Pencil Keys???

[CaptHook]

wow a 5 year old thread.. its amazing how old and ancient some of the dark corners of lp101 can be.

and welcome back CaptHook, I see you've been around for many moons.

Happy Holidays,
Squelchtone

Thanks! Ive gotten back into locksmithing a bit, and am working on regaining my touch.
Glad to be back!
Chuck

[RevDisk]

I know it aint kosher, but when i come across an old or very tight lock, i often take my pencil(usualy F,HB or 2B) and draw all over the key(or pick) before i try turning the plug.
I'm delivering mail and meet a lot of worn out, or vandalised locks in an avarge day, and a gotta say, it kind of works.

That's an old Signal Corps trick. If you're having problems with a contact, use the eraser to clean off the surface corrosion. If you're having a problem getting a connector to screw on, use the pencil lead.

It's not a good idea, except in a pinch. Usually it's better to clean than add lube, but if you're in a hurry...