My home made barrel key collection (& how to)

[YouLuckyFox]

Good to have you back, Bill!

[Lauren]

I received this steel padlock in the locked position and without a key. The lock is stamped "6 Lever LINCOLN". I decoded this lock with a special tool that I made while the lock was locked. My tools and my techniques appear to get better and better with each new lock that I tackle. The lever tumblers on this padlock are not clawed to the hasp. There is a separate bolt that engages the lever tumbler stack.

[Lauren]

This beautiful 4 Lever padlock was once produced by "Corbin Cabinet Lock Company" and was named after a mythological Greek hero "AJAX". This lock was purchased without a key and in the locked position. I picked this lock open using a Peterson Postal hook pick. I initially began picking this lock with a tension tool inserted through the rear of the plug, believing that the lock contained a bolt behind the lever tumbler stack. I quickly discovered that this lock contained no such component, just four lever tumblers. Most lever tumbler padlocks will have a recognizable gap behind the lever tumbler stack when there is a bolt that must be displaced before the locking bolt can displace, allowing the hasp to open. This lock contains a separate pivoting bolt that engages the hasp. The lever tumblers are not clawed to the hasp in the locked position. The bolt cannot be forced tripped, and will only lock when the hasp is closed. In a way, this padlock is really no different than a push key padlock. Therefore, the lock may picked easier with the aid of light hasp tension. I was able to quickly decode the lever tumblers while the hasp was open using L-wires as gap gauges. There was absolutely no need to impression this lock. The L-wire approach is far easier. I noticed that some of the lever tumblers have a limiting edge at the 3 O'clock position. This was an indicator that a working key will open the lock when the key is turned to the 3 O'clock position. Most padlocks have lever tumbler stops at the 11 and 12 O'clock position.



The working key was made from spring steel plating. The geometry of the key was made using a scribe, straight edge, oval template and a dial caliper. The key was cut out with a 4 1/2 inch, hand held grinder. Even the bits on the key were cut using a small grinding disk, all free handed. The key works perfectly and the lock has a wonderful crisp spring to the hasp.

[Lauren]

Earlier this month, Ebay upset a lot potential buyers and sellers with a glitch that prevented additional bids and locked in existing bids without competition, while the site was experiencing maintenance issues. This glitch allowed me to win this Mallory and Wheeler padlock at a dream of a price and is in near mint condition. The lock works like it was just made yesterday. Thank you Ebay glitch and perhaps this would teach those who would bid in the last 3 seconds. Power outages sometimes happen too.

This padlock is a simple lever construction with both top and bottom raised ward collars. This lock has no lever tumblers. The key makes contact with the bolt at the 11 O'clock position, retracting it fully at the 2 O'clock position, allowing the key to make its 360 degree journey. This key has no cuts in the blade area indicating an earlier technology and therefore, perhaps a much older lock. Underneath the tip of the hasp is a wire-like scissor spring that allows the hasp to spring upward once the bolt is retracted by the key. Mallory and Wheeler were known primarily for their smoke house locks.


Mallory Wheeler Company, bronze cast, stamped "6".

[billdeserthills]

I'm surprised they didn't put any lever tumblers in that padlock, seems like they cheated somehow.
Certainly is in great condition, as you said.

[Lauren]

I felt the same way. I was expecting tumblers, which is why I thought the lock is on the old side. I picked this lock using a Z-wire. But then again, the WB locks weren't much different. WB instead used a ward plate next to the bolt and complex keyhole patterns.

[serrurier]

Good day,

Wow what a wealth of information in this thread. Thank you for keeping this together and putting so many nice pictures. I am still amazed as to how many nice locks were made throughout history. I got to start reading a bit more on the past locks and practices it will help me a lot and that is beside the fact that it is quite entertaining.

Nicely done and good luck

[hag3l3]

Very nice. Like the keys.

[Lauren]

Here's my final farewell to this thread. It's been fun....

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/ ... 1a72689b70

[Squelchtone]

Here's my final farewell to this thread. It's been fun....

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/invited/ ... 1a72689b70

Congratulations Lauren, that's great news! I wish you much success with the book, and we'll miss your updates to this thread.

Thank you for sharing your work with us along the way,
Squelchtone

[GWiens2001]

What!!! You are abandoning my favorite thread?

I mean yeah, have ordered your book and all, but love this thread!

Either way it goes, appreciate your contributions in this thread. Have really enjoyed seeing your work here.

Gordon

[MrWizard]

Lauren

Oh No tell me it's not true!

This thread is what brought me to this forum.
Always a treat to see what new locks you get.
Appreciate all you have contributed it is very inspiring.
Sure will miss seeing your frequent updates.

Your book looks really good wish you great success with it.
Hope after a break you might change your mind stop back by and drop a new lock on the thread.

Good luck
Richard

[paces]

nice set. thanks for sharing

[WeenMang]

Well done! I have some old Adlake locks from the Santa Fe railroad that could use a few keys like these! How did you make these by chance?

[billdeserthills]

Well done! I have some old Adlake locks from the Santa Fe railroad that could use a few keys like these! How did you make these by chance?

I know a padlock collector who makes his own keys from a piece of bar brass. He drills the right size hole in the end and
then grinds the rest off until it looks like a key. He used to send me the blank he had made along with the padlock and
I would make the key for him.

Or I guess you could buy Lauren's tell all book!!