Euro Lock Cam at 10 O/Clock

[crusaderman]

I've had one or 2 jobs where the customer couldn't retract the key after they had locked their door. For some reason they had managed to make the "Cam" slip out of the normal 5 or 7 O/Clock position for key insertion / retraction.

I can only imagine that the cam must have somehow snagged on the edge of the hole in the locking case within the door and the operator forced the plug round causing the cam to slip?

In each case I just replaced the lock, but my question is: can this lock be rectified by removing or opening the circlip or has the lock been rendered "useless"? Is my theory correct? Sorry that's 2 questions.

Sorry about the absence of a photo...I did take one but I can't see an option on here to insert it!

[mhole]

This is caused by a miscut key, usually on the wrong blank. If the tip of the key doesn't fully engage the cam, it can disengage half way round and leave the cam in the wrong position. A common cause is cutting down a 6 pin blank to use with a 5 pin cylinder, and taking off too much.

I have picked the lock, then used a tension tool engage the cam in the correct position. You can also file the tip off an existing key to do the same thing. Bear in mind that if they retain to altered key, or the bad copy which originally caused the fault it can happen again. As such u often recommend a new cylinder with factory cut keys.

[crusaderman]

Thanks mhole.....that does make a lot of sense. As a "novice" I never would have thought of that scenario.

I still have so much to learn but stuff like this just proves what a fascinating job being a Locksmith can be!

Excellent reply, thanks again.

[Squelchtone]

..I did take one but I can't see an option on here to insert it!

server is full, photo upload option is disabled, please upload to tinypic.com or to imgur.com and then Copy/Paste the link in your reply. thanks.

[crusaderman]

Hi MHOLE

I just tried to replicate what you suggested. Got a 6 pin blank and copied the working key. I then ground it down to just beyond the 6th vee therefore making it as short as possible.

With a lot of "jiggling" and interchanging of both keys in each end of the lock I managed to bring the cam back into it's correct position. I think some of this result might have been achieved more through luck than by judgement!

All the same, it's great to make some progress, so thanks again.

[crusaderman]

Before and After piccis of Euro Lock mentioned earlier.

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Sorry if these images come out a bit weird sizewise! My first effort at putting photos on the forum!