Disc-Detainer / Abloy
Disc-detainer locks are a different mechanical philosophy — no springs, no pins, just a stack of rotating discs and a sidebar. Genuine Abloy Protec is one of the toughest locks a hobbyist can face.
1. Anatomy
A stack of rotating discs and a sidebar — no springs, no pins. Each disc has one deep TRUE gate, and its angular position differs from disc to disc — that staggering is the combination. High-security discs (genuine Abloy) also carry shallow FALSE gates to fool picking; basic locks omit them. Labels shown.
How it works
Rotating discs plus a sidebar. The key's angled cuts rotate each disc to a set angle; when every disc's true gate lines up along the sidebar channel, the sidebar drops in and the plug can rotate. High-security models add false gates on each disc that catch the sidebar and mimic a set.
Tools you need
A dedicated disc-detainer pick — a tension ring / collar plus a probe used to rotate individual discs. High-quality tooling matters, especially for genuine Abloy.
Step-by-step technique
- Apply tension with the tool's collar.
- Find the binding disc and rotate it through its angles until the sidebar begins to seat on its gate.
- Move through the disc stack, rotating each to its gate — without losing already-set discs.
- When all true gates align, the sidebar drops and the plug turns.
Common mistakes
- Using pin-tumbler tools — the geometry is wrong entirely.
- Losing set discs while working the stack.
Skill level & notes
Genuine Abloy Protec discs use false gates and tight tolerances and are very hard. Cheap disc-detainer copies are far easier — learn on a clear practice lock first.