinks Model R70 (173-70001) Discus Padlock"
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description: "Notes on the Brinks Model R70 (173-70001) Discus padock."
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date: 2026-03-31T07:25:01-06:00
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lastmod: 2026-03-31
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author: "Timothy Loftus (n3s0)"
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cover: ""
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draft: true
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tags: ["Lock Picking", "Brinks", "Padlock"]
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---
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## Summary
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---
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## Brinks Model R70 (173-70001) Discus Lock
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---
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## Where To Find These Locks
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---
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The Brinks Model R70 (173-70001) Disk Lock can be found in Walmart, Menards, etc
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locally here in the midwest. Another option is purchasing it from Amazon if
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anyone is looking for an online purchasing option.
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I provided the model number shown on the packaging so anyone can look it up and
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review their purchasing options.
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## Who uses these locks?
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---
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## Lock Pickers United Rating (Yellow Belt)
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---
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## Conclusions & Opinions
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---
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‎content/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/keyways/index.md‎

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---
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title: "Master Lock Keyways"
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description: "Notes on Master Lock keyways."
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date: 2026-03-30T07:25:01-06:00
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lastmod: 2026-03-30
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author: "Timothy Loftus (n3s0)"
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cover: ""
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draft: true
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tags: ["Master Lock", "Locksmithing"]
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---
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## Summary
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---
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## Master Lock No. 570
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---
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## Conclusion
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---
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‎content/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/master-lock-model-m530/imgs/master-lock-model-m530.jpg‎

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‎content/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/master-lock-model-m530/index.md‎

