Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

Hello.
I have an old Chubb 'Cruiser' padlock, probably about 30 years old.
Still available
http://www.saundersonsecurity.co.uk/...b_Cruiser.html

Unfortunately the keys have been mislaid/lost and I would dearly like to use
it again rather than bin it and buy anew. FWIW the padlock is unlocked.
I have spoken with Chubb (unhelpful) who directed me to a local
supplier/agent. The local agent was Very helpful but unable to assist. He
said that if I could find a good locksmith it might be possible to obtain an
impression of the levers and thus produce a key.
This may perhaps not be worth the salt but I really detest chucking a
quality item away if it can possibly be retrieved.
Thanks
Nick

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

Nick wrote:

Hello.
I have an old Chubb 'Cruiser' padlock, probably about 30 years old.
Still available
http://www.saundersonsecurity.co.uk/...b_Cruiser.html

Unfortunately the keys have been mislaid/lost and I would dearly like to use
it again rather than bin it and buy anew. FWIW the padlock is unlocked.
I have spoken with Chubb (unhelpful) who directed me to a local
supplier/agent. The local agent was Very helpful but unable to assist. He
said that if I could find a good locksmith it might be possible to obtain an
impression of the levers and thus produce a key.
This may perhaps not be worth the salt but I really detest chucking a
quality item away if it can possibly be retrieved.
Thanks
Nick

I've done keys for doorlocks but I dont see how you would for a
padlock, as theres no access to the necessary parts - short of
destroying it.

There are ways to pick lcoks but afaik none will give you the key
details.


NT

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 22:55:50 +0100, "Nick"
wrote:

Hello.
I have an old Chubb 'Cruiser' padlock, probably about 30 years old.
Still available
http://www.saundersonsecurity.co.uk/...b_Cruiser.html

Unfortunately the keys have been mislaid/lost and I would dearly like to use
it again rather than bin it and buy anew. FWIW the padlock is unlocked.
I have spoken with Chubb (unhelpful) who directed me to a local
supplier/agent. The local agent was Very helpful but unable to assist. He
said that if I could find a good locksmith it might be possible to obtain an
impression of the levers and thus produce a key.
This may perhaps not be worth the salt but I really detest chucking a
quality item away if it can possibly be retrieved.

I've made keys up for various locks using a suitable blank and some
black wax.
Simply heat the blank key blade and coat it with a thin layer of black
wax. Insert it gently and carefully into the lock then gently turn it
in the appropriate direction. It will stop, of course - at which point
you turn it back and carefully remove it.
You'll see a mark in the wax...cut or file it out. Recoat the blade
with wax and repeat.

It takes a while, and the impressions can sometimes be a bit of a
puzzle to figure out ( is it a slot, or a groove? ), but the job
satisfaction quota is brilliant.
If you succeed...get a spare cut straightaway!

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 22:55:50 +0100, "Nick"
wrote:

I have an old Chubb 'Cruiser' padlock, probably about 30 years old.

Then replace it with something like an Abus Discus, because an old Chubb
Cruiser can be removed in mere seconds.

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

On 5 Oct, 00:33, Stephen Howard wrote:

Simply heat the blank key blade and coat it with a thin layer of black
wax.

"Impressioning" is the term for a web search. You can use simple soot
too.

If this is a relatiely recent Cruiser, then you might have trouble
obtaining a blank, as the bitt is offset.

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
ups.com...
On 5 Oct, 00:33, Stephen Howard wrote:

Simply heat the blank key blade and coat it with a thin layer of black
wax.

"Impressioning" is the term for a web search. You can use simple soot
too.

If this is a relatiely recent Cruiser, then you might have trouble
obtaining a blank, as the bitt is offset.

Thanks.
I don't understand how 'term for a web search' is relevant here.
The term impress, in subject above, was given by a locksmith and is
presumably a term used by those in that craft; no doubt not exclusively.
As previously said the lock is about 30 years old. The bitt (never heard of
that word in this context) is indeed offset but I am able to make a blank

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 22:55:50 +0100, "Nick"
wrote:

I have an old Chubb 'Cruiser' padlock, probably about 30 years old.

Then replace it with something like an Abus Discus, because an old Chubb
Cruiser can be removed in mere seconds.

Am I missing something?
if you mean an Abus Discus as he
http://www.lockshop-warehouse.co.uk/..._Padlocks.html

then I fear you may be mistaken. I have removed these in a very short time.
We gave up on them some while ago.
Removed with Record 36" bolt croppers, which will not make any impression
upon a Chubb Cruiser or Battleship padlock. New bolt croppers didn't come
cheap either.
For the sake of information and education, please let me know how "an old
Chubb
Cruiser can be removed in mere seconds" I would be most interested.

