Cast steel safe

[darryl.k]

My second project on the go!

Just picked up this small cast steel safe, only about 16" high, just about lift it on my own. Can any one identify the make as it has no makers name on it any where?

Its cast steel with a warded lock. No welding, all riveted together. Quite a rough sand cast, great to see all the imperfections from when it was made.

Came with no key. Does any one know where I can get a warded key cut easily? Otherwise I was going to get one CNC wire eroded.

Otherwise I don't know much about. I'm pretty sure the green paint wasn't original and was in a poor state, so I had it all shot blasted off. Any help or comments would be appreciated?!?

[Russell Stoner]

Hi Darryl

This lil plate safe could be an early J Cox

In the early days Cox used to stamp their name on the back of the door.
I've seen these sold in the region of £40-£100 in tatty condition.

Are there any markings on its lock?

Regards

Russell (Withy Grove)




QUOTE=darryl.k;7378]My second project on the go!

Just picked up this small cast steel safe, only about 16" high, just about lift it on my own. Can any one identify the make as it has no makers name on it any where?

Its cast steel with a warded lock. No welding, all riveted together. Quite a rough sand cast, great to see all the imperfections from when it was made.

Came with no key. Does any one know where I can get a warded key cut easily? Otherwise I was going to get one CNC wire eroded.

Otherwise I don't know much about. I'm pretty sure the green paint wasn't original and was in a poor state, so I had it all shot blasted off. Any help or comments would be appreciated?!?

[/QUOTE]

[darryl.k]

Hi Russell,

No there are not any markings on the lock at all. I cannot find any thing to give a clue. No stamps, no marks, no name plate, no key.

Although I have now bought a blank pipe key that I'm in the process of reverse engineering the design to suit the wards, its great fun, currently cutting it to suit, long but worth while job!

I'll get some more pics up as I go.

[darryl.k]

First reverse engineer the dimensions and make a practice one out of cardboard.

Buy a blank pipe safe key the nearest size and machine and bench fit to suit.

Lots of needle file and eye glass action. I broke my last 0.9mm abrafile, any one got any spare?

Chain drill 1.0mm holes on a pillar drill by eye, how I wish I had a mill or wire eroder!

Front end done, just to file the rear end for the back set of wards.
They must of had a lot of patience back in the old days thats all I can say!
Some one said it might be a Cox safe, but there are no markings, any one got any other suggestions? There are no markings or numbers at all.

Not sure what colour to do it either?!?

[Doug MacQueen]

Now we're talking. Great photos and and from what I see so far, great work, Darryl. I know not many on the forum do this kind of work but I do and I can appreciate what you are doing. Don't you love it when you read in old lock books where they talk about how easily warded keys were cut from taking wax or smoked trials to make a key. I don't think they actually ever tried to actually do it. I am interested in the book that sells the blanks. Here in the States we just don't see the larger barrel keys much at all. Doug

[darryl.k]

Hi Doug, thanks for the comments. I used to be a precision Toolmaker for Parker Pen working to very fine tolerances, so playing with this kinda stuff is really interesting and fun and it gives me an excuse to use my tools! Its great seeing how they tried to make things back then with tools that by today's standards were poor quality.

The key catalogue is SKS keys, you can download it here:

360 SKS Key Blank Catalogue

Shall post up some more photos soon!

[darryl.k]

I have now finished the key! It took so long, but worth it. It was very satisfying when I'd made the final cut, fitted the lock and turned the key to see the bolt shoot across. A nice feeling considering it may not have worked for some 10 to 40 years, who knows!?

Need to make an even smaller key for the drawer now.
More pics to come.

Comments welcome!

[Russell Stoner]

Crackin job D.

If you want another project, I have up for grabs a lock, with key from a Church Vault door.

We decommed the door some years ago & the lock just couldnt be thrown out. It is c1880!

I'm open to offers

Regards
Russell
Withy Grove (Leeds) Ltd
t: 044 (0)113 2721441

I have now finished the key! It took so long, but worth it. It was very satisfying when I'd made the final cut, fitted the lock and turned the key to see the bolt shoot across. A nice feeling considering it may not have worked for some 10 to 40 years, who knows!?

Need to make an even smaller key for the drawer now.
More pics to come.

Comments welcome!

[Timbo]

Hi Darryl,
Nice job on the key by the way, looks good.
Have you tried to get hold of a key saw to do the smaller lock ? I remember some years ago, I had to cut a very large church door lock cast key, it was about 9-12 inches long !! Took me about a day and a half to get done with a key saw but ended up absoloutely fantastic. Well done and good luck with the smaller one.
Tim

[darryl.k]

Thank you... That reply was such a great help!

I'm an Engineer and searched for everything I knew of, but key saws! They look like small broaches?!

I Looked under;
Abrafiles
Saw files
Needle Files
Riffler files
Swiss files
Coping saws

Most of which just are not small enough. Struggling to find anything under 1mm