Recommended Books for Servicing Mortise Lock Assemblies

[GWiens2001]

Am wondering if anybody can recommend any good books or manuals for service and repair of modern mortise lock assemblies. Guess I should also ask the same for closers, crash bars and other related items. I want to expand my knowledge.

Have fixed a number of mortise lock assemblies before, but the modern ones are a real pain, especially reassembling them without the spring tension popping things out of position. Did one last night, and thought I should ask the professionals.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

Hey GW,

Not sure if this is in the ballpark of the kind of info you seek but what about manufacturer parts manuals or installation manuals?

I have a feeling you're looking for tricks of the trade and repair/troubleshooting procedures or maybe something like a service manual?

Here's a Corbin mortise lock parts manual I dug up
https://www.corbinrusswin.com/en/librar ... ise-locks/

And here's a Schlage L series service manual which looks more like a bunch of exploded parts diagrams

https://us.allegion.com/content/dam/all ... 106500.pdf

[Publius]

Hi Gordon -- others may chime in with more recommendations, but a few books on my shelf that might fit the bill would be, "The National Locksmith Guide to Interchangeable Core Cylinder Service" by Robert Sieveking; "Servicing Lever Handle Cylindrical Locks" by J.I. Levine; "Total Door Service and Repair" by Jake Jakubuwski; and "Aluminum Stile Door Service and Repair" by the same author. Pretty sure all are recent enough to still be in print.

[Evan]

Hey GW,

Not sure if this is in the ballpark of the kind of info you seek but what about manufacturer parts manuals or installation manuals?

I have a feeling you're looking for tricks of the trade and repair/troubleshooting procedures or maybe something like a service manual?

Here's a Corbin mortise lock parts manual I dug up
https://www.corbinrusswin.com/en/librar ... ise-locks/

And here's a Schlage L series service manual which looks more like a bunch of exploded parts diagrams

https://us.allegion.com/content/dam/all ... 106500.pdf

+1 on Squelchtone's advice. This is what I do when I am doing a repair on something at work.

Sometimes it is just tricky to identify the lock in question to be able to look up the exploded parts diagram or install manual.

One thing I never understood is why anyone installing a rim mounted exit device in a school would ever think that three #10 self tapping screws would ever permanently attach a latch keeper to a metal door frame. I spend more of my time repairing locks drilling and tapping holes for 1/4-20 machine screws to "fix" things that have "stopped" closing correctly because bored children spend time yanking on the handles of closed and locked doors.

~~ Evan

[GWiens2001]

The service manuals for individual lock assemblies are ideal, but as Evan said, identifying the mortise assembly can be difficult.

I did find a good tip on a YT video. Use a block of wood, and use screws to hold through the spindle holes to hold those two in place. That way the springs don't make the parts pop all out of place while you are trying to either remove or install the cover.

Gordon

[Safecrackin Sammy]

Just did one of these yesterday afternoon... Yale 7130 mortise exit device early 1990's vintage. Spring died for the lock cam toggle so it wouldnt lock/unlock from the cylinder. I didnt even bother taking it apart... Just ordered a new mortise case and scalp.

IMHO there is no point in taking a case apart anymore short of a desperate temporary fix. Most cases can be re-handed and function changed without opening the case. If there is a broken part inside most companies dont even sell them and if they do you have to buy 50 for the one time fix. Plus replacing the assembly gives you something you can stand behind and warranty.

Most companies have their catalogs on line now so thats really the best place to look. I used to save catalogs for years but parts change and you cant get the old stuff so the old catalogs have no value anymore.

[billdeserthills]

Sounds like what you need Gordon is a fixture for holding the mortise lock together, as you described with a block of wood. I have one made from a piece of wood that was sent to me in the long ago, by Baldwin. I also have an adjustable fixture that will fit most of the other mortise lock makes out there. Even using a fixture there is usually only one spring that will always try to escape but once you know about it, it's easy to restrain.

The reason I disassemble Mortise locks isn't to change out parts but in order to clean & grease these locks, which are often gummed up inside after baking in the heat for years, if not decades

While it can be tough to id some mortise locks, it only matters in the case a replacement is needed, as most parts are unavailable anyhow

[GWiens2001]

Sounds like what you need Gordon is a fixture for holding the mortise lock together, as you described with a block of wood. I have one made from a piece of wood that was sent to me in the long ago, by Baldwin. I also have an adjustable fixture that will fit most of the other mortise lock makes out there. Even using a fixture there is usually only one spring that will always try to escape but once you know about it, it's easy to restrain.

The reason I disassemble Mortise locks isn't to change out parts but in order to clean & grease these locks, which are often gummed up inside after baking in the heat for years, if not decades

While it can be tough to id some mortise locks, it only matters in the case a replacement is needed, as most parts are unavailable anyhow

Bill, I also open them for maintenance. We both live in the deserts of Arizona, and a dark door facing the sun all day really does get baked.

Any chance of a picture of the adjustable mortise jig? Or a make/model if available?

I have had three mortise assemblies brought to me by either do-it-yourself owners or locksmiths who took them apart and can’t figure out how to reassemble the assembly. For those of you who like 3D puzzles, have someone take apart one with all the features and put the pieces in a box for you to reassemble, along with the comment “I think I have all the pieces”.

