Lock Picking 101 Forum
A community dedicated to the fun and ethical hobby of lock picking.
       

Lock Picking 101 Home
Login
Profile
Members
Forum Rules
Frequent Forum Questions
SEARCH
View New Posts
View Active Topics


Live Chat on Discord
LP101 Forum Chat
Keypicking Forum Chat
Reddit r/lockpicking Chat



Learn How to Pick Locks
FAQs & General Questions
Got Beginner Questions?
Pick-Fu [Intermediate Level]


Ask a Locksmith
This Old Lock
This Old Safe
What Lock Should I Buy?



Hardware
Locks
Lock Patents
Lock Picks
Lock Bumping
Lock Impressioning
Lock Pick Guns, Snappers
European Locks & Picks
The Machine Shop
The Open Source Lock
Handcuffs


Member Spotlight
Member Introductions
Member Lock Collections
Member Social Media


Off Topic
General Chatter
Other Puzzles


Locksmith Business Info
Training & Licensing
Running a Business
Keyways & Key Blanks
Key Machines
Master Keyed Systems
Closers and Crash Bars
Life Safety Compliance
Electronic Locks & Access
Locksmith Supplies
Locksmith Lounge


Buy Sell Trade
Buy - Sell - Trade
It came from Ebay!


Advanced Topics
Membership Information
Special Access Required:
High Security Locks
Vending Locks
Advanced Lock Pick Tools
Bypass Techniques
Safes & Safe Locks
Automotive Entry & Tools
Advanced Buy/Sell/Trade


Locksport Groups
Locksport Local
Chapter President's Office
Locksport Board Room
 

Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

This is the old Locksmith business info area and will be broken down to fill in the new sections below.

Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby npdaniels » 2 Dec 2009 12:30

Is there an actual tool for removing mortise cylinders?

I have used vice grips and a cloth to remove them, but was wondering if there is an actual tool. As I have never come across one and was wondering if any others have made or used something different?

Thanks for your replies.
Keys? We don't need no stinkin keys!
npdaniels
 
Posts: 108
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 23:14
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby ElAbogado » 2 Dec 2009 12:44

npdaniels wrote:Is there an actual tool for removing mortise cylinders?

I have used vice grips and a cloth to remove them, but was wondering if there is an actual tool. As I have never come across one and was wondering if any others have made or used something different?

Thanks for your replies.


I have always just used a blank key to unscrew them. What it sounds like to me is that you have your cylinder in a bind. This can be created by tightening the adams-rite assembly screws after installing the cylinder. Just loosen the two or three big screws that go into the side of the door and through the lock assembly before removing them and you should be ok. Don't forget to tighten them afterwards.

If you are dealing with a non aluminum storefront type lock, then there could be another problem causing the bind.

El Abogado
ElAbogado
 
Posts: 226
Joined: 28 Oct 2009 22:19

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby npdaniels » 2 Dec 2009 15:04

Thanks El Abogado

Your right, some cylinders do bind and if you just loosen off the screws there is no binding on the door itself. Some cylinders are still tough to turn, I guess due to over tightening, once loosened a key should easily turn the cylinder.
Keys? We don't need no stinkin keys!
npdaniels
 
Posts: 108
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 23:14
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Squelchtone » 2 Dec 2009 17:30

npdaniels wrote:Is there an actual tool for removing mortise cylinders?


I like El Abogado's tips, they're the kind that come with experience. If you are still interested in the tool, this is what it looks like:

http://www.lockmasters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=48794

http://www.lockpickersmall.com/a116.html

The cost varies depending on if you buy it from a distributor or an online supply shop. Anywhere from $35 to $50.

Regards,
Squelchtone
Image
User avatar
Squelchtone
Site Admin
 
Posts: 11307
Joined: 11 May 2006 0:41
Location: right behind you.

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Eyes_Only » 2 Dec 2009 21:45

I've bought and used that tool on a couple of commercial calls before and I was glad I had it.
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
Eyes_Only
Supporter
Supporter
 
Posts: 4111
Joined: 17 Dec 2003 20:33

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby thelockoutguys » 3 Dec 2009 0:29

it wholesales for $38.95 from lockmasters
thelockoutguys
 
Posts: 108
Joined: 26 Jan 2009 0:06
Location: Oregon

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Thisguy » 3 Dec 2009 2:29

Just to add an alternative here, I've used a T-handled jar opener more than a few times :D , when key blanks and loosening screws fails.
Doesn't mar the cylinder.

