+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. 20-10-09 11:45 AM #1
    vgf_uk
    vgf_uk is offline Member

    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default making a key for a victorian chubb cabinet lock - modern steel barrel key blank?

    Hi there,

    I am restoring a Victorian campaign chest of drawers, that has a 7 lever chubb lock on one of the top drawers, with no key.

    I have taken it apart, and made a working key from a steel barrel key blank i got from a local locksmith.

    My concern is that the levers are brass, and my key is modern steel, and that they key will wear away the level saddles.

    Should i look to make a key from some other material? If so what? The bore of the barrel i need is quite large (3/16ths of an inch) and i've been struggling to find any key blanks online made of anything but modern steel.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote  
  2. 20-10-09 11:47 AM #2
    oldlock's Avatar
    oldlock
    oldlock is offline Retired Member This is oldlock's Country Flag

    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cyberspace
    Posts
    849

    Default

    The original key would have been hardened steel ! If well cut with smooth radiused lever steps then the key should cause no damage to the lock at all.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote  
  3. 20-10-09 11:54 AM #3
    vgf_uk
    vgf_uk is offline Member

    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    2

    Default Radiused lever steps

    Thanks for the reply.

    Being new to locks and keys - by radiused lever steps - does that mean the profile of the bits should not be dead square (with sharp corners) but curved to match the profile of the saddle?
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote  
  4. 20-10-09 12:16 PM #4
    oldlock's Avatar
    oldlock
    oldlock is offline Retired Member This is oldlock's Country Flag

    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Cyberspace
    Posts
    849

    Default

    Quite right, the curve does not have to match precisely. Removing the sharp corners is usually adequate for most locks. Final finishing can be done with fine emery cloth if desired / necessary. The hardest problem with old locks is finding modern blanks that fit correctly in the first place.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote  
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

     

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

Forum Rules