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---
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title: "Master Lock Model M530"
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description: "Notes on picking the Master Lock Model M530"
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date: 2026-04-03T07:25:01-06:00
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lastmod: 2026-04-03
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author: "Timothy Loftus (n3s0)"
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cover: "/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/master-lock-model-m530/imgs/master-lock-model-m530.jpg"
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draft: true
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tags: ["Lock Picking", "Master Lock", "Padlock"]
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---
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> Notes for this lock are not complete. But, by all means read away!
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## Summary
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---
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> The lock I purchased was the `Master Lock Model M530 DF` to be more specific.
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I found the `Master Lock Model M530` going to the padlock aisle in a `Home Depot`
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and I thought I'd pick it up to see what it's all about. Just by looking at it
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and watching videos of it online in the past I could tell that I could gut (take
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apart) the lock. So in essence I walked away with a little puzzle. I took it
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home. Played with the keys for a little bit, picked it, researched it, took it
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apart, etc. This is my lock library entry with all of the information related to
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the `Master Lock Model M530` providing my findings and information about the
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`M530` itself.
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> I'm happy to say that this is the first lock/padlock that I've gutted for the
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> purposes of learning more about this lock. Details about the lock can be found
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> in the next section where I explain more about the lock.
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After reading reviews online. On Amazon the reviews for this lock are good. I
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saw one review where removing the keys from the packaging required a lot of
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effort. I will say that I picked this padlock out of the packaging before
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removing the keys from the packaging because I couldn't remove them. Making
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removing the keys from the packaging probably the best security feature of this
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lock.
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That is not to take away from the fact that this will keep your honest bystander
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out of the container it's supposed to deny access to. But, let's go through this
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lock before I provide my full opinion.
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## Master Lock Model M530
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---
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![Master Lock Model M530](/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/master-lock-model-m530/imgs/master-lock-model-m530.jpg)
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> It doesn't look like this lock is listed on the Master Lock website anymore.
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> So, I've been pulling information from different sources. This includes
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> resellers and [r/lockpicking](https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/) on Reddit.
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The `Master Lock Model M530` is labeled as a heavy duty outdoor padlock with a
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Boron-Carbide Shackle and a weather resistant solid steel body. Providing a
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four-pin pin and tumbler cylinder and a dual ball bearing locking mechanism. Of
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course. This padlock comes with two keys.
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### Intended Use:
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---
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Resellers market this as a good gate lock, shed lock, and storage locker lock.
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This could potentially be used to lock the backs of box trailers.
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### Materials Used:
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---
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Just a little overview of the materials used in the lock casing. This was
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something about the lock I was impressed with given the construction provided.
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Boron-carbide is the third strongest substance known to date. Though, I've seen
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videos from YouTube channels like the LockPickingLawyer in one of his videos
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(765[^1]) where he uses a pair of hydrolic bolt cutters to cut the shackles.
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The video referenced previously gives me a pretty good idea of what will and
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wont work with the Master Lock Model M530 shackle. In the video he discusses
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breaking into the lock and expressed that a hack saw or regular bolt cutters
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didn't work. He also features the Master Lock Model M530 in video (1408[^2])
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where he uses a Ryobi Bolt Cutter to cut through the lock.
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[^1]: Video [(765) How Tough are Master Lock's Boron Carbide Shackles?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICudP7-FxVw)
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discusses the use of a pair of hydrolic bolt cutters he uses to cut the
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shackles of the [Master Lock Model M1](/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/master-lock-model-m1/),
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Master Lock Model M5, and the Master Lock Model M15. They are different
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models. Yes. But, Boron-carbide is used in the shackle. Which is used in
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the Master Lock Model M530. Which has a smaller diameter then the M1.
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[^2]: Video [(1408) Better Than Expected: Ryobi Bolt Cutter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMz89XjRXj0)
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discusses using a Ryobi bolt cutter to cut the shackles of an assortment of
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locks. One of which is this Master Lock Model M530. Which to the locks
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credit. Gave the Ryobi a bit of a fight. But, it did not win.
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- **Lock Body:** Solid Steel
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- **Lock Shackle:** Boron-carbide[^3]
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[^3]: Boron Carbide is an extremely hard, synthetic ceramic material, known as
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the third hardest substance known to humans. Nicknamed "black diamond" for
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its low density, wear resistance, and high temperature threshold.
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### Dimensions:
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---
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Here are the dimensions for the lock I purchased. This may vary depending on the
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lock. Normally I see varying dimensions depending on the lock. There were
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multiple sizes of the [Master Lock No. 1](/feed/notes/physicalsecurity/locks/master-lock/master-lock-no-1/).
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But, I haven't seen it with this padlock.
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- **Lock Full Length:** 4 in. (100 mm.)
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- **Lock Body (Width):** 1-3/4 (1.86) in. (44 mm.)
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- **Shackle Length (Clearance):** 2 in. (51 mm.)
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- **Shackle Width:** 13/16 (0.75) in. (21 mm.)
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- **Shackle Diameter (Octagonal[^4]):** 9/32 (0.3) in (7 mm)
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[^4]: Octagonal refers to the shackles eight-sided diameter shape around the
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shackle. This is designed to provide more cut resistance for those who would
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like to break the lock.
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### Cylinder:
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---
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The cylinder is pretty simple. There was just a lot of counter rotation due to
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all of the spool pins in the lock. All meaning in all four pins had spool pins.
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- **Pin Quantity:** Four-pin
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- **Type:** Pin and tumbler
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There is another model that Home Depot sells where they claim to have 5-pin
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padlocks. So I will need to search for that.
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The DF model I know for sure contains Spool pins as security pins. This may
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not be the case for other/older models of this padlock.
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(This can be seen on the bottom of the lock where the model number is visable.)
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## Where To Find These Locks
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---
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These locks can for sure be found in hardware stores like Ace hardware, Home
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Depot, Lowes, Menards, etc. in the midwest. Amazon is also selling these locks
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if anyone is looking for an online option.
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## What are these locks used for?
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---
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Can see these locks used for locking up trailor hitches (if it fits), sheds,
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doors on enclosed trailors, tool boxes, etc. in comercial and residential
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settings.
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## Gutting The Master Lock Model M530
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---
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This is one of the first padlocks I owned that could be easily
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diassembled/gutted. There is a single screw found in the shackel well on the
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left side of the lock. Where a philips head screw driver can remove the screw.
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Once this screw is removed. The plate holding the core of the lock can be
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removed exposing the core of the lock.
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## Picking Attacks
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---
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Here is where I'll discuss methods that worked for me as far as picking the
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`Master Lock Model M530` padlock is concerned. I'll provide the tools used and
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one of my videos for picking the lock.
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### Single-Pin Picking
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---
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> Note: Pick the tool that works best for you. I am merely providing the tools
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> that worked best for me while picking this lock.
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For picking the `Master Lock Model M530` I used the `Covert Instruments Short
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Hook` in 25 (0.025) thousands of an inch with a `Covert Instruments Precision
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2 in 1 Turning Tool` in 30 (0.030) thousands of an inch. Using bottom of the
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keyway tension with heavy tension and gradually reducing tension whenever I
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felt counter rotation or a false set from the spool pins.
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Initially I used the `Covert Instruments Short Hook` in 20 (0.020) thousands
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of an inch. But, found I didn't get as much feedback as I did from the
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`Covert Instruments Short Hook` in 25 (0.025) thousands of an inch. It might
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have been the day. But, the keyway is wide enough where I can get away with it.
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So, it doesn't really matter.
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If this was a [Mossberg & Sons Cable Lock](#)
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I would need the 20 (0.020) tousands of an inch thickness though. At the end of
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the day. It's about what tool works best for the job.
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> A video will be recorded and posted here when it is finished.
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I will say that this lock may be a useful reference for anyone who struggles
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with spool pins. Given that all pins - at least in the `M530` that I bought -
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are spool pins. This lock provides a good reference for anyone that wants to
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get a feel for counter rotation or detecting false sets within the lock.
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## Lock Pickers United Rating (Unknown)
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---
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The Master Lock Model M930 does not have a rating or belk rank associated with
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it with the Lock Pickers United belt system. I'm providing this for the benefit
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of having it in this lock library.
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Though there is a possibility that no one will recieve a rank from submission.
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Post it on [r/lockpicking](https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/) anyway and
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interact with the community. Pick the lock and gut the lock and post it to get
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the conversation going. You may learn a few things you didn't know along the
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way.
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## Conclusions & Opinions
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---
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There is good and bad when it comes to the `Master Lock Model M530`. The
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materials used in this lock aren't bad. They can stand up to the average cutting
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attack on the shackle. Given that I don't know of to many theives carrying
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around manual hydrolic cutters. But, you never know. These are interesting
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times.
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When it comes to picking though. This is a pretty easy lock for me despite the
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spool pins. I've found better luck single-pin picking the Master Lock Model
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M530. But, I will continue looking into other vulnerabilities. But, single-pin
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picking works best for me.
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My favorite part of this lock was the ability to gut/disassemble it after it's
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unlocked. Which I've provided in the [Gutting The Master Lock Model M530]()
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section. I think my enjoyment comes from this being the first lock that I've
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gutted. But, we all have to start somewhere.
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Would I use the `Master Lock Model M530` for anything? Yes. To keep kids out of
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certain things or for semi-long term storage. Yes. I would use this to keep
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honest people, kids, and some theives out. But, apart from that. I probably
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wouldn't use this lock. Just because I know I can pick this and I am by no means
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an expert at picking locks. I normally pick them within a controlled environment
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either in a vise or in the palm of my hand. The short answer is yes and no. It
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depends on what I'm attempting to protect and who I'm protecting the access
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from.

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