Keyed Padlocks for Gates, Sheds, and Storage: A Buyer's Guide
A padlock is only as good as the weakest thing it touches, so start with where it lives. A lock left out in weather needs a body and shackle that shrug off rust, while a gym locker just needs something you will not lose the key to. The specs that matter are body width, which tells you how much metal is protecting the mechanism, and shackle diameter and clearance, which decide what the lock will actually fit through.
The other real decision is how it is keyed. Keyed different means every lock carries its own key, which is fine until you are standing at a gate with a fistful of them. Keyed alike lets one key run a whole group, which is convenient right up until that key goes missing. Combination locks trade the key problem for a memory problem. None of these is wrong; they just fail in different ways, and it is worth picking the failure you can live with.
Master Lock Laminated Steel Padlock, Non-Rekeyable, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-3/4" (44mm), Shackle Length: 15/16" (24mm), Shackle Width: 3/4" (19mm), Shackle Diameter: 5/16" (8mm)
From Master Lock, this is a keyed padlock. It comes keyed different, so it carries its own key.
Listed measurements include body width 1-3/4" (44mm); shackle length 15/16" (24mm); shackle width 3/4" (19mm). A laminated body is layers pinned together, which is tough and weather-tolerant but heavier than a solid billet lock.
Master Lock Laminated Steel Padlock, Non-Rekeyable, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-9/16" (40mm), Shackle Length: 3/4" (19mm), Shackle Width: 5/8" (16mm), Shackle Diameter: 9/32" (7mm), Gray
The Master Lock entry here is a keyed padlock. This one is keyed different, so it carries its own key.
The feed lists body width 1-9/16" (40mm); shackle length 3/4" (19mm); shackle width 5/8" (16mm). Keyed different means this carries its own key, which is secure but adds another key to the ring if you buy several.
Master Lock Zenex Safety Padlock Thermoplastic, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 25/32" (20mm), Shackle Diameter: 1/4" (6mm), Red
This is Master Lock's take on a keyed padlock, in a red finish built from thermoplastic. This one is keyed different, so it carries its own key.
On paper it gives body width 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle length 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle width 25/32" (20mm). Keyed different means this carries its own key, which is secure but adds another key to the ring if you buy several.
Master Lock Zenex Safety Padlock Thermoplastic, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 25/32" (20mm), Shackle Diameter: 1/4" (6mm), Blue
Master Lock offers this as a keyed padlock with a thermoplastic body, in a blue finish. It comes keyed different, so it carries its own key.
Listed measurements include body width 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle length 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle width 25/32" (20mm). Keyed different means this carries its own key, which is secure but adds another key to the ring if you buy several.
Master Lock Zenex Safety Padlock Thermoplastic, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 25/32" (20mm), Shackle Diameter: 1/4" (6mm), Yellow
This is Master Lock's take on a keyed padlock. This one is keyed different, so it carries its own key.
The feed lists body width 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle length 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle width 25/32" (20mm). Keyed different means this carries its own key, which is secure but adds another key to the ring if you buy several.
Master Lock Laminated Steel Padlock, Non-Rekeyable, Keyed Alike, Body Width: 1-9/16" (40mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 5/8" (16mm), Shackle Diameter: 9/32" (7mm), Blue
From Master Lock, this is a keyed padlock wearing a blue finish with a laminated steel body. It comes keyed alike, so one key runs the set.
The feed lists body width 1-9/16" (40mm); shackle length 1-1/2" (38mm); shackle width 5/8" (16mm). Keyed alike lets one key run a group, which is convenient as long as you can keep track of that single key.
Choosing well
If you take one thing from this, match the lock to the job and the shackle to the hasp or hardware it has to pass through. Measure before you buy, because a padlock that will not close around your chain is just a paperweight. Any of the picks above will do honest work once it is sized right.
At a glance: how these compare
| Product | Brand | Finish | Type | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Lock Laminated Steel Padlock, Non-Rekeyable, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-3/4" (44mm), Shackle Length: 15/16" (24mm), Shackle Width: 3/4" (19mm), Shackle Diameter: 5/16" (8mm) | Master Lock | See listing | keyed different | Body Width 1-3/4" (44mm) |
| Master Lock Laminated Steel Padlock, Non-Rekeyable, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-9/16" (40mm), Shackle Length: 3/4" (19mm), Shackle Width: 5/8" (16mm), Shackle Diameter: 9/32" (7mm), Gray | Master Lock | See listing | keyed different | Body Width 1-9/16" (40mm) |
| Master Lock Zenex Safety Padlock Thermoplastic, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 25/32" (20mm), Shackle Diameter: 1/4" (6mm), Red | Master Lock | Red | keyed different | Body Width 1-1/2" (38mm) |
| Master Lock Zenex Safety Padlock Thermoplastic, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 25/32" (20mm), Shackle Diameter: 1/4" (6mm), Blue | Master Lock | Blue | keyed different | Body Width 1-1/2" (38mm) |
| Master Lock Zenex Safety Padlock Thermoplastic, Keyed Different, Body Width: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 25/32" (20mm), Shackle Diameter: 1/4" (6mm), Yellow | Master Lock | See listing | keyed different | Body Width 1-1/2" (38mm) |
| Master Lock Laminated Steel Padlock, Non-Rekeyable, Keyed Alike, Body Width: 1-9/16" (40mm), Shackle Length: 1-1/2" (38mm), Shackle Width: 5/8" (16mm), Shackle Diameter: 9/32" (7mm), Blue | Master Lock | Blue | keyed alike | Body Width 1-9/16" (40mm) |
Finishes and details above come from the current product listings. No pricing is shown here because feed prices go stale fast; check the retailer for the latest.
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