My home made barrel key collection (& how to)

[Lauren]

This is what I do on my spare time. I enjoy making barrel keys on my drill press. All these keys were made from bar stock and machined. These are not castings. All these keys work and go to antique padlocks that I've obtained without keys.

[Solomon]

Very impressive! I couldn't even impression a decent one, let alone machine an entire key out of stock. I'm sure you put a lot of work into each one, it really shows. Thanks for sharing, it's always nice to see stuff like this

[Lauren]

I give all those antique locks without keys on Ebay new life. Anyone who just collects locks and keys is missing out.

[LocksmithArmy]

thats really cool

[Lauren]

It's amazing what one can do with limited machinery. Every key I make gets more detail. I'm always finding new ways to improve precision with less time. I'm thinking of posting instructions with pictures sometime in the near future on how to make these.

[Lauren]

Here's a quick drawing I did to so some of the steps. I use a key machine slot cutting blade to cut away the shaft area. And, I clean it up with a home made lathe bit on my x-y vise.

[Raymond]

These are truly impressive!!!!!! You are a very talented craftsman.

[Lauren]

Thanks everyone; I'm glad there are people out there who can appreciate the art of making these keys. It takes me about 6 hours to make one. And, once they fit the lock, I have to make them work- two problems to deal with. For me, it takes locksmithing to a whole new level, just by returning to an old one. I started making these keys because it appears that no one makes these keys anymore. I did find a foundry in Elkhart, Indiana (Crosbie Foundry Products) that sells casting of popular barrel keys (some for railroad padlocks). The quality of their keys are somewhat crude, and need a lot of cleaning. You also have to drill your own hole for the keyway pin. Drilling a hole in one can be a problem in its self. If you don't drill perfectly center, the key won't work or look professional. I do have a simple technique to solve this problem, however.

Nevertheless, I enjoy machining my own keys, it's more fun.

[pin_pusher]

i'm a tool collector myself, and am hoping someday to have enough to make everything on my own....impossible, but i'm a dreamer. thanks for the post, and hope they all work out very well for you.

[KokomoLock]

Outstanding work!! I could not even tell the keys were not factory. With skills like that have you tried your hand at pick making, I bet they would be great!!

[Lauren]

I've seen some outstanding pick making skills demonstrated in this forum, and I've already gone down that road. Homemade picks were fun for awhile and I just got bored with it.

[Solomon]

I've seen some outstanding pick making skills demonstrated in this forum, and I've already gone down that road. Homemade picks were fun for awhile and I just got bored with it.

Are you talking regular picks? I think kokomo means more along the lines of 2in1 style picks for lever locks, curtain picks, ones for lever padlocks etc. I'd agree, by the looks of those keys you could make outstanding pick tools for those kinds of locks.

[Lauren]

Regular picks, special picks and tools, I've already done. Like I said, I've seen some real art go into pick making and envy the artisans who make them. It's just something that doesn't interest me right now. Locksmithing is a dynamic hobby, it's always changing and I like challenges. But, I like learning new skills and collaborating with members.

[pjzstones]

true craftsmanship, very nicely done!

[unlisted]

I nominate this thread to be a sticky on sheer merit of epic-ness.

Oh wait, I can simply make it a sticky...

DONE!