Locksmithing

This topic has 14 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 17 July 2013 at 21:40 by jason udall.

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15 July 2013 at 20:01 #124650
Thomas Gude
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@thomasgude37285
Hello,

My girlfriend came back from Brighton the other day with a vintage '60s leather suitcase (as you do). The keys for the lock are long gone and she reckons her engineer boyfriend can make her some new ones! Quite right too! and I don't think this is a job for the local key cutters. However I think I will ask for some advice here first before endevouring to undertake this task.

photo:

any help appreciated

Thanks

Edited By Thomas Gude on 15/07/2013 20:02:37
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15 July 2013 at 20:01 #22720
Thomas Gude
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@thomasgude37285
Not model engineering related – but chucking it out there for some answers
15 July 2013 at 20:39 #124656
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
Being old enough to remember such suitcases, on cheaper ones (usually cardboard, not leather) the key is usually a simple pressed steel (about 1.5mm thick) affair with a little peg sticking out one side – i.e. it is no more than a simple lever to turn the lock. Some suitcases do have slightly more sophisticated keys, but the thickness of that lock suggests only a single lever.

I threw away a set of suitcase locks and keys of similar type a few months ago…

Neil
15 July 2013 at 22:58 #124665
V8Eng
Participant
@v8eng
If you have some relatives who were about in the 1950s – 60s it might be worth asking them if they have any keys to try.

The wife says (if it's unlocked) are the keys inside in a pocket? Apparently it was not unusual to put spare keys in cases!

Edited By V8Eng on 15/07/2013 23:23:19
15 July 2013 at 23:01 #124666
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
Locks in this era usually followed a limited range of patterns, as other contributors have said, ask around. (If it is locked a careful attempt at picking the lock is not difficult).
16 July 2013 at 06:22 #124668
frank brown
Participant
@frankbrown22225
Start off by using a nail with its point ground off and replaced by a 2mm long right angled bend. It should be easy to open this lock. Some people did it all the time to tuck boxes at School, with school compasses , so I am told.

Frank
16 July 2013 at 08:03 #124672
Geoff Theasby
Participant
@geofftheasby
Frank, I did it all the time. I began to view every padlock as a challenge. It left me with a lifelong interest in how locks work.

Regards

Geoff
16 July 2013 at 08:53 #124674
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
It always amused me about the "locks" used on parking meters ! "Sxxxxxn" Talk about being insecure!!!!
16 July 2013 at 17:11 #124708
Lambton
Participant
@lambton
My late Father used to say "locks only keep honest people out"

Eric
16 July 2013 at 21:21 #124739
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
I like that Eric.

Combination bike locks were the (trivial) challenge at school – the usual deed was to remove the lock and present it to the bike's owner.

Neil
17 July 2013 at 13:24 #124808
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
In the Boy Entrant School RNZAF, we had 4 digit combination padlocks on our tool bags, it took us only a few miniutes before we could open each others bag, at that stage a lock didn't matter, we all had the same tools. Ian S C
17 July 2013 at 15:53 #124824
David Colwill
Participant
@davidcolwill19261
If the hot weather is keeping you from the workshop and you fancy reading something. This is entertaining.**LINK**

It has an interesting account of his safe cracking activities at Los Alamos!

David.
17 July 2013 at 17:04 #124830
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
David..great man.
.slightly odd but GREATman
17 July 2013 at 21:23 #124858
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
Did he not demonstrate the space shuttle gasket problem and completely demolish NASA's defence, just by dipping the material in ice water at the enquiry?

Neil
17 July 2013 at 21:40 #124861
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
Thats the guy.Also told pres.regan I might not life long enough to complete the enquiry. …but will do my best.
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