This is similar to the one I got for like $5
http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/c ... navCount=1
Thisguy
 
Posts: 15
Joined: 1 Nov 2007 2:57

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby raimundo » 3 Dec 2009 8:34

I saw a guy remove a mortise lock with a pipe wrench, and he didn't even know about the set screw, so he plowed the tip of that screw all the way around that cylinder with brute force and ignorance.

it was really something to see.

you should remove the set screw from under the cover plate at the edge of the door.

This usually makes the unscrewing the cylinder easy enough to do with a keyblank.
Wake up and smell the Kafka!!!
raimundo
 
Posts: 7130
Joined: 21 Apr 2004 9:02
Location: Minnneapolis

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby npdaniels » 3 Dec 2009 12:06

Raimundo

That is a form of (insert unmentionable word here) for that particular style of lock assembly, when no key will enter the keyway or the cylinder is jammed.

I like the T handle idea, looks like it would work very well.

Thanks
Keys? We don't need no stinkin keys!
npdaniels
 
Posts: 108
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 23:14
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Rickthepick » 6 Dec 2009 15:28

npdaniels wrote:Raimundo

That is a form of (insert unmentionable word here) for that particular style of lock assembly, when no key will enter the keyway or the cylinder is jammed.

I like the T handle idea, looks like it would work very well.

Thanks


LOL

Adding to that someone showed me an awesome trick whereby you repeatedly tap the face of the cylinder with a bump hammer or other blunt object.

Repeated many, (!MANY!), times the grub screws are vibrated free for the cylinder to be unscrewed.

I really tightened them too but it still worked. May be worth using threadlocker if you ever install these! haha
Rickthepick
 
Posts: 1613
Joined: 24 Sep 2009 4:15
Location: UK

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby npdaniels » 6 Dec 2009 20:32

Now that’s cool.... I'm going to have to try that. I've have had some calls where the cylinder is turning and the customer does not know how to re-tighten the cylinder, My thoughts are repeated door slamming will cause the set screw to eventually vibrate loose.
Keys? We don't need no stinkin keys!
npdaniels
 
Posts: 108
Joined: 15 Jan 2009 23:14
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Eyes_Only » 7 Dec 2009 4:33

I've been on calls where the set screws were missing completely.
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
Eyes_Only
Supporter
Supporter
 
Posts: 4111
Joined: 17 Dec 2003 20:33

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Rickthepick » 7 Dec 2009 8:47

npdaniels wrote:Now that’s cool.... I'm going to have to try that. I've have had some calls where the cylinder is turning and the customer does not know how to re-tighten the cylinder, My thoughts are repeated door slamming will cause the set screw to eventually vibrate loose.


yes, just like upvc doors, whenever i re-adjust the door/lock i always go over all the screws and re tighten, as again, lack of maintenance and repeated slamming by the owner loosens everything.
Rickthepick
 
Posts: 1613
Joined: 24 Sep 2009 4:15
Location: UK

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby Tyler J. Thomas » 8 Dec 2009 16:47

If the cylinder still won't come out after you've:

1) Loosened the set screw
2) Loosened the mounting screws
3) Made a quick visual inspection to make sure the threads on the cylinder and lock aren't crossed

and you're dealing with a lock that has either another mortise cylinder or thumbturn on the other side, try loosening it's set screw and removing it completely. I've seen many, many AR-style locks with misaligned crossbores. The inside or outside cylinder (depending on the situation) can actually bind the other.

Crossed threads (noted at top) are another common occurrence. I actually just learned a method to file the side of a standard mortise cylinder to make it work as a tap. It's really only good for 3-4 uses (because it is just soft brass, after all), but that's really not an issue since you're just going to be fixing the threads once, hopefully. A lot of of the scammers are wrenching cylinders into either the AR-style or telescoping bolt-style locks commonly found on store front doors. It can be a real pain in the ass to deal with.
Tyler J. Thomas
Supporter
Supporter
 
Posts: 1133
Joined: 13 Aug 2009 20:57
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

Re: Is there such a tool for removing mortise cylinders

Postby exspook » 23 Dec 2009 15:51

Rick..Please dont fit the screws on Adams right locks with Blue thread lock..

The heads are shyte and they split in two...followed by copious amonts of nastyness

Sure you wouldnt do it anyway as you seem like a decent bloke :D

Have had these sooper glued up to the max though (bleeding tree huggers and coffee shops) and that has siezed the entire lock
exspook
 
Posts: 192
Joined: 9 Mar 2008 15:16
Location: England

Next

Return to Locksmith Business Information Archive 2003-2014

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest