Leading Tubular Lock Manufacturers

Tubular locks are not to be confused with those similar to them, such as wafer tumbler locks, cylindrical wafer tumbler locks and pin tumbler locks. Tubular locks are used in the creation of elevator locks, locks for coin-operated washing machines, locks for vending machines, ATM locks, Kensington computer locks and bicycle locks, including the Kryptonite lock. Read More…

Tubular Locks Tubular locks are a specific type of mechanical lock known by many names, including Ace locks, radial locks, tubular pin tumbler locks and circle pin tumbler locks. In general, the lock's different names come from its round shape. The name "Ace lock" comes from the name of the company that first manufactured it.

As an ISO certified source for industrial hardware, Sierra Pacific Engineering & Products is a company you can trust in for excellent locks. Quality, service & value are the core to being a top OEM supplier and SPEP offers a wide range of additional products.

Sierra Pacific Engineering & Products (SPEP) $$$

At Capitol, we are committed to providing maximum value to our customers. Our “Lean Thinking” approach offers advantages in the areas of quality, service cost and shorter lead-times. Our facilities are totally integrated, from customer contact and quotation, through to design, tool manufacturing, secondary machining, finishing and assembly, all under one roof.

Capitol Industries Inc. $$$

We are your leading supplier and manufacturer of security locks. We are ISO 9000 certified and guarantee you will receive the highest quality security locks on the market. Our product listings include key switches, padlocks, weather-resistant locks, handles, handle locks, accessories, and more. Our security locks serve a variety of industries. Contact us today for your highest-quality security...

MEI LOCK & SECURITY $$$

VSI is North America`s largest producer of vehicle locks for the heavy truck market. Earning their position as a leader in lock & key solutions, VSI designs, produces & sells mechanical locks to major domestic truck suppliers & their international affiliates for production & aftermarket. VSI’s locks meet exact specifications and follow AIAG guidelines for quality & customer satisfaction.

VSI, LLC $$$
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placeholder image Sierra Pacific Engineering & Products (SPEP) Capitol Industries Inc. MEI LOCK & SECURITY VSI, LLC

Tubular locks have a ring-shaped hole in the middle of the keyway. In the middle of this circular hole is placed a solid metal cylinder. Inside the gap between the cylinder and the keyway hole are six to eight pins. In a sense, tubular locks encase the bolt within a tube. Tubular lock pins are held in place by plugs that rest in the cylinder, as do driver pins and springs. While tubular locks usually have between six and eight pins, they may also have as few as four or as many as ten.

To work, a round key that is open in the center is inserted into the lock. The key has rectangular notches cut around its edges that correspond to similarly shaped plugs. When properly inserted, each notch depresses an individual pin to a certain height. In doing so, the lock cylinder is able to turn freely. While basic pin tumbler systems use pins that move vertically when pushed, the pins of tubular pin tumbler locks move horizontally when pushed.

Tubular locks are often mistakenly considered to be more secure than other types of locks, because they are used so frequently with coin-operated machinery. In fact, however, they can be picked fairly easily using a special tubular lock picking tool, the back end of a ballpoint pen or a hole-saw drill bit.

To combat the possibility of theft, manufacturers may either machine the middle pin of a lock with hardened steel or with a ball bearing in its center. However, tubular locks are still not recommended for high security applications.

To determine whether or not tubular locks are right for your application, reach out to a well-versed lock manufacturer with the details of your operation.

Tubular Lock Informational Video

 

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