How Do I Remove Padlock Core???

[darrenuk]

Ok, i am looking to remove the core of a padlock so as i can create a 'cutaway' lock. My problem is i cannot see any way to remove the core.

The lock in question is a 'Heritage Brass' padlock, similar to pictured.

Any info/help would be greatly appreciated, i have used the search option but could not find anything out about these locks.

Darren

[darrenuk]

Sorry, picture can be found here: http://www.finchley-locksmith.co.uk/img ... dlocks.jpg

Darren

[Squelchtone]

Your lock's pin caps may be individual or they may be a strip like in the link I'm about to provide, either way it's a lot of work.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10665

Some others have dropped padlocks in boiling water in order to get the individual caps to come out, as well as the shackle retaining pin. If you look at the lock under different angles and different light conditions, you will see the circles where the pins are.

Squelchtone

[darrenuk]

Thanks for the info Squelchtone, I was hoping to remove the internals without drilling/damaging the lock in any way.

On the bottom of my padlock it looks like the whole core will come out (drop out of the bottom) but I cannot see how to release it. When I unlock the padlock using the key I cannot see any screw inside to unscrew. (I have read here that on some padlocks a screw holds the core in place)

Any other help would be appreciated.

Darren

[Squelchtone]

Thanks for the info Squelchtone, I was hoping to remove the internals without drilling/damaging the lock in any way.

On the bottom of my padlock it looks like the whole core will come out (drop out of the bottom) but I cannot see how to release it. When I unlock the padlock using the key I cannot see any screw inside to unscrew. (I have read here that on some padlocks a screw holds the core in place)

Any other help would be appreciated.

Darren

If you can take some pics of the bottom of your lock and post them on photobucket then post a link to them that would probably make things easier to work with.


Thanks man,
Squelchtone

[darrenuk]

Ok, I have a couple of photos now. I can see the 6 pins that you describe drilling out, the last photo is the side where they are but cannot see in the photo. I can just see them by eye but do not really want to drill those out if I can help it.

I am hoping that there is another way to release the core.

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60 ... es/015.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60 ... es/012.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60 ... es/013.jpg

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac60 ... es/015.jpg

Darren

[Evan]

@darrenuk:

That lock CAN NOT be taken apart non-destructively...

You would need to disassemble something that was never intended to be taken apart, you would not be able to do that in a way which would cause zero damage...

The cylinder plug is held in by the pins in the chambers and the boltworks which have been inserted in the edge of the lock on the side where the cuts on the key point towards when you insert it in the lock...

You will see where the holes were filled in with round brass stock and cut and then milled flush with the surface of the padlock...

~~ Evan

[darrenuk]

Thanks Evan for the information, that's great.

I am not a lock picker, (hence why I have no knowledge about dismantling locks) I have recently purchased a small milling machine for various projects (non lock related) and after seeing a few cutaway locks on the Internet thought it would be fun and good milling practice to have ago at cutting one as a first project.

As i have no choice I will take the route of drilling out the pins and take it from there.

Darren

[darrenuk]

One more quick question.....

I assume that there are one or two types/makes of brass padlocks that are easy to disassemble with out the need of drilling out pins etc, what makes/brands can you recommend?

Thanks,
Darren

[MacGnG1]

One more quick question.....

I assume that there are one or two types/makes of brass padlocks that are easy to disassemble with out the need of drilling out pins etc, what makes/brands can you recommend?

Thanks,
Darren

pretty much any padlock advertised as "can be rekeyed" ABUS, Brinks, and ACE all make rekeyable padlocks.

[Evan]

One more quick question.....

I assume that there are one or two types/makes of brass padlocks that are easy to disassemble with out the need of drilling out pins etc, what makes/brands can you recommend?

Thanks,
Darren

pretty much any padlock advertised as "can be rekeyed" ABUS, Brinks, and ACE all make rekeyable padlocks.

+1 to what MacGnG1 has said...

Many older padlocks that could be re-keyed were advertised as "removable core" and needed a "tool" which was made by machining the bottom of the key which operated the lock... Modern re-keyable padlocks can often be disassembled using a screwdriver or allen wrench...

~~ Evan

[darrenuk]

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it.

Darren

[dls]

if you look on the side of the padlock where the pins are there will be a series of small circular spots on top of each pin and another one just after them and a larger one at the top if there are five pins in the lock and six dots on the side of the lock take out the sixth dot this will release a spring and a single pin.

This pin sits in a groove in the end of the plug and is what holds it in the lock after removing it simply insert the key and turn slightly before pulling the plug out.

You could also try to turn the plug slightly pull the key gently then bang the lock very hard on a large block of wood with the pins facing the wood. The pin may have enough momentum to bump up into its chamber allowing the plug to pop out. You could also place a larger spring on the key before inserting it in the lock this would pull the key back out while you try to bump this pin. This will only work if the spring is fairly weak.

once you remove the plug all the top pins and springs will fall into the core of the lock where you can remove them easily this will allow you to machine the lock body out while protecting the plug and pin stacks. Maybe try to machine it a little less than half way down so there is a little metal left there to hold the whole lot together when the cutaway is finished

[darrenuk]

if you look on the side of the padlock where the pins are there will be a series of small circular spots on top of each pin and another one just after them and a larger one at the top if there are five pins in the lock and six dots on the side of the lock take out the sixth dot this will release a spring and a single pin.

This pin sits in a groove in the end of the plug and is what holds it in the lock after removing it simply insert the key and turn slightly before pulling the plug out.

You could also try to turn the plug slightly pull the key gently then bang the lock very hard on a large block of wood with the pins facing the wood. The pin may have enough momentum to bump up into its chamber allowing the plug to pop out. You could also place a larger spring on the key before inserting it in the lock this would pull the key back out while you try to bump this pin. This will only work if the spring is fairly weak.

once you remove the plug all the top pins and springs will fall into the core of the lock where you can remove them easily this will allow you to machine the lock body out while protecting the plug and pin stacks. Maybe try to machine it a little less than half way down so there is a little metal left there to hold the whole lot together when the cutaway is finished

Thanks DLS for the information and the tips. Once my machine is set up (next week) i will have another look at the lock and try some of your methods.

Darren

[yono]

if that heritage brass padlock is made in china..mostly.. the retaining pin is about one pin further from the tip of its key. one way to determine that is by laying the key out(where the pins is align) make an extra 1 pin space, and center punch it lightly. the cover pin will dropped down a bit..and thats will be your mark in drilling it out. caution!! without any familiarization in drilling out, top spring cover pin..you will end up Kapot(failure)! regards.