Help With Master Lock

[gordy43]

I'm very much a locksmith novice but have enjoyed learning a ton from this forum about how a lock works etc. My question is pretty straightforward, but here is the back story: I have a nice set of matching Master Lock padlocks in various sizes 3, 5, Pro Series, and specific use items such as trailer locks and receiver locks. For me 1 key convenience/deterrence outweighs security, so not really looking for solutions that stray from the idea I have.

I use the Master Lock k1 key i.e. xxxx numbered keys, I can order most locks/items I need easily by key number. I have a few large tool boxes/containers that have cheap cam locks in them that I would like to swap out and use my same master lock k1 XXXX key. Again this more convenience/deterrent based than strong security problem thing. I know that all you pickers can get through these in a minute or less, but most of locks I use are to keep kids from using something or getting into something they shouldnt.

I have looked high and low and have come up with really one solution and a possible solution. Any master locksmiths want to throw in a idea?

1) Purchase a Master Lock Key Cabinet like the 7122D cabinet and just remove the cam lock and adapt it as needed.
http://www.lockmastersusa.com/product.j ... 13&cid=297

2) Purchase some kind of universal cylinder cam lock and find a master lock cylinder with the keyway I need, rekey and make it work.
http://www.olympus-lock.com/820lc.htm
But I cant figure out what cylinder will fit!

Am I missing the obvious? Does another off the shelf cam lock or disc lock use the k1 keyway that can be rekeyed?

Thanks for any advice!

[unjust]

while by no means a master locksmith, i'll toss out a few.

since you're more concerned with a modicum of prevention than serious security, you may be able to find a cam lock that will accept the key you've chosen. then you'd merely have to re wafer the lock to your biting. i'd expect that any decent lock shop would be a little bemused but happily try out a few locks to see what will fit, and then sell you as many as you'd like.

[keysman]

So what exactly are you hoping to accomplish? Do want all your tool boxes and padlocks keyed the same ? ( 1 key works them all)

I don't know of any camlocks that take the M1 ( master padlock blank).
Best makes a cam lock that will work on the Best key that can also be keyed to many other locks ( padlocks , desk ,cabinets ,house, file cabinets ect)

[gordy43]

Hey keysman here is some more info...

---So what exactly are you hoping to accomplish? Do want all your tool boxes and padlocks keyed the same ? ( 1 key works them all)---

Yes, exactly.

---I don't know of any camlocks that take the M1 ( master padlock blank)---

That's the problem I see as well. My ideas were to harvest one from a Master Lock Key Cabinet which appears to be both a cam lock and its specs say it can be rekeyed with the Python rekeying kit, or find m1 cylinder that has the same specs as another standard cylinder and install it like a deadbolt.

---Best makes a cam lock that will work on the Best key that can also be keyed to many other locks ( padlocks , desk ,cabinets ,house, file cabinets ect)---

This is probably next best solution but was hoping someone had a great solution so I could avoid more keys. I dont want to replace a few hundred dollars in padlocks/trailer locks just for a "new" set of keyed alike locks.

Whats drives me nuts is you look at the specs for something like a Ilco 1599 cylinder and they have every keyway under the sun except master lock....maybe just too much to ask.
http://www.olympus-lock.com/PDF/Pdsheet ... o_1599.pdf

Keep coming with the ideas!

[unjust]

i'm just thinking about the warding on most cam locks, and it's not absurdly complex.... or robust. a dremel or a file may open up a keyway enough to accept the key, and you're just back to recombinating the lock which may mean custom wafers, but if you've got tools...

[cledry]

National used to sell a cam lock in a keyway that was like the one for the Master #3 but was thinner. If you can find these you can use the National blank and cut your padlock key on this blank, then any good locksmith can make the cam lock work from the key.

[Evan]

@gordy43:

Your problem seems to be clear:

-- You do not want to replace all of your locks so that they will all have the same key...

-- You want to match a small size pin tumbler cylinder (Master Lock K1 keyway) into a wafer/cam lock type housing...

Your research has lead you to the following conclusions:

-- Full-size cabinet lock hardware does not offer the Master Lock K1 keyway cylinders even in their "universal" product offering...

-- You might be able to cobble together something from a master lock key cabinet that uses a W1 cylinder which is compatible with the Python product line...

It seems as if your situation is complicated by the fact that you have a cam-lock application which you want to adapt to be operated by a small standardized pin-tumbler key...

It would be useful to see pictures of the tool boxes/containers which have the cheap cam locks you wish to replace... Especially important to document or show would be the mechanism which the cam cylinder operates, as it may not be economically feasible to modify the locking arrangement inside the tool box or cabinet to allow a different type of cam lock which may be longer in size to fit the containers in question...

Some possible solutions off the top of my head on your problem are:

-- Look at CCL or CompX/National pin tumbler cam locks... I suspect however that the spacing would not be a fit with the Master Lock K1 specs and finding a keyway which is easily modified would not be an easy endeavor either, then you would have to deal with the cam lock itself being approximately twice as long as the cheapo one you would be removing...

-- See if a cam-lock style padlock hasp would work in your application (without knowing the internal mechanism in your tool box it is not possible to know if it would work or not...

-- Master lock makes many types of slam lock and deadbolt style locks meant to be built into locker products manufactured by other companies... Could one of those be adapted to your specific situation ?

-- Could you adapt a file cabinet style bar lock to the surface of your tool boxes (assuming they are the type with pull out drawers) which you could then use a standard padlock to keep the containers secured with your K1 xxxx master padlocks...

~~ Evan

[gordy43]

Thanks for all the ideas. I ended up ordering http://www.lockmastersusa.com/product.j ... 13&cid=297

The included camlock is standard in every way and came off the key cabinet easily and slipped into the tool box just as nice.

Lockmaster even re-keyed to match my existing set of other locks, but I was prepared to take this to a locksmith who can rekey the "Python" locks.

So I called Master Lock and explained again what I was doing and both people I talked with were like "We should sell that..." even as a replacement part to a product they sell currently.

Anyway, I plan to sell the box itself after I put in a cheap cam lock and my problem has been solved.

[Butersomprom]

Thanks for all the ideas. I ended up ordering http://www.lockmastersusa.com/product.j ... 13&cid=297

The included camlock is standard in every way and came off the key cabinet easily and slipped into the tool box just as nice.

Lockmaster even re-keyed to match my existing set of other locks, but I was prepared to take this to a locksmith who can rekey the "Python" locks.

So I called Master Lock and explained again what I was doing and both people I talked with were like "We should sell that..." even as a replacement part to a product they sell currently.

Anyway, I plan to sell the box itself after I put in a cheap cam lock and my problem has been solved.

good to hear that. you ended up in good way..