Creating a key for an old lock?

by **Sabby** » 1 Sep 2007 12:47

Hi,

Our inner house has doors with such old keys as this one(check pic). But we have some doors that have no key anymore, how could you make such a key

I just tried to make a plastic one, but doesn't work, or can you really have one made that really fits that particular lock?

Grts

pics:

by **unbreakable** » 1 Sep 2007 13:14

Just an idea, you might want to look into lost wax casting.

I have NO IDEA where you could get blanks for the lock, but you might want to talk to the guys at http://www.bluedogthekeycompany.com/

by **Sabby** » 1 Sep 2007 13:56

Yea, plus if i would want to make blancs, i have to know where those "marks" are, cuz i have no real examples of the keys

by **JackNco** » 1 Sep 2007 13:59

looks like a nice old warded lock. you may be able to buy a key that would work but I doubt very much you would get a blank.

chances are a metal shop could make you one up if they had access to the lock.

John

by **unbreakable** » 1 Sep 2007 14:25

I would really contact bluedog with a picture and see if they can help at all, you might be pleasantly surprised.

by **JackNco** » 1 Sep 2007 14:26

heh, I wasn't dismissing them I was just offering more info

by **lockpick1968** » 1 Sep 2007 20:27

Cut you a piece of metal stiff enough that wont bend and do the impressioning with it, then cut it out and that might get you by.

by **Kaotik** » 1 Sep 2007 22:42

You could make a duplicate by making a cast of the key as mentioned above if a blank is unavailable. Making a blank of that key would only require filling in the notches/bitings with a clay before making a mold of it and poor in a low-medium melting alloy and use an impressioning method to determine where to file the bitings.

Or, if any good at soldering you could get some brass of the same size as the different areas of the key and silver solder them together. You can find a guide to silver soldering Here.

Hope this helps

by **mhole** » 2 Sep 2007 3:28

Get a blank from a locksmith - all you need to match is the gauge of the stem. Once you've got the blank you can cut a key to fit the lock quite easily, especially if you can remove the lock from the door and open up the case so you can see the warding.

A locksmith should be able to do this for you too, for relatively little money.

by **linty** » 2 Sep 2007 6:55

the numbers stamped on that key might be enough for blue dog to be able to help you identify it. although every time i've tried to use their "key detective" service i've gotten a fax back within a couple minutes saying they don't have it.

It's definitely possible to file one by hand but you're gonna pay a lot just for the blank.

This is considered to be a specialty service and most locksmiths won't even offer it, the ones that do are probably going to charge you $45 or more.

Still it looks like a fun challenge to file.

by **arris** » 2 Sep 2007 9:55

at my work, we make keys to old locks,
is a time consuming process i just made 2 keys for a 18th centry lock i think it was, alot of effort goes in, an specially when i had nearly finsihed the 2nd, i snapped the bit of, as they are cast there was a blow hole under an had a crack so had no chance

it can be done but you need time an patience..

by **maintenanceguy** » 2 Sep 2007 10:12

If you want to do it yourself, any locksmith and most hardware stores should be able to order you the right blank.

If you disassemble the lock, making the key will be obvious, just time consuming.

by **Sabby** » 2 Sep 2007 17:25

Cool, all nice replies here

thanks

by **lockpicker69** » 2 Sep 2007 17:28

i remember making my first heavily warded church key by hand it took a full day .the locksmith who i was working under told the preist it may not work first time and we might have to come out to the lock or you bring it to us ,luckily it worked first time and i was very pleased with myself .
the main thing is to get the nearest blank you possibly can to it .
we got the blank from here http://www.davenport-burgess.com/ .
it appers that they dont sell them anymore but i am sure you will get a match from somewhere

this was going back about 10 yrs now ,the blankcost about Â£25 on its own and i dont know how much my boss charged him for the key .
i am not trying to patrize you but looking at your attempt to make a plastic copy i suggest you go to a good reputable locksmith to make you 1
richard

by **Sabby** » 3 Sep 2007 16:48

Hahaha no problem;) i thought it was very cool to make a plastic key, ofcourse i realised fast it wasn't going to work

Creating a key for an old lock?

Creating a key for an old lock?

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