Wood_Junkie
Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
- Messages
- 1,311
I received these just the other day from Japan Woodworker. And while I've seen some earlier discussion about them, I think (hope) this is the first review.
First a few particulars:
- The latches currently (as of 5/18/2010) only come in one color: Anthracite (dark gray)
- There are 20 key combinations, and apparently it is possible to order multiples of the same keying (yay!)
- Unlike my inital impression from the pre-Jan 2010 threads, they do not use the square tabs or any through-holes to accomplish the locking action. Rather, they utilize the same recess that the pivot points depend upon.
- Based on the method of locking, it is clear that using only two would securely lock one Systainer to another above it. This is accomplished by putting them in opposite corners (i.e. front right, back left). If you put them on adjacent latch locations, you can slide the top Systainer out and away from the latches.
- One will keep the lid closed well enough for securing the contents, unless someone is using forceps to remove the contents.
- As per Franck's / Tanos's early description, as a safety device, I would give this two very robust thumbs up. Only a determined person is going to get inside your Systainer without the key. In order to do so, they would make a lot of noise and would certainly break the locking latch mechanism, thus making it clear it had been tampered it.
- Although they are very secure based on my hand test, I'm fairly sure if I took a #3 straight slot screwdriver or other prying device I could defeat them (they are plastic, after all). However, for anyone that has disassembled a Systainer handle or lid, it'd probably make the same amount of "snap" noise. And perhaps the lid structure would fail first... I don't know. I was not willing to sacrifice a Systainer tonight for science. [wink]
Okay, on to the meat of the review.
Here they are. They came packaged in a small Ziploc-style bag (not shown) with the card, the latches, and the two keys. Pretty simple and isn't not like they needed an immense amount of packaging. They were shipped in a simple padded envelope for standard USPS rates.
[attachthumb=#]
Here are views of the latch with the key inserted and in the Unlocked and Locked positions.
The key is double-sided, so it doesn't matter which way you insert it. (Like most car keys).
[attachthumb=#] [attachthumb=#]
Installation of the latches is as simple as swapping out the stock latches.
The procedure is to open them fully, rotate about 15 degrees either way, and they come right out.
[attachthumb=#]
Installation of the locking latches is the reverse. Set them into the Systainer channel horizontally, but at a slight angle, rotate them to horizontal in both planes, the flip it up.
[attachthumb=#]
Here are both latches installed. One fully closed, one slightly open.
[attachthumb=#]
Here is a close-up of the locking mechanism on the reverse side. On the left you see the lock in the Open position, with the cam levers closed. On the right you see the lock in the Locked position, with the cam levers pressing outward and forcing the tabs to protrude from the latch. Fancy engineering! (FYI, the left one reminds me of a Yin-Yang symbol. The right one looks like two people in a Picasso painting, sitting down...) [smile]
[attachthumb=#]
And here is the locking mechanism from the obverse (front). First photo is open (key vertical) and the tabs retract fully. Second photo shows the locks position (key horizontal) and the tabs fully deployed.
[attachthumb=#] [attachthumb=#]
Finally, here is my attempt to photographical show "secure".
This photo shows the latch fully locked. I am exerting no pressure on the latch.
[attachthumb=#]
And here, I am attempting to open the latch. You may notice the slight inward bend of the Systainer front. The pressure I am applying is directly inward with my thumb and outward with my index finger. I am not a total wimp, but I am also not trying to break it (see last bullet at the top).
[attachthumb=#]
Overall, for my purposes in securing my Systainers and their contents, I am very satisfied with these latches and plan to get a few more, with the same keying.
[thumbs up]
As an aside, if Tanos reps are reading, a great offshoot of these would be replacement latches for the Sortainers. I have not personally had a Sortainer stack come apart, but a number of people have posted regarding that problem. This would 1000% solve that issue, as the latches are fully captured and unable to be opened, much less open inadvertently.
First a few particulars:
- The latches currently (as of 5/18/2010) only come in one color: Anthracite (dark gray)
- There are 20 key combinations, and apparently it is possible to order multiples of the same keying (yay!)
- Unlike my inital impression from the pre-Jan 2010 threads, they do not use the square tabs or any through-holes to accomplish the locking action. Rather, they utilize the same recess that the pivot points depend upon.
- Based on the method of locking, it is clear that using only two would securely lock one Systainer to another above it. This is accomplished by putting them in opposite corners (i.e. front right, back left). If you put them on adjacent latch locations, you can slide the top Systainer out and away from the latches.
- One will keep the lid closed well enough for securing the contents, unless someone is using forceps to remove the contents.
- As per Franck's / Tanos's early description, as a safety device, I would give this two very robust thumbs up. Only a determined person is going to get inside your Systainer without the key. In order to do so, they would make a lot of noise and would certainly break the locking latch mechanism, thus making it clear it had been tampered it.
- Although they are very secure based on my hand test, I'm fairly sure if I took a #3 straight slot screwdriver or other prying device I could defeat them (they are plastic, after all). However, for anyone that has disassembled a Systainer handle or lid, it'd probably make the same amount of "snap" noise. And perhaps the lid structure would fail first... I don't know. I was not willing to sacrifice a Systainer tonight for science. [wink]
Okay, on to the meat of the review.
Here they are. They came packaged in a small Ziploc-style bag (not shown) with the card, the latches, and the two keys. Pretty simple and isn't not like they needed an immense amount of packaging. They were shipped in a simple padded envelope for standard USPS rates.
[attachthumb=#]
Here are views of the latch with the key inserted and in the Unlocked and Locked positions.
The key is double-sided, so it doesn't matter which way you insert it. (Like most car keys).
[attachthumb=#] [attachthumb=#]
Installation of the latches is as simple as swapping out the stock latches.
The procedure is to open them fully, rotate about 15 degrees either way, and they come right out.
[attachthumb=#]
Installation of the locking latches is the reverse. Set them into the Systainer channel horizontally, but at a slight angle, rotate them to horizontal in both planes, the flip it up.
[attachthumb=#]
Here are both latches installed. One fully closed, one slightly open.
[attachthumb=#]
Here is a close-up of the locking mechanism on the reverse side. On the left you see the lock in the Open position, with the cam levers closed. On the right you see the lock in the Locked position, with the cam levers pressing outward and forcing the tabs to protrude from the latch. Fancy engineering! (FYI, the left one reminds me of a Yin-Yang symbol. The right one looks like two people in a Picasso painting, sitting down...) [smile]
[attachthumb=#]
And here is the locking mechanism from the obverse (front). First photo is open (key vertical) and the tabs retract fully. Second photo shows the locks position (key horizontal) and the tabs fully deployed.
[attachthumb=#] [attachthumb=#]
Finally, here is my attempt to photographical show "secure".
This photo shows the latch fully locked. I am exerting no pressure on the latch.
[attachthumb=#]
And here, I am attempting to open the latch. You may notice the slight inward bend of the Systainer front. The pressure I am applying is directly inward with my thumb and outward with my index finger. I am not a total wimp, but I am also not trying to break it (see last bullet at the top).
[attachthumb=#]
Overall, for my purposes in securing my Systainers and their contents, I am very satisfied with these latches and plan to get a few more, with the same keying.
[thumbs up]
As an aside, if Tanos reps are reading, a great offshoot of these would be replacement latches for the Sortainers. I have not personally had a Sortainer stack come apart, but a number of people have posted regarding that problem. This would 1000% solve that issue, as the latches are fully captured and unable to be opened, much less open inadvertently.
