FAQ  •  Register  •  Login
UKLockpickers.co.uk Lockpicking supplies such as Lockpicks, tools, and more! COMMANDOLOCK.COM Military grade padlock systems lockpickshop.com A source for lockpicking supplies such as lockpicks, locksmith tools, and more!

Padlocks and keymaking

<<

tpark

Contributor
Contributor

Posts: 240

Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:17 pm

Location: Alberta, Canada

Post Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:30 pm

Padlocks and keymaking

Hi,
I have some questions about where the key rests on some padlocks. Some Master lock keys have a flat back (such as the M1 blank locks, the No. 3 and No. 5) but others, such as the plastic LOTO locks have a curved contact area on the blade that appears to rest on the cylinder wall. Some cylinders, notably SFIC best, have curved contact areas which rest on the cylinder wall when the key is inserted.

Is it common that the key is designed to rest on the warding in the core? I was looking at a Wilson Bohannan lock with an original key, and it appears as though there's a small gap between the key and the cylinder wall.

The Herculock 980 appears to use the same depth increment as the WB locks. My WB lock (an "AR" version) appears to have space between the blade and the cylinder wall - I can turn the WB lock with a 15 thou reach inserted in the back between the blade and the cylinder wall, so that suggests that the key is resting on the warding.

If I used the 1071M Ilco blank in the Herculock, the depth on the lowest cut is a "9" which is one deeper than the official depth for WB locks. Blanks which are filed so that the back rests on the cylinder wall can be cut one depth shallower, so the range of cuts is within the valid WB range. So I am left with some options:

1) the 1071M blank is correct, but Herculock permits a cut that is 1 deeper.
2) The Herculock blank rests on the bottom of the cylinder (or almost rests) but uses shallower cuts.

If anyone has a herculock and can give me a definitive answer of what the cut depth of a "0" cut is, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, has anyone ordered from Herculock before? Although the locks can be both picked and bypassed, they seem to be good in that they don't rust and jam after being out in the weather for a while. The American stainless steel locks are good, but they're expensive little devils.

Thanks for any help you can provide.
<<

WestCoastPicks

Familiar Face

Posts: 189

Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2016 10:45 pm

Location: British Columbia, Canada

Post Wed Jul 06, 2016 5:46 pm

Re: Padlocks and keymaking

Most I have taken apart rest on the bottom of the key. But not by much. I guess it would depend on the key. Some aftermarket keys might ride on the warding.

From what I observe gutting and pinning up locks, the key rests on the bottom by a few thousandths.
<<

tpark

Contributor
Contributor

Posts: 240

Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 4:17 pm

Location: Alberta, Canada

Post Wed Jul 06, 2016 10:33 pm

Re: Padlocks and keymaking

WestCoastPicks wrote:Most I have taken apart rest on the bottom of the key. But not by much. I guess it would depend on the key. Some aftermarket keys might ride on the warding.

From what I observe gutting and pinning up locks, the key rests on the bottom by a few thousandths.


This is about right, and I've done some experimenting since. I have some 4 thou stock, and some 15 thou picks, and for the Wilson Bohannan and Herculock locks, you can jam a 15 thou shim between the blade and the cylinder and the key will turn fine, which makes me think that it's resting on the warding. I filed the back of a master padlock key and it still worked, so it may be resting on the warding. Best SFIC locks rest on the cylinder wall (at least they pick up grease from it). I think more experimenting is in order.

Return to Key Making

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

Don't forget to visit our sponsors for all of your lockpicking needs!
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Grop
"CA Black" theme designed by stsoftware