Uploaded August 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
A great padlock for US$30 - how the hell can they make money on this?
Michael Maynard
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[150] American A700 padlock - how do they make it for that money?
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![[150] American A700 padlock - how do they make it for that money?](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NFKwRuULrSI/mqdefault.jpg "[150] American A700 padlock - how do they make it for that money?
A great padlock for US$30 - how the hell can they make money on this?")
![[63] Tutorial - Chubb Fire safe - clever economy of design](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NI9qB1jho8U/mqdefault.jpg "[63] Tutorial - Chubb Fire safe - clever economy of design
[63] Tutorial - Chubb Fire safe - clever economy of design")
![[88] Review - Sparrows Reload kit - great for learning to pick security pins](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OjN7SSMC_H0/mqdefault.jpg "[88] Review - Sparrows Reload kit - great for learning to pick security pins
This is a truly excellent addition to the Sparrows Progressive Lock kit, and its well worth the money. Buy pinning tweezers and shims while youre at it, theyre cheap and they make all the difference.
With thanks to www.pickpals.com.au")
![[143] Tutorial - How to pick the Millenco Magnum (and other sidebar locks) Part 2 of 2](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OkjUcPYy7io/mqdefault.jpg "[143] Tutorial - How to pick the Millenco Magnum (and other sidebar locks) Part 2 of 2
Part two of our look at the Millenco Magnum. Not a great lock to have on your door but an absolutely excellent training lock for beginners to learn picking sidebars and dimples.
Andre (draukan)s excellent tutorial on dimple pick preparation is here:
https://youtu.be/AWEOn43N0DM")
![[178] Review - Assa Abloy Lockwood 356S63 Padlock: A great medium security padlock.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QE_MB0z3WMY/mqdefault.jpg "[178] Review - Assa Abloy Lockwood 356S63 Padlock: A great medium security padlock.
We review the Assa Abloy Lockwood 356S63. Short version: Its a damned good padlock and easily adequate for most outdoor commercial applications in New Zealand and Australia. Buy it from a locksmith, not a hardware place - your locksmith can modify this lock further to increase the security or otherwise better fit your requirements.")
![[189] Review and Picking Tutorial: Assa Abloy Ruko Merkur 401](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RhLW2hF7BZ4/mqdefault.jpg "[189] Review and Picking Tutorial: Assa Abloy Ruko Merkur 401
This is a long one guys, but its worth it. I show you why the Merkur is so good, and how to pick it.")
![[193] Assa 700 pick and disassembly](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RwU0iGb3i34/mqdefault.jpg "[193] Assa 700 pick and disassembly
The Assa 700 series is a conventional seven pin lock designed in 1948. It punches waaaaaay above its weight and rates a Reddit Black Belt - and I can see why. Three different security pin types (tapered, gins, and Christmas tree spools) plus incredible manufacturing tolerances make this deceptively simple lock a massive challenge to open.
I LOVE this lock, its everything that good design should be.")
![[114] Review - Souber Mul-T-Lock dimple pick kit - do not buy](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SPpJ1dzOkkY/mqdefault.jpg "[114] Review - Souber Mul-T-Lock dimple pick kit - do not buy
This a monster half hour video, and I really hesitated to publish it because these tools are well made, and honestly you might get lucky with this set and fluke an open on a lock with easy bitting...so the set is not entirely hopeless.
But youll never get good consistent results with these picks, and there are so many other - better - options out there that I decided to tell it like I see it, warts and all.
Theres also something else I need to mention: Im well aware that there are a few glowing reviews of these tools on YouTube.
Without naming names, its clear that most of these reviews either soft-pedal these picks by glossing over their flaws...or they are being reviewed by guys who have just got the picks fresh out of the packet and are enthusiastic...but dont have a clear understanding of MTL pin in pin locks, their tolerances, and the techniques needed to beat them.
Im not funded by advertising dollars, and Ive opened a LOT of MTLs. Hope you like the video, and I look forward to your comments.
Michael Maynard.")
![[4] Five buck Chateau C870 70mm disc padlock - surprisingly good for your money](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sh4fgYBHhro/mqdefault.jpg "[4] Five buck Chateau C870 70mm disc padlock - surprisingly good for your money
[4] Five buck Chateau C870 70mm disc padlock - surprisingly good for your money")
![[190] Picked - Assa Twin Exclusive Southern Steel Mogul custodial (ie jail or prison) lock](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ssk8iBTJukI/mqdefault.jpg "[190] Picked - Assa Twin Exclusive Southern Steel Mogul custodial (ie jail or prison) lock
Southern Steel jail locks are now owned by Southern Folger, as a result of a buyout between Folger Adam and SS. In this lock, they use the Twin made by Assa Abloy. I believe (but am not sure) that this is a thing called the Assa Twin Exclusive. As you folks know by now, Im a huge fan of Assa and I just love the way they approach the design and manufacture of their products. Theyve thought about - and mitigated against - just about every attack you can think of in this beautiful state of the art lock...apart from picking by a Gorilla.
As a bonus, I think this might be another first - I cant see any other videos showing the Twin Exclusive version of a Mogul being picked. So Im claiming it unless someone can point me to an earlier one.
Lastly, I have to apologise for the quality of this video folks. For various reasons Ive literally only picked two locks in the last eight months - this one and the Ruko Merkur. This aint a great video but better stuff is on the way.")
![{172] Review - Multipick Elite Dual Gauge Kit](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SvuqCNw3pX0/mqdefault.jpg "{172] Review - Multipick Elite Dual Gauge Kit
This Multipick kit is the Mercedes Benz of lockpicking kits - it can take you from beginner to picking high security locks and the quality is streets ahead of any other manufacturer. I love it, and its easily worth the price tag.
https://www.pickpals.com.au/buy-lockpicks/sets/multipick-elite-29-piece-dual-gauge-lock-pick-kit/?currency=AUD
https://shop.multipick.com/en/multipick-elite-pick-sets/multipick-elite-dual-gauge-lock-pick-kit-29-pieces")
![[162] Fixing a faulty La Gard 3330 in a Fichet Venus safe](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tid68m15IUs/mqdefault.jpg "[162] Fixing a faulty La Gard 3330 in a Fichet Venus safe
This lovely little safe didnt open on the combination numbers that were supplied with it. We strip it to find out why not, and fix the fault.
***Second posting - sorry about the bad audio the first time around lads, my error.")
![[150] American A700 padlock - how do they make it for that money? @MichaelMaynard](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NFKwRuULrSI/maxresdefault.jpg)
