I thought I would try impessioning. I found a couple keys in my collection that had an extra long shank as a donor to make the key. I'm not a locksmith so I didn't have any blanks. (looking to buy some if your selling) After shaping the end and making the throat notch, I added some color from a marker and started at it. Sure enough I had some marks and started filing notches. I seemed to be gaining ground when it stopped showing new marks on the key. While it was turning part of the way, it was still hanging up. Finally I caved and took the lock apart to see what was going on. Not understanding what was inside the lock was my downfall. I will share my education for other greenhorns and provide cheap entertainment for the experienced locksmiths.
I was turning the key mostly to the right (clockwise) but did try to the left also. To the left gave more movement but the turning to the right gave false readings and caused me to file to much. In this lock it must be turned to the left when in the unlocked position.
All the lock parts already cleaned up.
The bolt of the lock in place. Note how the first tooth on the key moves into it with a left (counter clockwise) rotation. It was easy to see how much to file when fitting the key blank with the inner cylinder.
Next the first lever set in place. Filed a notch until it is raised enough to release the tab on the bolt.
The second lever is added and the notch filed.
The top plate is installed.
The filed key.
And finally, the inner cylinder and lock top are installed with the two screws. Done, brass polished and ready for paint, and I am wiser for the effort.
To file the required notches properly a quality set of needle files is needed. I was fortunate that my uncle gave me a set of new vintage Glardon Vallorbe Swiss files a while back. How I navigated through life without them is a mystery. They are a wonderful tool. Especially the one that has teeth only on the edges, perfect for this key.
