trouble with an American 700

[mackai]

when I bought an American 700 with the key in it, I tested the key and it opened the lock but not wanting to lose the key I left it in the lock. When I got home I discovered that the key won't come out. I opened the shackle and removed the screw but the key is in the way and the retaining plate won't come out.

I bought the lock to pick, so cutting the bow off the key to get the plate off won't hurt me any.

Here's the question. Why won't the key come out and how do I fix it?

[GWiens2001]

Probably key retaining. Close the shackle, and the key should be able to be turned and removed.

This is assuming that the key does not turn right now. Is that correct?

Gordon

[mackai]

It turns and opens the lock, and when I push the shackle in it locks and the key appears to turn fully (till it hits the stops on the retaining plate) back to the un-locked position but won't come out.

[mackai]

OK so, as I read my last reply something that I had typed jumped out at me. When I locked the shackle the key would turn back to the locked position and touched the stops on the retaining plate. Made me think.

So I un-did the screw and pulled the retaining plate up as much as it would go and used a thin Allen wrench to hold the top of the cylinder over to the right and the key turned enough to come out. So now I have the cylinder out. And I have an idea of what is wrong: The entire cylinder is turning too much to the left and the key hits the stops before turning fully to release the key. Maybe a small piece of ducktape on the wall of the cavity will solve the problem. I wouldn't want to put it "in service" that way but for my needs.....

[DaWolfMan]

Hello,

Is this a "REAL" American lock, or is this a "CLONE" American lock? I am asking because if it is a clone maybe there is a tolerance issue that is allowing the core to not sit properly inside the lock which is why the key did not return to the correct position to remove the key. Instead of a piece of tape acting as a shim on the core you could use a file to remove a little material from the guard covering the core thus allowing you to fully rotate the key back to the locked position and remove the key.

DaWolfMan

[mackai]

Hello,

Is this a "REAL" American lock, or is this a "CLONE" American lock? I am asking because if it is a clone maybe there is a tolerance issue that is allowing the core to not sit properly inside the lock which is why the key did not return to the correct position to remove the key. Instead of a piece of tape acting as a shim on the core you could use a file to remove a little material from the guard covering the core thus allowing you to fully rotate the key back to the locked position and remove the key.

DaWolfMan

It says AMERICAN LOCK and it looks and feels like the real deal compared to others I've had.
when I get home I'll look at you're idea for a fix. Thanks for your input DaWolfman, and for being a sounding board GWiens2001 .

[GWiens2001]

Hello,

Is this a "REAL" American lock, or is this a "CLONE" American lock? I am asking because if it is a clone maybe there is a tolerance issue that is allowing the core to not sit properly inside the lock which is why the key did not return to the correct position to remove the key. Instead of a piece of tape acting as a shim on the core you could use a file to remove a little material from the guard covering the core thus allowing you to fully rotate the key back to the locked position and remove the key.

DaWolfMan

It says AMERICAN LOCK and it looks and feels like the real deal compared to others I've had.
when I get home I'll look at you're idea for a fix. Thanks for your input DaWolfman, and for being a sounding board GWiens2001 .

We like helping each others here. Glad you decided to visit again, and got the problem figured out, too.

Gordon

[DaWolfMan]

Hello,

Is this a "REAL" American lock, or is this a "CLONE" American lock? I am asking because if it is a clone maybe there is a tolerance issue that is allowing the core to not sit properly inside the lock which is why the key did not return to the correct position to remove the key. Instead of a piece of tape acting as a shim on the core you could use a file to remove a little material from the guard covering the core thus allowing you to fully rotate the key back to the locked position and remove the key.

DaWolfMan

It says AMERICAN LOCK and it looks and feels like the real deal compared to others I've had.
when I get home I'll look at you're idea for a fix. Thanks for your input DaWolfman, and for being a sounding board GWiens2001 .

GWiens,

I love things like this, little problems that i have not seen before that need a solution. I hope this helped you with your lock.

DaWolfMan