Lockwood "Master Locksmith" -- Any Aussies who can help?

[gumptrick]

I had a friend in Australia send me a couple of Lockwood padlocks last week. They are great locks; very high standard of quality. One of them has some very boring and easy-to-pick bitting so I was thinking about swapping out the core for something more interesting, ideally one of the Lockwood "Master Locksmith" keyways, or a V7. However I've found very little information about them. Even visiting the official Lockwood website & doing a bunch of forum searches had no information about their availability. Any Aussie members know any locksmiths or lock shops that could help me buy a core?

[RumballSolutions]

Both are defunct restricted systems. You will not have much luck with locksmiths or lock shops. Try usual used core trading/sales places like forums and eBay.

You are searching for "Lockwood V7" or "MLAA" (Commonly J series).

Not knowing what padlocks you have, I can't tell you what core/cylinder style you will need.

[adi_picker]

As Rumball mentioned above, 'Master Locksmith" and Lockwood are two different things. Both offer their own restricted series of plugs with matching keys, with the MLAA stuff obviously being an independent product produced by a third party to suit Lockwood products.

Neither company show details of their profiles, much like Medeco, but there are details about current systems on the web. For the MLAA systems take a look here. For the current Lockwood systems, look here.

Both of the above will have to be purchased through an accredited Locksmith, but I have quite a few old restricted plugs laying around, and can probably find you something you will like. This is a good example. The first plug in my post, the LT, is part of the Status 6 system from Lockwood, which is older (Copyright 1989 IIRC!), but still available. Certainly a challenge, and something I could send you if you like. As Rumball also mentioned, you will need to post some details for us to see what you have, and hence determine what type of plug you will require.

EDIT :
Some examples of different restricted systems to suit Lockwood padlocks from AUS suppliers, all from my personal photos.
MLAA JB Profile - From J Series
Key to suit above
Lockwood BF Profile - From Lockwood 'Second 12' Series
Lockwood / MLAA MLV Profile - From V7 Series
Close up of above
MLAA BPC Profile - From Binary Plus Series
Close up of above profile
MLAA BPA Profile - From Binary Plus Series
Lockwood OS Profile - From Status 6 Series
Lockwood SLC Profile - From Status 6 Series
MLAA JA Profile - From J Series

adi_picker

[gumptrick]

Thanks for the replies Rumball and adi!

I clearly have a lot to learn about these. I was confused at first because I've seen several people in the picking community refer to the MLA being some kind of product line made by Lockwood but it seems that is in error and they are clearly two totally separate entities. That explains why I wasn't getting very far with my searches.

Anyway, here are the locks I have. I'm going to keep one of them as-is, but I'd like to change up the other. Any thoughts on a good challenging plug that could be compatible here?

[GWiens2001]

Get an Abloy Protec KIK cylinder to put in there. That ought to provide a challenge.

There are many challenging cores you can put in there, though some may require a little fitting on your part to make them work. You can also put in security pins.

Gordon

[adi_picker]

Goodmorning gumptrick,

Its always a pleasure to help with something I have a little knowledge of Gordon is correct here, the 334 is a great lock, and is compatible with a heckuva lot of systems, including in the ultra high security class, the Abloy Protec, Lockwood MT5+ (which is the Lockwood branded Mul T Lock MT5+), and BiLock. I do have BiLock cores here that I can send you to suit, but it would probably be sans key due to rarity. In the medium security you could fit pretty much any restricted inline 6 profile, including anything from the Lockwood Generation 6, Status 6, First 12 and Second 12 systems, Lockwood Twin, anything from the MLAA, the ALC Galaxy, and the ALC Series 6. All of these systems have very original names.. 6 pins anyone?

My personal choice would be the Lockwood Twin. This is the Lockwood branded ASSA Twin, similar to an 1800, with 6 standard pins, and 3 sidebar pins, with a few false gates. You can see a breakdown of this lock where I 'dakked it' here. This is another one that I have that I could send to you, and I may be able to provide keys to suit this one. These are a lot of fun, and a good step between regular cylinders and higher security stuff, especially if you want to pick other ASSA Twins. Another sans key I could provide would be a V7 core, which are cool, but not as cool as the Twin, IMO.

Hope this helps,

adi_picker

[adi_picker]

Taking a look through the pile, I could also send you an LS profile Status6, keyed, something from the First 12 range, like this, keyed, an ANZLA profile (Australia New Zealand Locksmiths Assoc, another association profile), keyed, an Ilco IP1 (Restricted), or a Lockwood Generation 6 profile, keyed.

Looks like you have a decision to make

adi_picker

[GWiens2001]

Wish I could locate a Galaxy dealer so I can order one with a key for my collection.

Gordon

[gumptrick]

Thanks again guys.

I figure that since the Lockwood is an Australian lock then I'm going to go with an Aussie plug. I've already got a bilock so that's out. I *am* interested in working my way up to the Assa Twins, but those aren't hard to get here in the states. I'm thinking of something with a bizzare keyway or interesting design like the V7. adi, you gave me quite a list of locks to check out there so I've got some studying up to do!

[peterwn]

The first plug in my post, the LT, is part of the Status 6 system from Lockwood, which is older (Copyright 1989 IIRC!), but still available. Certainly a challenge, and something I could send you if you like. As Rumball also mentioned, you will need to post some details for us to see what you have, and hence determine what type of plug you will require.

EDIT :
Some examples of different restricted systems to suit Lockwood padlocks from AUS suppliers, all from my personal photos.

Lockwood BF Profile - From Lockwood 'Second 12' Series

adi_picker

Few points here. The 'BF' profile looks like one of Lockwood's original masterkey profiles from the 1960's. There were theoretically 15 profiles in the set but some were reserved for particular purposes (eg 'BD' was reserved within New Zealand for one specific customer). Generally only one profile was used within any system unless it was an extensive GMK system or Maison keying was required.

These profiles were protected by 'Registered Designs' (like USA Design Patents). When the 'Registered Design' expired some after market blank manufacturers like Silca moved in (since some of the profiles were widely used ) and Lockwood tried to extend protection by claiming the profiles were covered by copyright but the Australian courts refused to accept this even though Government agencies and other important users had locks with these profiles. Thanks to this my employer at the time had stock going missing as someone had a stray key cut on one of these blanks and we had to use BiLock for critical doors.

So manufacturers cannot rely on copyright law to protect profiles at least in Australia.

[Noctis]

Galaxy dealer? Try Omega Security Controls (03) 9689 3488. Cameron Macmillan is the GM.
You might also try Hildebrandt (02) 9212 5211 or Bells (02) 9357 2333.

[greengrowlocks]

Galaxy dealer? Try Omega Security Controls (03) 9689 3488. Cameron Macmillan is the GM.
You might also try Hildebrandt (02) 9212 5211 or Bells (02) 9357 2333.

Would they ship to the US? I'd be interested in one too if they did.

[globallockytoo]

try sydney city locksmiths. they are a thorn in the side of many aussie product sellers. They sell just about anything to anywhere and often for less than cost price. Dont know how they manage to stay in business, but they are pissing off many retailers the world over, with their unrealistic pricing,

My online sales of Aussie lock products have virtually ground to zero since they started undercutting everyone with bulls*** prices.

I know of about 15 distributors in Oz that are reeling as a result.

You can find them on ebay

I was at the Lockwood factory in May and the sales manager told me that they cannot control who sells there products and for what pricing.
And this sydney city locksmiths are paying more wholesale than many of us other sellers, yet still undercutting our prices by up to 70%