Need help fixing or installing a lock? We welcome questions from the public here! Sorry, no automotive questions, please.
Forum rules
WE DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE OR MOTORCYCLE LOCKS OR IGNITIONS ON THIS FORUM. THIS INCLUDES QUESTIONS ABOUT PICKING, PROGRAMMING, OR TAKING APART DOOR OR IGNITION LOCKS,
by toolboxted » 11 Nov 2017 14:52
I’m a newbie to this forum, living in the Dayton OH area and have been involved in and collecting of old, pre-1960, wood, machinist tool chests for many years. In this hobby the keys for the front locking panels have been lost in the majority of cases. I’m trying to seek out an old fashioned locksmith to service our hobby that has the books and equipment to produce keys dated back to 1906, based on the lock manufacturer and key number, for cabinet cylinder type and clasp locks. Eagle, Corbin and Yale are the most popular. If you are one or know of an old fashioned locksmith please let me know. Thanks much and have a good one……toolboxted Should you be interested in these chests you can check out my website at - https://sites.google.com/site/theguidef ... istchests/
-
toolboxted
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 11 Nov 2017 12:40
by VashTSPD » 5 Jan 2018 8:56
Would I be wrong to assume someone who collects machinist tool chests has a few tools for fitting metal? If so you can probably make your own keys. There is a lot of information out there on how to make keys for old warded locks. Here's a video of a kid fitting a key to a lock vary similar to yours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhO3ZvRQUYg
-
VashTSPD
-
- Posts: 401
- Joined: 6 Jul 2006 0:35
by Jacob Morgan » 5 Jan 2018 14:13
There are some brick and mortar lock shops in Dayton. It might be affordable even for a large number of locks if you could drop off the locks or boxes for a week or so at a time, so the locksmiths could work on them when not out on calls and such. They might also have the proper key blanks on hand. If you click here https://www.clearstar.com there is a function to search for legit locksmiths by state and there is one in Dayton. If you want to try it yourself, here is a link to a good tutorial on this site: https://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=62259 , the part on lever tumbler locks would be of most interest.
-
Jacob Morgan
- Supporter

-
- Posts: 571
- Joined: 30 Dec 2015 21:31
- Location: KY (north west)
by cledry » 5 Jan 2018 22:59
I might be able to help, let me know what you need in a PM.
Jim
-

cledry
-
- Posts: 2836
- Joined: 7 Mar 2009 23:29
- Location: Orlando
-
by billdeserthills » 6 Jan 2018 19:05
cledry wrote:I might be able to help, let me know what you need in a PM.
I pm'ed the guy, but his message is from nov last year
-
billdeserthills
-
- Posts: 3827
- Joined: 19 Mar 2014 21:11
- Location: Arizona
by toolboxted » 9 Jan 2018 16:37
Thanks for the responses. Beings that there are apparently no old time locksmiths out there any more, I’m looking in to the challenge to see if I could become a code key cutter, not a locksmith. I could use another hobby to help fill these retirement years. Right now I know basically nothing about it, but I have a very mechanical mind and look forward to learning from the bottom up. In an effort to use the ‘kiss’ principle (keep it simple stupid) I believe I should start with Eagle flat keys only, they are the most needed for machinist tool chests anyway. The first problem appears to be - How in the heck do you define 50 to 100 year old key codes? I haven’t found any source, yet. I thought there must be old code book copies available from the shops that have shut their doors, but. (I can use calipers and mic’s). Any comments? The second concern is – Flat key cutting machine models for cutting from codes. I think I would prefer using an older model from the 1940’s to 1950’s. Any suggestions? Here are 3 Eagle flat key codes from some of my chests that are 100 yrs. old - 70A3; 3YQ7; 4R11. Thanks much. Maybe the ‘kiss’ principle doesn’t work in this industry…….Ted
-
toolboxted
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 11 Nov 2017 12:40
by Jacob Morgan » 9 Jan 2018 21:15
Cledry and Bill are both experienced locksmiths--sounded like they were interested (mail them some of the locks)? If they can't find a code, bet they could impression them or otherwise make keys.
-
Jacob Morgan
- Supporter

-
- Posts: 571
- Joined: 30 Dec 2015 21:31
- Location: KY (north west)
by cledry » 10 Jan 2018 7:00
The codes didn't show up in my books, fiche or computer. The best bet would be to join a lock collectors forum or website. They often have members who have decoded existing keys, and also have sources for discontinued blanks. Eagle is one of the more popular old lock companies among collectors.
Jim
-

cledry
-
- Posts: 2836
- Joined: 7 Mar 2009 23:29
- Location: Orlando
-
by toolboxted » 10 Jan 2018 9:03
I'll give it a try Cledry. Thanks much......Ted
-
toolboxted
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 11 Nov 2017 12:40
by billdeserthills » 10 Jan 2018 18:13
I received an e-mail from Gale Johnson, editor of The Locksmith Ledger be happy to e-mail you a copy, if you pm me your address -- basically Gale says that the collection of codes didn't begin until after the 1920's and even then those codes were largely automobile lock codes, steel key codes are largely for lockers, trunks & mail boxes. Additionally Eagle Lock Co destroyed all their codes upon closing back in the 1970's. This is why few codes exist for these steel keys
The good news is that fitting keys is not terribly difficult, however you do need to have the lock in hand to do that
-
billdeserthills
-
- Posts: 3827
- Joined: 19 Mar 2014 21:11
- Location: Arizona
by toolboxted » 11 Jan 2018 11:40
I’ve sent a PM. Thanks for the explanation. I had thought there would be code books back in the 20’s in all of the Locksmith shops and found it a mystery why they weren’t showing up in Google or Ebay. Oh well, live and learn……Ted
-
toolboxted
-
- Posts: 15
- Joined: 11 Nov 2017 12:40
Return to This Old Lock
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest
|