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

"Stephen Howard" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 22:55:50 +0100, "Nick"
wrote:

Hello.
I have an old Chubb 'Cruiser' padlock, probably about 30 years old.
Still available
http://www.saundersonsecurity.co.uk/...b_Cruiser.html

Unfortunately the keys have been mislaid/lost and I would dearly like to
use
it again rather than bin it and buy anew. FWIW the padlock is unlocked.
I have spoken with Chubb (unhelpful) who directed me to a local
supplier/agent. The local agent was Very helpful but unable to assist. He
said that if I could find a good locksmith it might be possible to obtain
an
impression of the levers and thus produce a key.
This may perhaps not be worth the salt but I really detest chucking a
quality item away if it can possibly be retrieved.

I've made keys up for various locks using a suitable blank and some
black wax.
Simply heat the blank key blade and coat it with a thin layer of black
wax. Insert it gently and carefully into the lock then gently turn it
in the appropriate direction. It will stop, of course - at which point
you turn it back and carefully remove it.
You'll see a mark in the wax...cut or file it out. Recoat the blade
with wax and repeat.

It takes a while, and the impressions can sometimes be a bit of a
puzzle to figure out ( is it a slot, or a groove? ), but the job
satisfaction quota is brilliant.
If you succeed...get a spare cut straightaway!

Regards,


Many thanks,
good info which makes sense & I'm a patient soul
Regards
Nick.

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

"Nick" wrote in message
...

"Stephen Howard" wrote in message
snip

Simply heat the blank key blade and coat it with a thin layer of
black
wax. Insert it gently and carefully into the lock then gently turn
it
in the appropriate direction. It will stop, of course - at which
point
you turn it back and carefully remove it.
You'll see a mark in the wax...cut or file it out. Recoat the
blade
with wax and repeat.

It takes a while, and the impressions can sometimes be a bit of a
puzzle to figure out ( is it a slot, or a groove? ), but the job
satisfaction quota is brilliant.
If you succeed...get a spare cut straightaway!

Regards,


Many thanks,
good info which makes sense & I'm a patient soul
Regards
Nick.



Surely the bits of the lock that need moving to unlock it will also
leave impressions on the black wax. If you file away where any mark is
made I can see you ending up with a key that turns in the lock but
fails to operate it ! Presumably you need to be able to differentiate
between the two cases - maybe firmness of impression or some such ?

AWEM

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

On Sat, 6 Oct 2007 08:58:20 +0100, "Andrew Mawson"
wrote:


"Nick" wrote in message
...

"Stephen Howard" wrote in message
snip

It takes a while, and the impressions can sometimes be a bit of a
puzzle to figure out ( is it a slot, or a groove? ), but the job
satisfaction quota is brilliant.
If you succeed...get a spare cut straightaway!

Many thanks,
good info which makes sense & I'm a patient soul

Surely the bits of the lock that need moving to unlock it will also
leave impressions on the black wax. If you file away where any mark is
made I can see you ending up with a key that turns in the lock but
fails to operate it ! Presumably you need to be able to differentiate
between the two cases - maybe firmness of impression or some such ?

Largely down to feel...
If the blade inserted and turned carefully you should be able to feel
whether any obstacle is immovable or not. The use of wax, rather than
soot, can help to distinguish such obstacles - and determine whether
the mark should be cut out or around.
You'd soon find out anyway, and there's usually enough leeway in the
mechanism to forgive any small errors - though a drop of soft solder
can be used to repair larger mistakes ( silver solder is better, if
you have the kit ).

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

On 6 Oct, 00:13, "Nick"
wrote:
if you mean an Abus Discus as hehttp://www.lockshop-warehouse.co.uk/..._Padlocks.html

then I fear you may be mistaken. I have removed these in a very short time.
We gave up on them some while ago.
Removed with Record 36" bolt croppers,

The Discus design is a close-shackle design, meaning that you can't
get bolt-croppers _to_ the shackle. You have to use it in such a way
(i.e. attached to a close-fitting staple) that there isn't room to get
them in. If you use a large one on a narrow staple, then it may become
croppable (although you'd probably find the quickest route to be
attacking the staple itself).

The Discus isn't the strongest case in the world (it's only welded
sheet) and is certainly breakable with force. To go better though,
you're looking at a "limpet" design where the shackle is internal and
the whole mechanism fits under a hemispherical lid. A hinged shackle
(like the Cruiser) is a backward step.

Any locksmiths hereabouts? How to impress a padlock. Help please
 

On 5 Oct, 23:48, "Nick"
wrote:

I don't understand how 'term for a web search' is relevant here.

"impressioning" in Google finds it, "impress" alone won't (in a
useful manner)