Key made for a 4 Johnson "Cleveland" Farebox

[rYche]

I obtained a Johnson "Cleveland" Farebox that did not have the key with it. Is it possible to have a key made for a Chicago 4 Way Lock? Anyone familiar with this that can assist me? I would like to keep everything original on this fare box or at least replace the existing lock with something equivalent!

Some information I found out about these locks/keys:
"The Chicago 4 way locks and keys are now controlled by GenFare, General Fare Industries. They took over everything from Keene who took over Johnson Farebox. I have tried to get locks and keys out of them but they only sell to the trade. All of the 4 way locks have a number on them and that determined the key cut code".

Thanks!!!

[GWiens2001]

Any pictures?

Gordon

[rYche]

Apologies, I do have a picture of my keys:










edited by keysman

[GWiens2001]

Ahh, I see. That is a cruciform key. Yes, a key can be made for that lock, but easier said than done for those in the United States. If you were in Portugal or Brasil, the locksmiths there see them frequently.

Gordon

[rYche]

Okay so I either need to move to Portugal or Brazil or hope that a locksmith from Portugal or Brazil happens to move to the States????

[GWiens2001]

There are some cruciform locks here in the US. Try calling some lock shops. Or safe shops, as have seen a few safes with cruciform locks. You might even buy some blanks and file a copy of your key. A locksmith might have to order the blanks, but they are in the ILCO catalog.

Or you can brush up on your Portugese and move to Portugal or Brasil.

Good luck!

Gordon

[rYche]

Gordon, appreciate the assistance!!

[rYche]

If anyone else that reads this post has either a way to make new keys for a 4 way Johnson lock or has a Johnson lock and key set they want to sell please contact me!

[Dogrocket]

If you're still trying to get a key made, and want to try impressioning a key - you might be able to use square angle brass stock:



Four pieces of (3/16th from the looks of it?) soldered back to back into a cross would be a pretty close approximation to a key blank for that lock (although not the prettiest key in the world).

[GWiens2001]

If you have a blank, it should be easy enough to copy with a key machine.

Gordon

[rYche]

If you have a blank, it should be easy enough to copy with a key machine.

Gordon

Unfortunately I do not have a blank. Was hoping by posting on here someone would see this and possibly sell me a blank, actually two as I need one for the inner cash box as well.

[GWiens2001]

Do you have a micrometer? If you show the key length (not including the key bow), width of the cut section of the key at the widest point, and the thickness of all 4 sides, it can help. Have a few generic blanks, but without more information, or the locks themselves, can't tell which ones would work.

Gordon

[rYche]

Gordon,

Apologies as if I wasn't clear but I don't have a key at all. This was my original question, "I obtained a Johnson "Cleveland" Farebox that did not have the key with it. Is it possible to have a key made for a Chicago 4 Way Lock?". So I am in need of two blanks and someone who can make those keys to work with the locks I have. Is this possible?


I would really like to be able to restore this box and use the original locks on it. I do have a micrometer so if there is something I can tell you off of the lock (cam) let me know.

Thanks for the assistance!

Vince

[GWiens2001]

Apologies, I do have a picture of my keys:

Perhaps I misunderstood!

If you can get some music wire or guitar wire, you can make an "L" and measure depth of cuts, hooking behind each pin. A flat straight pick or the back of a diamond rake can be put into the lock fully, pressed up against the pins, then pulled out slowly, the pins in each row can be counted. That will give you some of the specs needed. Especially using the wire to find out how far back the key needs to reach in in order for the key blank length to be determined.

You can try using your micrometer to measure the full width of the keyway on the two axis. Also, it may just be the picture of the lock that you posted, but it looks like two of the sides are higher than the other two sides. Maybe it is one side that is higher, and the lock has two positions in which the key can be removed. Also, two sides look wider than the other two (the two sides that look to take a thicker blank).

A blank could be made or used which has all thin sides, but normally cruciform keys have a thicker or taller side to help with key orientation. If you can determine the thickness of those sides, it also would help.

If I wasn't backed up with lock projects, would tell you to send me the lock. You can try taking it in to a local locksmith and asking if they can make keys for this type of lock. Some might, some won't. Can't tell you what your local locksmithing pricing for the job would be.

Good luck.

Gordon

[rYche]

Gordon,

Again, can't thank you enough for the assistance!

Let me ask you this, if you were to do something like this could you advise as to an approximate cost would be? I have a local locksmith tell me to bring my locks down to him and he will see if he can do it. I am just wondering what I should expect as to the cost to do this.

Vince