Re: [Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

2016-04-04 Thread Diana Tomchick via Texascavers 
I would also second this idea, with the caveat that replacement of the lock on 
a regular basis may be necessary.

This leads me to relate a cave-padlock story. Back in 2003 I had the 
opportunity to travel to Slovakia and with the help of a Slovak scientist at my 
workplace, I connected with several Slovak caving groups around the country for 
tourist trips. The first trip was lead by two young men from the Bratislava 
caving club, to “our best decorated cave” in the area, that was located about 
an hour outside of the city. We stopped at a local farmhouse to retrieve the 
key to the cave gate from the woman of the household, and went on our way to 
the cave. After about 10 minutes of fumbling with the key, the first young man 
that tried to open it handed the key to the other caver, and another 10 minutes 
or so of agitated yet unsuccessful attempts to open the lock, complete with 
desperate grumbling in Slovak (which I do not understand). At one point, the 
first young man turned to me and said in a deadpan manner, in accented but very 
formal English, “There are a lot of very bad words being spoken right now.” 
After I laughed, he asked if I could try the lock, and after another 10 minutes 
or so, the first young man decided we could visit another cave instead. Upon 
returning the cave gate key, he mentioned to the woman that we couldn’t get the 
gate open. She then told him that about one month prior to our trip, an 
official from the government that was responsible for checking the condition of 
the gate couldn’t get in either, and had declared that indeed, the gate was 
performing its function of protecting the cave.

:)

Diana

**
Diana R. Tomchick
Professor
Departments of Biophysics and Biochemistry
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Rm. ND10.214A
Dallas, TX 75390-8816
diana.tomch...@utsouthwestern.edu
(214) 645-6383 (phone)
(214) 645-6353 (fax)

> On Apr 4, 2016, at 10:29 AM, texascavers@texascavers.com wrote:
>
> Have you considered marine-grade padlocks?
>
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UT Southwestern


Medical Center



The future of medicine, today.

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[Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

2016-04-04 Thread Geary Schindel via Texascavers 
Alan Montemaryor is my go to man for all things mechanical and locks 
specifically.

Here is what he recommended.

Geary

From: Alan Montemayor [mailto:alan.montema...@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2016 10:30 AM
To: Geary Schindel <gschin...@edwardsaquifer.org>
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

Although no lock will hold up forever, try this stuff:

Lock Corrosion<http://www.nocorrosion.com/pages/lock-corrosion>













Lock Corrosion<http://www.nocorrosion.com/pages/lock-corrosion>
Many locks, especially padlocks, often find themselves in tough outdoor 
conditions. Weather, moisture, and time will eventually lead to lock 
corrosion.Lock Corr


View on www.nocorrosion.com<http://www.nocorrosion.com/pages/lock-corrosion>

Preview by Yahoo






Also, solid brass locks claim resistance to marine environments such as:

American Lock® - Solid Body Padlocks - Solid Brass 
Padlocks<http://www.americanlock.com/solid_body_padlocks/solid_brass/>




[image]<http://www.americanlock.com/solid_body_padlocks/solid_brass/>











American Lock® - Solid Body Padlocks - Solid Brass 
Padlo...<http://www.americanlock.com/solid_body_padlocks/solid_brass/>
Solid Brass Padlocks


View on 
www.americanlock.com<http://www.americanlock.com/solid_body_padlocks/solid_brass/>

Preview by Yahoo






Also, best practice is to buy two locks and swap out periodically.  The topside 
lock can be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner, re-lubricated and exercised till 
it's time to swap out again.  Hope this helps.

Alan

From: Texascavers [mailto:texascavers-boun...@texascavers.com] On Behalf Of 
Travis Scott via Texascavers
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2016 8:59 AM
To: Texascavers@texascavers.com<mailto:Texascavers@texascavers.com>
Subject: [Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

Folks,

I have recently been struggling with the padlocks on cave gates that have 
become corroded and basically unusable.  Even brand new padlocks that were 
placed on the gate and left for a few years are becoming unusable.  These gates 
are designed with an arm hole which allows you to reach the padlock hanging on 
the inside of a solid gate. Once the padlock is removed, a lever is moved and 
the gate opens. The problem is that the padlocks sit in the wet warm 
environment (sometimes years at a time) collecting dust, dirt and corrosion as 
air moves past due to the cave breathing. Several locks have recently taken 
over an hour to open whilst in the most uncomfortable positions, meanwhile with 
the fear that the key might break off in the lock or the lock will never open, 
etc..

