My First BRAMAH-ish Lock

[femurat]

I've always wanted a BRAMAH but never had an excuse to buy one.
Now I'm thinking to build a small wooden jewelry box for my girlfriend, and give her its key to wear as a necklace.
So I saw this lock for sale on a popular UK auctions site, and bought it.







After a few weeks I got it and was very excited. The lock is missing the key so I need one. First of all I disassembled it and took some pictures and measurements. The keyhole is 5 mm in diameter, the key stem may be long 3 mm, the hole in the key stem should be 2 mm in diameter. All the 4 sliders are working, on the first one there's a bit of wear where it contacts the key. The spring is nice and strong. I think finding a key is quite difficult, so I need to make one. I just need some brass, a couple needle files and some time. Hope to update the thread soon.













Any info about the lock age and model?

Cheers

EDIT: I was told by three different people that this is a Bramah replica!

[GWiens2001]

Just because it is a replica does not mean that it would not make a great lock for a custom made jewelry box for your lady. If you make one, we want pics!

Gordon

[femurat]

Yep Gordon, that's the spirit. I'll make the box and key anyway. She's not into locks so the lock brand won't affect the present value in her eyes. It does in mine tho.

Here is the first prototype key I made yesterday evening. I cut a piece of brass and soldered to a tube and sanded the solder excess on the sides. I filed the flag down to size and tested with the disassembled lock. Then filed the four slots in the tube.
The key works but needs some tinkering. I think I have to check which slot needs a couple file strokes to work smoothly.
Once the prototype works flawlessly I'll make one with a thicker tube: this one is half a mm thick, I need one at least 4 times thicker. I may end up drilling a 2 mm hole just on the tip of a rod.

Sorry for the blurry pictures but I have to use the old phone since the new one is broken.





Cheers

[mhole]

Why replica? Every chance that's a genuine Bramah - they made custom locks for all applications anf that looks very much like older Bramahs I've had apart. Nice lock either way!

[femurat]

I've been told by reputable people, including a person that works for or represents Bramah, that this is not genuine. I wish this was genuine but I'm almost sure it isn't.

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

Either way, it is a great find, and fun.

Gordon

[averagejoe]

Why replica? Every chance that's a genuine Bramah - they made custom locks for all applications anf that looks very much like older Bramahs I've had apart. Nice lock either way!

A ton of companies ripped off the Bramah design and would put Bramah somewhere on the lock to deceive people. On the inside of the lock case which would be hidden you can see the companies logo sideways diamond) so they can "prove" that they were "trying" to rip off people.

Then there is the fact that there is 4 sliders unevenly spaced. On a genuine Bramah they would be evenly spaced. I have a couple of book/ledger locks that were made by the same company as well as a genuine mid 1800s Bramah.

[kwoswalt99-]

Almost done with my key. http://imgur.com/g0hD4Fb
How is yours coming along?

[femurat]

The brass key I made worked, but needed to be rotated back and forth sometimes because one groove was off a little. While I was trying to fine tune it, the key flag broke.
Now it works like a charm, but I have to keep it pushed in. Maybe the flag I made needed to be filed a hair on the key-tip side.



I decided to make it out of steel and, to make it stronger, I made a slot to accommodate the flag before soldering it. I first tried to use a brass rod as solder but the flame I have was not able to melt it.
It was able to burs the steel since it changed color.
Then I tried to use stain but I couldn't find borax. I tried without it, but the melted solder went everywhere except the hole I aimed for.

Looks like soldering is not my top skill. I'm a bit disappointed.
I'll look for a standard key and file it to size, at least I'm quite good at filing.

Cheers

[kwoswalt99-]

I don't think you can solder steel. I've tried many times, and it flows everywhere but where you want it. Instead of a brass rod, if you had a hot enough flame, you should use fluxed bronze brazing rods. Silver soldering would also work for making keys. My key bow is press fit with a pin through it.

[femurat]

By looking at your key picture I thought it was soldered. I'll keep it in mind when I have to make the bow.

I may end up using an arc welder.

Cheers

[jbrint]

You can pick up an oxy-acetylene torch and some brazing rods pretty cheap. I have put together many bike pieces like this and it works like a charm. Im not sure where you are from if the gas is easy to get but with properly cleaned and joined pieces the bond is incredible. If you can solder effectively brazing is more or less the same thing on a bigger scale.

[GWiens2001]

You can pick up an oxy-acetylene torch and some brazing rods pretty cheap. I have put together many bike pieces like this and it works like a charm. Im not sure where you are from if the gas is easy to get but with properly cleaned and joined pieces the bond is incredible. If you can solder effectively brazing is more or less the same thing on a bigger scale.

He is from Italy. Ask him about proper linguistics and phrases for bad drivers in Italy! I hear it can be quite colorful and enlightening.

Gordon

[femurat]

jbrint, I have the torch with two tanks somewhere. One is oxygen and the other one I forgot, it may be acetylene or something else. Anyway I'm sure it's hot enough to melt everything. The problem is both the torch and the arc welder are stored in the basement of another house, not mine. I'll prepare the rods and flags and go there to try and weld or braze them. I'll keep you updated on my (slow) progress.

Gordon, don't get me started on that subject...

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

Gordon, don't get me started on that subject...

Cheers

Gordon