Page 1 of 2

Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:31 am
by Oldfast
Always feels good when I'm able to save a friend a few extra bucks because of this hobby :)

Some of these were in ROUGH shape. I first impressioned a key for each. Then soaked and degreased em'.
After THOROUGHLY rinsing and drying, I lubed em' up. They now work smoother than a brand new one.
(The two on the left are some generic 40mm off brands, but an M1 blank still fit them well)

Image
The majority of laminated Masters will open in either direction. If your key works the lock both ways smoothly
requiring no pushing/pulling or rocking up and down... it's a good indication of a well cut key. If you find it works
rough or not at all in one of the two directions, then your cuts are most likely slanted to some degree. To alleviate
this problem, tryn' focus on keeping the file level and perpendicular to the key with each stroke.

Image
I had done these laminated padlocks for him at the start of the summer and never thought to post the picture.
I seen him again just yesterday. This time he had a Master532 for me. One M4 blank and less than 4 mins later... :)

Image

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:21 am
by jeffmoss26
Nice work as always, Oldfast!

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:36 am
by MBI
VERY slick. Nice work.

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:48 am
by piotr
Nice work. It is also a way of "re-cycling" locks that would otherwise go to waste. Frugality is a virtue. :hbg:

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:19 pm
by eidissenberg
Great work!

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:59 pm
by macgng
nice job!

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 10:32 pm
by Oldfast
Thanks for the encouragement guys!
Best part is not only helpin' someone out, but with each
favor I do, I put just a little more experience under my belt :)

MBI wrote:VERY slick. Nice work.

Haha! I've come a long way since my first experience with impressioning. I wasn't always so "slick" about it. lol

Here's the second lock I ever impressioned. Although the key turned out nice... it wasn't unusual for it to take
me an hour + for just one lock. But I always remember how exciting & gratifying it was when it finally turned!

Image
Master #17... 5-pin

On a side-note: If anyone's interested in upgrading from their vice grips... this has served me well for over a year now.
This is an auto tool used for removing the seal around car windshields. Stripped of its' addtional parts, the handle works
beautifully for a key holder. This idea is not original to me. I first seen it in a vid from Daz (of DBC locksmiths). Check the
local auto places in your area (Napa, Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, etc.). Daz paid around $12 for his. I think I paid about $19

ImageImage
Image

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:14 am
by fat ed
Oldfast,

Would you be willing to share a more detailed set of steps in regards to the actually cleaning and degunking of older padlocks? perhaps share your insight as to what chemicals work best? thank you In advance.

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:59 am
by Oldfast
fat ed wrote:Oldfast,

Would you be willing to share a more detailed set of steps in regards to the actually cleaning and degunking of older padlocks? perhaps share your insight as to what chemicals work best? thank you In advance.

That's a wonderful topic indeed Ed! One in which I've been meaning (for some time now) to start a devoted thread for to get other peoples thoughts too.
Although my way seems to work well, I've often wondered if there's a more effecient (and possibly less abrasive) way of going about it. In the meantime
I'll PM you a list of chemicals and the manner in which I use em'. Hopefully it helps.

Certainly, alot will depend on the lock in question. Obviously, the aluminum body of an American will react differently to certain chemicals
than would the steel plates of a Master. And our approach will be different if the lock is easily disassembled rather than self-contained.

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:25 pm
by jj lock service
great work

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:03 am
by xeo
That shiny master lock... contrasting against the wood... NOMS.

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 7:58 am
by dicey
Dear Old fast,

You are an master of the Art and always provide us with very nice pictures and Informatik. That is very generous of you and I always enjoy reading your articles and looking at the pictures.

Hank you very much!

Adrian

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:37 pm
by Oldfast
Thanks so much for the words guys! Always nice to hear that some of this stuff inspires or informs :)

This thread poppin' up reminded me; did some more work for this same friend not long ago.
He had a couple of Master #5's (keyed alike) that I cleaned up and impressioned a key for.

Image

More interesting though, was what he wanted em' for. Many of you have probably seen these already.
I had never seen one though, and thought it was pretty neat. This particular tool chest is made by KNAACK.
A "gang-box", I think he called it. He has 2 of em'. One's a slightly smaller version... but they're both fairly big.

Image

There's a lock at either end. Each one hooks up inside the box and couples with latches on the lid.

Image Image

I'm no security expert, but it all looked pretty sound to me. The way in which the entire lock
is recessed into the front of the chest, I'm sure, would limit your options of forced entry. Attacks
such as cutting, prying, torching, etc., would be limited to drilling. Pickin' it would be best I think. :D

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:49 pm
by GWiens2001
I can't believe that you neglected impressioning as a way to open this lock, Mike! :shock:

Gordon

Re: Some Refurbished Masters

PostPosted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:45 am
by Oldfast
hahAA! Certainly could be done. Probably wedge something along side the lock body to stabilize it.