Keyed and Combination Padlocks

Key, dial or push button: who needs to open it?

A keyed padlock suits a gate or shed that one or two people use, and keyed alike packs let several padlocks share a key. Combination locks suit shared lockers and luggage, since there is no key to lose; resettable dials let you choose the code. Push-button boxes hold a key or small items behind a code. TSA-accepted travel locks can be opened by baggage inspectors with a master key, so the lock is not cut off your bag.

Security comes from the build more than the mechanism. Look at the shackle: a thicker, hardened-steel shackle resists bolt cutters, and a short or shrouded shackle leaves less room for a cutter or pry bar. Laminated steel bodies are common on general-purpose locks, solid brass on weather-exposed ones, and a cable lock is flexible but easy to cut, so it deters rather than secures. Check the shackle clearance, the diameter in millimeters or inches, and whether the lock is rated for outdoor use.

Cylinders, lock boxes and other neighbors of the padlock

Several entries are parts or neighbors of padlocks: mortise and rim cylinders sold for doors, replacement padlock cylinders, push-button lock boxes, and even a storage drive that appears in this list. Cylinders are sized to a lock body and keyway, so a mortise cylinder will not fit a padlock. If you need a spare, match the keyway and the maker's key code rather than just the look.

Questions about Keyed and Combination Padlocks

What does TSA-accepted mean on a padlock?

It means US airport inspectors can open the lock with a master key without cutting it. Look for the red diamond or TSA mark on the lock. Without that mark, a lock on checked luggage may be cut off.

How do I reset a combination padlock?

Procedure varies by model: usually set the dials to the current code, move a reset lever or turn the shackle, then spin the dials to the new code and put the lever back. Test the new code several times with the lock open before closing it.

How thick should a shackle be?

For gates, sheds and outdoor use, a hardened shackle of about 8 to 10 mm or more resists cutting better than a thin one, though the whole lock and the hasp it holds matter just as much. Light-duty 4 to 6 mm shackles suit lockers and bags.