Removing the core from an old Craftsman lock

[manskirtbrew]

I picked this old craftsman lock up at an antique shop today. It had no key. I picked it a few times, and now I'd like to get the core out.

It looks like the core is held in by the brass body being crimped over. I tried grinding off that rim, but it won't budge. Anyone know how to get it out before I hurt myself?

[GWiens2001]

Are you sure that is not a clip that snaps into place? Or is there a screw inside the shackle hole when the lock is unlocked?

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

My guess is this core is actually held in place with a solid brass pin that extends through the thinnest part of the padlock body. This is an antique padlock and you may very well ruin it in this quest, but if you don't care then the easiest was to see the pins that hold the core in is to brush off all the tarnish on the lock body, once the tarnish is gone the pins will become much easier to see, I'm sure Lauren could tell you more about this padlock.

I also wanna say if you can't see any pins holding the core in then it looks like it has been crimped in the area where it says "craftsman" and if so, it is not intended to be taken apart.

[Raymond]

It is an old lock so just impression the key and forget about rekeying it.

You will not see all the pins on the side of the lock because they are not there. The top pin chamber has all the holes and is conceale by the case. This lock may say Craftsman but it is probably a rebranded Ilco. There might be one pin on the side, about 1/4 up from the bottom, that holds the top pin chamber in. With the pin gone, the top pin chamber and plug will slide out the front for rekeying or whatever.

But the answer that is probably most correct is the the brass body has been peened over the top pin chamber. Try hitting the shackle in with a hammer. On several of this type of locks, hitting the shackle also hits the back of the top pin chamber and can push it out. You might also pick it open and try a punch through the shackle hole. Keep the punch as large a diameter as possible and be aware not to deform the top pin chamber so much that the pins freeze.

[manskirtbrew]

Thanks everyone.

Are you sure that is not a clip that snaps into place? Or is there a screw inside the shackle hole when the lock is unlocked?

Those were my first two thoughts, as well. The shackle hole is blind, no screws. It's definitely not a clip, which is why I resorted to grinding the lip off.



I don't see any brass pins on the lock body. I'll take some sandpaper to it tomorrow to be entirely sure, but I may just be hanging it on the wall.

[GWiens2001]

Thank you for the updated info. Good luck with that lock!

Gordon