I am wondering if anyone has had the experience or research to whittle down the 
best types of locks that can handle this environment and still continue to 
function properly. I have researched corrosion aspects of different tumblers 
(no real conclusion on which is best). Other cavers have told me that the locks 
with the rubber housing around the entire lock, including the key hole, are no 
better than a normal Masterlock for example. We have tried both the most 
expensive locks and the cheaper ones, but none seem to hold up.

Does anyone have any experience with this or have any light they can shed?

Thank you so very much!!!


Travis Scott
tra...@oztotl.com<mailto:tra...@oztotl.com>
979.450.0103 (cell)


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Re: [Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

2016-04-04 Thread George D. Nincehelser via Texascavers 
Have you considered marine-grade padlocks?

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Re: [Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

2016-04-04 Thread Charles Loving via Texascavers 
Bats made national news. That nose disease is being transported by cagers
who get the spores on their clothes. Hmm. Check it out.

On Mon, Apr 4, 2016 at 8:58 AM, Travis Scott via Texascavers <
texascavers@texascavers.com> wrote:

> Folks,
>
> I have recently been struggling with the padlocks on cave gates that have
> become corroded and basically unusable.  Even brand new padlocks that were
> placed on the gate and left for a few years are becoming unusable.  These
> gates are designed with an arm hole which allows you to reach the padlock
> hanging on the inside of a solid gate. Once the padlock is removed, a lever
> is moved and the gate opens. The problem is that the padlocks sit in the
> wet warm environment (sometimes years at a time) collecting dust, dirt and
> corrosion as air moves past due to the cave breathing. Several locks have
> recently taken over an hour to open whilst in the most uncomfortable
> positions, meanwhile with the fear that the key might break off in the lock
> or the lock will never open, etc..
>
> I am wondering if anyone has had the experience or research to whittle
> down the best types of locks that can handle this environment and still
> continue to function properly. I have researched corrosion aspects of
> different tumblers (no real conclusion on which is best). Other cavers have
> told me that the locks with the rubber housing around the entire lock,
> including the key hole, are no better than a normal Masterlock for example.
> We have tried both the most expensive locks and the cheaper ones, but none
> seem to hold up.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with this or have any light they can shed?
>
>
>
> Thank you so very much!!!
>
>
>
>
>
> *Travis Scott*
> tra...@oztotl.com
> 979.450.0103 (cell)
>
>
>
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>
>


-- 
Charlie Loving
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[Texascavers] Best padlocks for cave gates - advice needed

2016-04-04 Thread Travis Scott via Texascavers 
Folks,

I have recently been struggling with the padlocks on cave gates that have
become corroded and basically unusable.  Even brand new padlocks that were
placed on the gate and left for a few years are becoming unusable.  These
gates are designed with an arm hole which allows you to reach the padlock
hanging on the inside of a solid gate. Once the padlock is removed, a lever
is moved and the gate opens. The problem is that the padlocks sit in the wet
warm environment (sometimes years at a time) collecting dust, dirt and
corrosion as air moves past due to the cave breathing. Several locks have
recently taken over an hour to open whilst in the most uncomfortable
positions, meanwhile with the fear that the key might break off in the lock
or the lock will never open, etc..

I am wondering if anyone has had the experience or research to whittle down
the best types of locks that can handle this environment and still continue
to function properly. I have researched corrosion aspects of different
tumblers (no real conclusion on which is best). Other cavers have told me
that the locks with the rubber housing around the entire lock, including the
key hole, are no better than a normal Masterlock for example. We have tried
both the most expensive locks and the cheaper ones, but none seem to hold
up.

Does anyone have any experience with this or have any light they can shed? 

 

Thank you so very much!!!

 

 

Travis Scott
  tra...@oztotl.com
979.450.0103 (cell)

 

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