Furniture locks

[ANTHONY]

Hello,

Could anybody let me know how to pick these furniture locks there the simply brass ones from Britain.

[toomush2drink]

I think we would need a few more details than that, think of it like making your dinner and me asking how do i make it ? If we dont know what it is how can we proceed ? If you can try to describe the keyway/hole, is it old or new ?does it have a pin in the middle ? What type of furniture is it fitted too etc.

Im sure we could help with this sort of info

[salzi684]

Pictures are nice too.

[DeadlyHunter]

I would love to help, but I am not sure what locks you are exactly talking about.

[mcm757207]

Locks found on dressers and such are usually warded locks or simple two lever locks, search the forum.

[oldlock]

Depends on the age, simple ones with big keyholes can be dealt with by using a couple of wire picks - but tighter keyhole with a pin will require a 2 in 1, also you may come across nasties on antique furniture, bramah's chubb detectors etc ...

Paul

[skold]

but tighter keyhole with a pin

how do you mean? like with the pin that fits into the key, if so i have managed to pick a 2 lever with 2 wire picks, it was fairly restrictive and hard to get the torque tool to the notch in the bar.

[oldlock]

Some terminology.

Pipe key - the lock has a pin upon which the key revolves (as such the key has a hole in the shaft) - These can be more of a problem to pick as the pin blocks off access into the keyhole, the better the quality the less room to get tools into the keylock.

Pin key - the lock has a hole in which the key revolves (as such the key is solid) - Although the keyhole is more open these locks are (usually) better quality with more levers etc as such may be a problem to pick.

As far as antique locks go, you can find both types by makers such as Chubb etc which you really don't want to try to pick

Paul

[Varjeal]

Actually I believe the correct terms are BIT & BARREL key (per Ilco Key catalog terminology)

[oldlock]

Both types are BIT keys - you probably have the US terms for them, the pin & pipe key terms (English terms) probably pre-date the establishment of the colonies

[Varjeal]

Hmmm..could be I guess...never heard the terms you mentioned until this very time though...oh well...