Locksmithing

[Thomas GudeParticipant @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

[Thomas GudeParticipant @thomasgude37285]

Not model engineering related – but chucking it out there for some answers

[Sub MandrelParticipant @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

[V8EngParticipant @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

[KWILParticipant @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).

[frank brownParticipant @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

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @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

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

It always amused me about the "locks" used on parking meters ! "Sxxxxxn" Talk about being insecure!!!!

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

My late Father used to say "locks only keep honest people out"

Eric

[Sub MandrelParticipant @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

[Ian S CParticipant @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

[David ColwillParticipant @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.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

David..great man.
.slightly odd but GREATman

[Sub MandrelParticipant @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

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Thats the guy.Also told pres.regan I might not life long enough to complete the enquiry. …but will do my best.

[Author]

Posts