Thanks guys for the advise!

Gordon

[Jacob Morgan]

If you needed to service vintage mortise locks, the best book out there would be Complete Course In Professional Locksmithing by Robert Robinson, Published by Nelson-Hall in 1973. ISBN 0-911012-15-X. It has a write-up here: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64356

It has about 50 pages on mortise locks, but it was published going on 50 years ago (albeit that makes it only slightly more out of date than the material in Phillip's current books). Unless prices have come down recently, used copies of this book are pricey for no apparent reason.

[GWiens2001]

If you needed to service vintage mortise locks, the best book out there would be Complete Course In Professional Locksmithing by Robert Robinson, Published by Nelson-Hall in 1973. ISBN 0-911012-15-X. It has a write-up here: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64356

It has about 50 pages on mortise locks, but it was published going on 50 years ago (albeit that makes it only slightly more out of date than the material in Phillip's current books). Unless prices have come down recently, used copies of this book are pricey for no apparent reason.

Thank you for the recommendation. I have seen the book for sale online before, and know what you mean about the prices being artificially high. Luckily, at your recommendation I took another look, and saw a copy that came up on eBay today Buy It Now for $36, about a hundred dollars less than the other listings. I jumped at the chance and bought the copy.

I hear that the latest Phillips books have a section on pin tumbler locks! Really moving into the modern locks, now!

Gordon

[cledry]

Reminds me many years ago when we hired this guy from NYC. Claimed he knew all about things like mortise locks. So about 3 PM we sent him to rekey one in a building that we maintained all the locks in. A simple job, conventional large plug diameter Russwin mortise cylinder. About 4:45 we get a call, he can't get the lock back together. I rush over because my boss didn't pay overtime, ever. Arrived to find a mortise lock case opened up, and every single part laid out in front of him on the customer's carpeted floor! I had to pull another lock apart to figure out where all the bits and pieces went. I was so angry I didn't even ask why he took the mortise body out of the door and took it apart.

The hot shot NYC locksmith didn't last long.

I have taken so many mortise locks apart over the years that I don't even think twice about tackling them now. Digital phones are great, something we didn't have back in the day. Now I am the sort to replace for commercial accounts when possible, offering a warranty is more important. A new body for most isn't much more than the labor rate to disassemble one and put it back together, let alone making a spring that isn't tempered after bending.

If you ever need a part made though, Accurate Lock & Hardware are your guys. They can make anything lock related. Also if you run accross a really fancy home and see no names on the hardware, they either made it or will identify it for you.

[billdeserthills]

I have run into problems with Accurate Lock hardware in the past. They make many different mortise locks and even have a replacement for Bouvet mortise locks but the parts they use inside their mortise locks bend easily, just as the Bouvet mortise locks do.

I won't even disassemble a Bouvet lock anymore, they are full of extra parts that most mortise style locks do not contain & all those extra parts really complicate the working of the lock, especially after the cheap lithium-based grease used by the factory turns into a thick paste-like substance & begins jamming them up


https://bouvet.com/en/c/54

[cledry]

Accurate will make to your specs. If you want stainless to replace brass just ask.

I have run into problems with Accurate Lock hardware in the past. They make many different mortise locks and even have a replacement for Bouvet mortise locks but the parts they use inside their mortise locks bend easily, just as the Bouvet mortise locks do.

I won't even disassemble a Bouvet lock anymore, they are full of extra parts that most mortise style locks do not contain & all those extra parts really complicate the working of the lock, especially after the cheap lithium-based grease used by the factory turns into a thick paste-like substance & begins jamming them up


https://bouvet.com/en/c/54

[billdeserthills]

Accurate will make to your specs. If you want stainless to replace brass just ask.

I have run into problems with Accurate Lock hardware in the past. They make many different mortise locks and even have a replacement for Bouvet mortise locks but the parts they use inside their mortise locks bend easily, just as the Bouvet mortise locks do.

I won't even disassemble a Bouvet lock anymore, they are full of extra parts that most mortise style locks do not contain & all those extra parts really complicate the working of the lock, especially after the cheap lithium-based grease used by the factory turns into a thick paste-like substance & begins jamming them up


https://bouvet.com/en/c/54

I've worked on several Accurate mortise locks, the parts inside are weaker than the better mortise locks like Baldwin-- you can feel them flexing when operating the lock, much like the Bouvet. I actually have an new Accurate mortise lock out in my van, it's for the double pitcher handle mount. Been carrying it around for a couple of decades now--price on it keeps going up

[GWiens2001]

If you needed to service vintage mortise locks, the best book out there would be Complete Course In Professional Locksmithing by Robert Robinson, Published by Nelson-Hall in 1973. ISBN 0-911012-15-X. It has a write-up here: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=64356

It has about 50 pages on mortise locks, but it was published going on 50 years ago (albeit that makes it only slightly more out of date than the material in Phillip's current books). Unless prices have come down recently, used copies of this book are pricey for no apparent reason.

I received the book Complete Course In Professional Locksmithing by Robert Robinson a couple of days ago. The first chapters are on mortise lock assemblies, and it is exactly the kind of information I was hoping to find.

Thank you!

Gordon