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Grandpas Old Suitcase

European hardware -lever locks, profile cylinders specific for European locks. European lock picks and European locks.

Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:37

Part of my lock-hobby is to make obsolete keys, meaning keys that are no longer available for old items. One of those is my grandfathers suitcase. He bought it in San Fransisco sometime around 1913. It ended up in my house a few years ago, but with the key missing.

So, here goes a short process-report :D
First, the lock in question.
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Looking inside reveals a few levers. Hopefully not too hard :?
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:39

First thing is taking measurements, and preparing the blank. Milling aluminium to correct thickness
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:44

Then, alu-soldering the blade to the brass tubing.
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:46

One of the most importans operations: Prepare a good work-space and make sure to have refreshments within reach :mrgreen:
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
Posts: 189
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:49

Using a technique at least as old as the suitcase, I put the tip of the key above a small candle, before inserting in the lock to get marks.
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All I need to do now(hopefully), is remove the markings with a small file. This is done by testing in the lock a few times
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:54

The key opened the lock nicely, before I ran out of refreshments 8)
Then returned to the mill for a little hole for a lever-pin(or whatever to call. The "thing" that makes it easier to turn the key)
Image
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 4:57

Voila,- the finished key. Nothing too fancy, but works very well. Will probably do some polishing later on, together with all that must be prepared for X-mas :?
Image

Thx for watching,
Ed :D
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby EmCee » 30 Nov 2010 5:44

Nicely done!

Cheers...
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby femurat » 30 Nov 2010 8:12

Nice job, but I have a suggestion: you could use a brass washer instead of that horrible key pin. It's enough to cut a groove in the back part of the key and solder the washer inside it. With your metallurgic skills it should be a 5 minutes job :mrgreen:

Cheers :)
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 30 Nov 2010 8:54

Thank you, for the brass-washer tip.

Will do, - next time :mrgreen:

Ed
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby raimundo » 30 Nov 2010 14:03

when you happen to be in any antique store, particularily one with old furniture they often have a cigar box of old keys that sometimes come in handy for some of the drawer locks, however these look much like trunk keys and the staff don't really know keys so its all in the same box,
you may find a key that fits since the old trunk locks did not have many differs in the system.
Wake up and smell the Kafka!!!
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby pin_pusher » 30 Nov 2010 17:46

another great picto-tutorial by lock-ed. thanks.
unlock the funk
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby illusion » 1 Dec 2010 7:19

Lovely, I like that. :)
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Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby lock-ed » 2 Dec 2010 13:32

Many thx for the nice comments.

I would like to post more, but it seems I might have to wait some time.

Most of my work I do on safe-locks and car-locks. If I have understood it right, this is not allowed in the open forums, and I am not allowed in the advanced,- yet.

Hopefully, I will get a nice present for christmas :mrgreen:

I might attempt an ABUS padlock-cutaway in the meanwhile, if time allows.

So long,
Ed
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The rule of the six P´s: Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
lock-ed
 
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Location: Norway

Re: Grandpas Old Suitcase

Postby n0n4m3 » 25 Dec 2010 16:50

Very good job!!!
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