I was looking at the combo locks, but decided against them based on comments from @durb. I ordered a set of these (click pic for link):
These have a symmetrical key. One of the problems I have with the CH751 locks is that the key is not symmetrical and the lock cylinders are so worn that it lets me insert the key the wrong way. This does a great job of jamming stuff up and making it difficult to insert the key the correct way.
I was able to order them keyed alike so I can keep with the convenience of one key. The design of the door is such they nothing will give you top security, but at least there aren't the same key that the rest of the world had.
The thumb latches are still in good shape but the problem is that they rotate in their holes, so replacing them won't fix the issue. As was noted, I need to make some backing plates or come up with some way to hold the latch body in place so that the 1/4 turn latch-unlatch is consistent.
I'll post back when I get these locks installed.
Doesn't seem to be a lot of choices on these locks....I looked into slam latches, but apparently you need to replace both the door and the frame to convert to slam latches....all the ones I found require a minimum door thickness of 1-1/4", much sturdier than the standard 3/4" baggage doors.
These have a symmetrical key. One of the problems I have with the CH751 locks is that the key is not symmetrical and the lock cylinders are so worn that it lets me insert the key the wrong way. This does a great job of jamming stuff up and making it difficult to insert the key the correct way.
I was able to order them keyed alike so I can keep with the convenience of one key. The design of the door is such they nothing will give you top security, but at least there aren't the same key that the rest of the world had.
The thumb latches are still in good shape but the problem is that they rotate in their holes, so replacing them won't fix the issue. As was noted, I need to make some backing plates or come up with some way to hold the latch body in place so that the 1/4 turn latch-unlatch is consistent.
I'll post back when I get these locks installed.
Doesn't seem to be a lot of choices on these locks....I looked into slam latches, but apparently you need to replace both the door and the frame to convert to slam latches....all the ones I found require a minimum door thickness of 1-1/4", much sturdier than the standard 3/4" baggage doors.
Cam locks like this?
Just go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and buy standard off the shelf replacement generic cabinet door cam locks.
Search through their stock and pick out the locks which have the same key number. Cheap and effective.
Unless you are hiding valuables like gold, silver or diamonds there is no need for a higher security round lock.
Keep in mind, most of these locks (including the round key) the interior body is nothing more than zinc "IE pot metal" and what isn't pot metal is mild steel so they can be easily defeated with a screw driver or pry bar placed around the hatch..
Since the inside body is pot metal, it tends to corrode easily making the pins or the lock barrel stick from weather exposure over time.
To combat that, a light spritz of spray oil once and a while will reduce the effects of water intrusion. Typically on outdoor locks one would use a dry lubricant like graphite, I found on pot metal locks dry lubricants do not work. My "go to" is a product called TriFlow which is a oil mixed with Teflon..
Spray it right into the key hole and insert key and rotate a few times to spread the oil.
Yes, with the initial spray your key will have some oil on it, you simply wipe off the excess oil off the key and after a few times the key will no longer get oily.
Just go to your local Home Depot or Lowes and buy standard off the shelf replacement generic cabinet door cam locks.
Search through their stock and pick out the locks which have the same key number. Cheap and effective.
Unless you are hiding valuables like gold, silver or diamonds there is no need for a higher security round lock.
Keep in mind, most of these locks (including the round key) the interior body is nothing more than zinc "IE pot metal" and what isn't pot metal is mild steel so they can be easily defeated with a screw driver or pry bar placed around the hatch..
Since the inside body is pot metal, it tends to corrode easily making the pins or the lock barrel stick from weather exposure over time.
To combat that, a light spritz of spray oil once and a while will reduce the effects of water intrusion. Typically on outdoor locks one would use a dry lubricant like graphite, I found on pot metal locks dry lubricants do not work. My "go to" is a product called TriFlow which is a oil mixed with Teflon..
Spray it right into the key hole and insert key and rotate a few times to spread the oil.
Yes, with the initial spray your key will have some oil on it, you simply wipe off the excess oil off the key and after a few times the key will no longer get oily.
