My miserable failure trying to cutaway Kwikset

[Kodack]

I tried to cut away one of my kwiksets tonight to make a see through pin model.

I failed miserably and allthought I'm sure it could have been done, I think the fact that the entire lock is made out of lead might have something to do with it.

As I dremeled the side of the pin shaft, instead of bits of metal flying, it just smeared lead all over my grinder bit. So I used a sandpaper bit, now it was grinding but the soft lead just kept bending inwards. Every once and awhile I'd have to drill out the pin holes because the sides would get pushed in by the grinder.

I tried for about 20 minutes and did manage to cut away a fair portion of the top pin assembly but the heat permanently warped the entire fixture, and the soft lead just ruined my day.

Who uses lead for construction outside of old school auto work?

I wish I had an oxy-acetaline...... I'm calming down though.


I managed to order 2 combo locks, 1 master #1, and a kwikset doornob lock to practice on.

I have a stethoscope (another hobby) and I can't wait to put it to use on those combo's.

Anyway it looks like I"m stuck paying $40 for a plexi practice lock.

[Wesson357]

It looks like I am going to end up having to get one of those clear locks too. I just can't decide which level to get tho.

[WhiteHat]

if you're going to get one - I'd say get the toughest you can find - you can always start with one pin and move up from there... but with an easy one - you'll get bored very quickly even with all pins in.

[Wesson357]

if you're going to get one - I'd say get the toughest you can find - you can always start with one pin and move up from there... but with an easy one - you'll get bored very quickly even with all pins in.

Thats what I was thinking, thanks for the advice.

[DomoKun]

I would recommend picking the easy kwinset deadbolts on any of your family or friends doors and tell them that you got cheap and easy locks that don't even need lockpicks to open them (while opening the thing in seconds) and then recommend to change their locks to the next level of security. Ask if you can keep the old locks. You don't nessarily have to get one of those clear practice locks. Just use your imagination and you'll see it. I mean, 100% of the locks out there in the visible world isn't see thru.