opinions on cam locks

gregatron

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OK,
I'm gettin' ready to make an order for about 15-20 locks at $3 each but before I do
I figured I'd ask for opinions here before I placed the order.
The locks in question appear to be your standard single bitted lock from AS heres a link/pic: http://www.arcadeshop.com/pics/lock.jpg
I know these will work fine but I'm wondering if double bitted or a different style/brand
are better (and why) or if there is a cheaper source. I realize that $3 seems to be about the norm for your average everyday budget cam lock. What do you guys recommend?
 
I use Fort locks. They are a little bit more but the quality is much better than the cheapie locks you are looking at.
I also prefer single bitted keys/locks.
 
I agree with Mylstar, those are a little on the cheap side. I want the stainless steel casing on the front of the lock, and have only found that with the Illinois Lock Co. I also like the single bitted locks for Atari and Double bitted locks for Midway games.
 
The locks in question appear to be your standard single bitted lock from AS heres a link/pic: http://www.arcadeshop.com/pics/lock.jpg

That looks almost exactly like the one on the cash box of my fighter that snapped off in the lock. Granted, that keyset had probably been on the cabinet since 1984, plenty of time to get stressed enough to break, I doubt there'd be that issue with new ones. Reminds me I need to buy that pick set that was linked here a while back (cash box is completely covered so I can't get at the lock to unscrew it from the inside). When I get a replacement set for that cabinet it's going to be double-bitted Fort locks, but the double bitted part is just a sentimental thing from the time I was working in an arcade. At that kind of quantity, the more expensive locks can definitely add up. So long as you don't abuse them like an OP, you'd probably be fine with those.
 
Hi Greg,

Funny ya should ask, I'm in the process of replacing all the locks on my games so they would be keyed alike. I bought something like 60+ of the pictured locks from arcadeshop. I'm about 80 percent complete now..

They are double edged, not single as they appear in the pic. So far they seem like pretty good locks. My only complaint is inserting the key isnt as smooth as some of the locks i've replaced. The key feels like it gets snagged a little sometimes.

But its very nice not to have to break out the custodian's key ring everytime ya have to access the coin door and fumble around like a goof. Its real nice needing only 1 key and having a boatload of spares when your done.

*doh* just read where people said there are better, heheh.

Tom
 
Don't know if you are putting your games on location or just keeping them in a private game room. If it is the latter I don't see a reason to spend extra on locks when no one will be trying to break into your machines. The lock will more or less be for looks and to hold the door shut in a game room so high quality wouldn't be a big issue to me personally.
 
Those that you have linked up are crap, and can be bought for right about half the price. Try this link, you won't be disappointed.

http://stores.shop.ebay.com/TWISTED...bZ4QQ_sidZ33020490QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

I agree with Dok. I just bought an additional 10 of the 1-1/8" ones & I will be replacing the menagerie of mismatched locks on my machines. It is great to have 1 key open a bunch of cabinets. If you specify on the order (in the comments) that you want all of the locks keyed alike, they can do that even if you mix and match 7/8" & 1-1/8". I had been buying Fort Locks from one supplier and they stopped selling keyed alike without a surcharge (which blew the lock budget). I switched to these and have been very pleased. The only bad thing I have to say is that the part that attaches the cams to the locks is a little small so the old cams from cabs that need a long cam won't work as well. In those cases, I've had to use two star washers to get the cam to lock down.

ken
 
I buy mine from Bob, all keyed alike. But for the price of those economy ones I wish I went that route.

The one thing I don't like about Bob's is you can't remove the key when the lock is in the unlocked position.
 
Don't know if you are putting your games on location or just keeping them in a private game room. If it is the latter I don't see a reason to spend extra on locks when no one will be trying to break into your machines. The lock will more or less be for looks and to hold the door shut in a game room so high quality wouldn't be a big issue to me personally.

I agree with this from a practical perspective. However, there is something to be said for quality parts just for the sake of quality parts. There is also something to be said for authenticity. None of the arcade machines I remember playing as a kid had chintzy locks. In fact, most of them had Ace brand or Ace-type tubular locks. That's what I would like to have for my machines, for nostalgic reasons and because the Ace brand ones are very high quality; but they are expensive (if anyone knows of a cheap source for them let me know). Does anyone know if the Ace-type locks sold by TwistedQuarter for $3.59 each are good quality?
 
The picture from AS appears to be from the Illinois Lock Company. I've used nothing but them for years and they have never let me down.
 
+1 for the Twisted quarter locks - I just replaced all my machines with their's so I have a single key for any one. Works great.
 
The picture from AS appears to be from the Illinois Lock Company. I've used nothing but them for years and they have never let me down.

WINNER Illinois locks are the smoothest, nicest, firmest locks I have ever used. The ones Bob sells fall open if you leave the key in them and are all around cheep feeling. I use those locks in games I am selling or trading. For my keepers, they will all get Illinois locks.
 
I use those locks in games I am selling or trading. For my keepers, they will all get Illinois locks.

Which brings me to my next observation. Why is it that 90% of the time I get a game there are NO locks or the locks in it have to be drilled out yet when I sell a game I really try hard to include not only a lock on the coin door(s), but also a lock on the back door AND often times a matching keychain (note: there have been exceptions)?!
 
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