Playstation 3 lock

This a simple bolt together lock to act as a theft deterant for your PS3 (fat model). I decided to undertake this project after my house was broken into and all that was stolen was my PlayStation. This lock will prevent grab and run theft.

Step 1: Materials

I used:
-3/4" x 1/8" aluminum flatbar
-1" x 1/16" aluminum angle
-machine screws, washers, and nylock nuts
-1/2" weather stripping
-steel wool

The aluminum flatbar and angle can be found at hardware stores, I got mine at home depot.

Overall materials cost somewhere around $20.

Step 2:

The angle sections are 6" long

The flatbar sections are about 20.25" long, They are bent so that the center length is about 13.25" long and the legs are 3.5" long.

I bent them by hand, the aluminum is pretty soft. I used a scrap piece of 4X4 and a hammer to help get a consistent bend.

You can then drill holes to match your hardware in the angle and in the flatbar.

I used my ps3 during these steps to ensure the parts would fit properly.

Step 3:

Then you can add the weather stripping to the inside of the flatar to protect the PS3 from scratching.

Step 4:

At this point you can use the steel wool to clean up the aluminum and make it all nice and shiny.
This is also a good time to see if all parts will fit together and holes line up before mounting the system.

Step 5:

I decided to mount my system on the side of my TV stand. This location gave it good ventilation and access to front and rear ports.

At this stage I already drilled the holes for the lower angle and marked/drilled the holes for the top angle. Bolt the top angle through the cabinet (or whatever you are mounting it to). You can keep the lower angle bolted to the flatbar sections during installation.
To make the lock even stronger a flatbar section, backing plate can be used on the back side of the cabinet so that the nuts cannot be ripped out through the "wood" (I skipped this step).

Step 6:

Now just lift the ps3 with the bottom ange and flatbar sections as one unit into place, while holding it bolt the bottom angle into place. Line up the holes in the top angle with the flatbar sections and bolt together. Bolting is difficult at this stage but that is the point as this is a theft deterant system.

Step 7:

Now you are all done and can rest assured that your ps3 wont be going anywhere. If you are the type of person who needs to be mobile with your PS3 then you can alter the the design to use a hinge at the bottom and a flatbar section at the top that passes through the cabinet that can be locked using a pad lock.

hornbadoing says: Apr 20, 2012. 4:41 PM

*unscrews bolts* yay free ps3

scrufton (author) in reply to hornbadoingMay 26, 2012. 4:54 AM

As I stated in my instructions my previous PS3 was stolen from a recent break in. I have a house alarm so all they had time for was the PS3. Quick grab and go. This would take a few minutes to remove. I'm sure your regular thief isn't going to bother with tools and hardware. As with most theft protection it is only meant to deter.

scrufton (author) in reply to scruftonMay 25, 2012. 10:03 PM

This is also the reason I used nylocks, they wont just spin off. They are a real pain.

Nirgal38 in reply to hornbadoingApr 20, 2012. 5:26 PM

It's been my experience that removing the bolts is far more trouble than your average "snatch and run" thief will deal with. It kind of goes with the idea that locks exist to keep honest people honest.

hornbadoing in reply to Nirgal38May 1, 2012. 8:55 PM

I'm not a thief but i suppose your right. i taught myself to pick locks but i have never done it to commit a crime. I have never heard that expression before tho.

Dr.Paj says: Apr 20, 2012. 12:33 PM

An idea for a possible future improvement would be to have the screws that keep the entire rig attached to the piece of furniture only visible when the PS3 is removed. You could then use a standard padlock to keep the bars in place that are holding the PS3 up.

Basically, you would prevent anyone with a screwdriver from simply unscrewing your contraption and taking your PS3. This is because the PS3 would need to be removed before your metal rig could be detached from the desk. However, the only way your PS3 can be removed is if they removed the padlock first.

Other than that, its a great idea to keep those opportunistic thieves at bay.

scrufton (author) in reply to Dr.PajMay 25, 2012. 9:57 PM

That was my original idea. I mention it at the end of the article. I will probably go for it someday when i have more time.