Stuck pins

[Kenneth_V]

I have an old Yale & Towne push lock that i picked up a week or two ago and the pins are stuck up into the core, not even down into the keyway.





I can see the tips of the keypins barely into the keyway.

I have soaked it in WD for a week and have wrapped on it every few days with a rubber mallet to not damage the surface of the lock

Pin 1 still will not move up or down, pins 2, 3 and 4 are now able to be pushed up but will not drop down more than a tiny bit into the keyway.

Are these locks vulnerable to oversetting the keypins into the bible like in a comb pick attack? it might be easier to try and get the pins up instead of down.

Any ideas on how to free up the pins besides just soaking?

I'd like to get this lock functional

[GWiens2001]

It sounds like the springs broke and/or rusted.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

Unfortunately if the pins are stuck up for any length of time, the springs will be crushed--
If you can get that first pin unstuck & open the lock you can disassemble it and put in new springs-- Have you tried a soak in some alcohol?

[Kenneth_V]

yes, I'm sure the springs are a rusted mess.

I havent tried alcohol, just WD

I think if I can get that first pin moving, I should be able to get it apart. Pretty sure there is nothing left for springs!

Ill give alcohol a try next

[Kenneth_V]

Well I was able to get the lock apart after weeks of soaking in WD40 and beating the body with a rubber hammer



It was a dirty mess inside

Now into the WD again for another soak to try and free up the driver pins. They are still stuck as well.

I can't let this thing beat me!!!

[GWiens2001]

I can't let this thing beat me!!!

Congratulations on your victory! And don’t give up! As long as you are not a working locksmith under time constraints, it is good to take the time. You will learn a lot and feel so proud of your success.

Gordon

[Kenneth_V]

Well I won!!

It lost a little patina from the propane torch but I think someone shellacked it or put something on the body. At least it is now a functioning lock.





Picked up the key from an antique store a while back before I knew the lock wasn't working. I was hoping to reuse as many of the pins as possible but not so lucky.

I am not sure what the original finish was on these. If I decide to re-do it, thinking I might hot or cold blue the steel body.

[jeffmoss26]

looks great!

[Kenneth_V]

I'll have to post a pic I took of the driver pins that came out of it when I get home. One was broken or I broke it getting it out!!

Not sure if they are original but they are a brass serrated gin bottle style.

[Kenneth_V]

Maybe more of a torpedo

[femurat]

Cool pins! It's nice to follow a story when it ends so well.

Cheers