I'm new to the forum and I've been learning a lot reading through the FAQs. I'm trying to get a better understanding of the inner workings for a lock. I got a cutaway to help visualize, but since the lock itself is not clear/see-through, I'm puzzled on a few things. 1) Keyways: is the only function of the keyway to limit which key can fit into the actual lock? I guess I'm trying to ask, is there anything INSIDE the lock that corresponds to the keyway, or is it more if I'm looking outside at the lock and I see the keyway- the key just needs to fit in there and then that's it.
2) I'm working with some of the basic Schlage keys (not Primus). The two bottom side grooves (one on each side), it looks like they catch on something in the lock? Is this just to basically stabilize the key? Let's say I put cement or something to fill the grooves, would the key still work?
Take a lock apart to learn how it works, just making assumptions by looking at the face of it is not going to teach you much. get a deadbolt for $15 bucks at walmart or home depot, Brinks or Defiant, either will be great for learning the insides of a lock.
The broaching process that is done to give a plug a specific keyway, machines the metal all the way through, it isn't just on the face of the lock and then it opens up to an empty chamber or something like that.
Without photos I cant be sure what you mean about filling some sort of grooves.. if you fill anything then the key wont be able to be inserted. Note that for a first post and asking about glue on keys or locks, it's going to raise some eyebrows with members here, it's an unusual question.
upload photos to imgur, tinypic, or photobucket, then copy/paste the URLs here, and annotate them somehow so we know which parts you are asking about. You mention some grooves on your Schlage key, sounds to me like an Everest key, is it stamped C123 or C145 by any chance? can you post photo of the key or these grooves?
Sorry, I didn't mean to ask an unusual question. It was a hypothetical question- as in, are the grooves needed or mainly there to stabilize the key. That's why I was asking if we take away the groove (by plugging it somehow) would the key still function, just maybe not as stable. Sorry again. It's a Schlage SC-1 (http://www.clksupplies.com/shop/sc1-114 ... -p-81.html has a picture of the groove) I would think the groove's function is the catch onto something within the lock.
Thanks for the info for the keyway- that makes sense! I'll be sure to take a lock apart, right now I was focused on the cutaways to get a sense for the workings of pins- but then that got me wondering about the rest of the lock, so I came to here. Thanks for the info, really appreciate it.
Each brand has their own keyway shape and warding, sometimes for patent and key duplication restriction reasons, sometimes for brand identity, sometimes to make picking more difficult. The wards coming into the keyway from the left and right also give the key pins a nice shelf to stop on so the lock doesn't dump out all its guts when there is no key inserted. The keys are milled with those channels to get past the wards sticking into the keyway from left and right sides.
ABUS had a cool keyway a few years ago, it was the word ABUS sideways milled into the keyway, you could actually read A B U S if you looked down the keyhole sideways, it made for a really gnarly keyway to get your picks into. I can take a photo later today if anyone wants to see it.
Squelchtone wrote:Each brand has their own keyway shape and warding, sometimes for patent and key duplication restriction reasons, sometimes for brand identity, sometimes to make picking more difficult. The wards coming into the keyway from the left and right also give the key pins a nice shelf to stop on so the lock doesn't dump out all its guts when there is no key inserted. The keys are milled with those channels to get past the wards sticking into the keyway from left and right sides.
ABUS had a cool keyway a few years ago, it was the word ABUS sideways milled into the keyway, you could actually read A B U S if you looked down the keyhole sideways, it made for a really gnarly keyway to get your picks into. I can take a photo later today if anyone wants to see it.
Squelchtone
I ran an image search of this with no dice. Do post if you don't mind.
Remember: Pick something every day, no matter how small and insignificant it may be…it helps maintain proficiency.”
Squelchtone wrote:ABUS had a cool keyway a few years ago, it was the word ABUS sideways milled into the keyway, you could actually read A B U S if you looked down the keyhole sideways, it made for a really gnarly keyway to get your picks into. I can take a photo later today if anyone wants to see it.
Squelchtone
I ran an image search of this with no dice. Do post if you don't mind.
there's a photo in this old thread, I'll see if the lock I have shows it even better viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16808
