Question on Plug Followers

[YouLuckyFox]

Didn't see this anywhere else, so I thought I'd share and ask a question. Haven't bought this YET but am looking forward to using it to let a master-keyed stack down and placing back up in the bible (though probably harder than it sounds.) I was caught without a plug follower awhile back after impressioning and shimming open a master-keyed Schlage I actually used another Schlage plug as a follower, but the master wafers slipped out somehow. Image posted with original product description:
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Our plug follower has a second channel for reloading the top springs and pins that sometimes go @#%$&. A translucent inner plug allows natural light or a light source to be placed behind the follower to assist the user in the reloading of the pin stack in low light conditions. Picture as shown has a light source in place.
$19.00


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Question, why does there seem to be a "first channel" (using the terminology of the product description for clarity) in most plug followers?

What purpose does this recess serve?

[cledry]

Not sure, but I have tried many master followers in my 30 years and I have found none come close to the Keedex for versatility.

[cledry]

Oh, sorry I misunderstood. The channel is to accept the rear of mortise locks that have a raised area that the cam sits on.

[YouLuckyFox]

Cledry,
Thank you for your response, as I was actually not aware of the existence of master followers until you recommended the Keedex. About your second post: if I understand correctly, the recess in the plug followers allows the plug follower to come snug against the plug by making room for the cam? Or does it allow actuation of a mortice lock in some way? Please excuse my inexperience with mortice locks.

[Evan]

Cledry,
Thank you for your response, as I was actually not aware of the existence of master followers until you recommended the Keedex. About your second post: if I understand correctly, the recess in the plug followers allows the plug follower to come snug against the plug by making room for the cam? Or does it allow actuation of a mortice lock in some way? Please excuse my inexperience with mortice locks.

No, on the back of the plug of a mortice cylinder, there is a projection which fits within the cam, the recessed area on the end of follower is to allow the follower to fit snugly against the plug...

It does not allow for actuation of a mortice lock as the cylinder must be removed from the lock to be disassembled and the cam removed before the plug can be pushed out using a follower...

~~ Evan

[YouLuckyFox]

Thank you for the clarification, Evan. This has been most helpful.

[2octops]

I tried to find a pic that would help illustrate the piece on the back of most mortise cylinders but could not easily do so, but I did find this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNdp9HB2QT8

Here's a pic of the back of a cylinder with the cam installed

[YouLuckyFox]

@ 2Octops:
That was a wonderful video, I can visualize it perfectly now. Thank you for taking the time to find it, and add a photo . Coincidentally, I was watching this Youtube-user's videos earlier today watching how to load spring and top pins. I recommend liking this guys videos and helping to encourage him making more of them.

What would the opinion be on this specialized plug follower? I am very new to these things, I've only recently had necessity bear its head for me to care about them. Would the Specialized Plug Follower have any advantage over the Keedex Master Follower? Honestly, I am leaning toward the Keedex. If there would be a reason to purchase both, it would certainly be an option.

[cledry]

95% of the time the Keedex is all I use. It has features that most people do not even notice until they need them, such as the groove for working on master keyed Almont padlocks. It has special cut outs for many types of cylinders, Yale lever with attached tailpiece, Sargent 8 & 10 Line and many other locks.

The only downside is that it is heavy being solid brass and can slip out of a cylinder more easily than a hollow brass tubing follower that is somewhat retained by spring pressure alone.

I have poor eyesight and haven't needed a lighted follower yet. I can see its place but not for me.

[YouLuckyFox]

Thanks again, Cledry. I appreciate your outlining of the pros and cons. I've decided on the Keedex, even though it may be a little heavy like you said. Sorry for so many questions, maybe one day I'll know enough to start extending more answers than questions.

[MBI]

Thanks again, Cledry. I appreciate your outlining of the pros and cons. I've decided on the Keedex, even though it may be a little heavy like you said. Sorry for so many questions, maybe one day I'll know enough to start extending more answers than questions.

Don't feel bad, everybody has to learn things somewhere.

If you'll forgive me for getting preachy... when it gets really frustrating is when people ask useless questions, like "I haz pickz but I can't get them 2 werk wut am i doin rong?" A question like that not only has frustrating spelling and grammar, it shows a lack of interest in researching his own problem and solving it, and it fails to give us enough information to even begin trying to help. Or else where someone asks a question, they get a good answer, but since it's not what they wanted to hear they keep asking the same question over and over again hoping someone will tell them what they want to hear, regardless of whether it's correct.

Your question here was clearly worded, even included pictures for illustration, and will likely be useful to others down the road. These are the types of questions we NEED around here, as it stimulates discussion and helps add useful information to the forum's library of information.

[YouLuckyFox]

Thank you for the assurance, it feels good to know I'm not being a nuisance! I will try to keep my future posts up to standard!

I haz pickz but I can't get them 2 werk wut am i doin rong?"

I have seen quite a bit of this, either this or salesman advertising in some smarmy way--it is most unfortunate (though sometimes amusing to see how such efforts are deterred: http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=57146&p=416509&hilit=camera#p416509)

I certainly share your viewpoint about helping to add to this forum, it is a great wealth of knowledge; I hope to be able to contribute in what little way I can. Honestly, it is just good to be among others who share this passion/hobby/occupation. I often get strange looks when telling others that I have knowledge of locksmithing (not that this stops them from calling me in a pinch .)

[ARF-GEF]

I've been wanting to make a series of plug followers for myself.

I've measured a lot of the plugs I came across, but could you post the diameters of the plug followers you use too?
If I start making them I want to make a bunch of them.

So looking at my own lock I found I would need the following diameters:
12,2mm = 0,48 inches
12,5mm = 0,49 inches
12,7mm = 0,5 inches
13mm = 0,51 inches

[jeffmoss26]

Here are the sizes I use (in inches)
.400 for American and Master padlocks
.495, .500 for standard mortise/knob cylinders
.550 Corbin mortise cylinders

I have duplicates...different materials, different style notches, etc.

[2octops]

I just have the HPC hollow followers in my van. Anything funky comes up and I just roll up a business card and use it.