Order from confusion matching padlocks and keys

[Martha336]

About a week ago, my husband and I bought 336 antique and old padlocks locks and some keys. About 100 of the padlocks are matched with keys. I am still in the process of sorting them, and trying to match keys to locks. My husband and I collect anything that we like-from glass to padlocks. But we don't know a lot about padlocks. We both love learning about things we've bought and after 40 years of collecting, we are happy to jump right in and learn about padlocks. But while I am sorting through this huge number of padlocks, I have some questions. I was happy to find this site, and I am using it to figure out what types of padlocks we have, and about the companies, value and keys. Today, I am most interested in keys. I am sorting the keys into shapes and thicknesses, brands, and things like that.
There are many flat steel keys, that seem solid, but very cheaply made. As much quality that went into the padlocks, I can't help wondering why the keys were so inexpensively made?
As I try to match a key to a padlock, am I going to hurt anything if a key fits all the way into the lock, but isn't a match? My husband says probably not, because people use the wrongs keys often.
We have some of the Scandinavian style padlocks, with large holes for keys. Will they all take a thick-shafted key or do some have other shape of keys?
We have Yale padlocks, plus padlocks that were made by Yale with different names, such as Terror. Did anyone ever do odds of any Yale key fitting any Yale lock?

I have matched 8 locks and keys since we brought the padlocks home and I can't tell you how satisfying it is when a padlock clicks open :) I'm sure we'll keep a few, but we'll sell most of these on eBay so we can buy other things we like. I'll be visiting this site often as I have time. If anyone has advice or can answer my questions, thanks!

[bbcci]

Hi Martha, welcome to the forum. Your first question about the flat steel keys is really a good one. Typically used in lever locks they are a reflection of industrial production changes in the effort to reduce cost. Mechanisms that used to require the skeleton style or hollow barrel key remained basically the same but the lock case and housing were altered to accept the flat key which could be cut (and later stamped) out at a fraction of the cost.
Trying keys in the locks wont hurt the lock itself, however- the risk of getting a key caught in one is real enough. The amount of pressure used to insert and rotate becomes critical the closer the key your trying is to the original. Say you can feel the key start to turn in the lock then it meets resistance and you think to yourself probably just a bit dirty in there so you apply a little more pressure. OOps, not so dirty after all, the key biting is locked and does not want to go either way now. The value of some locks even without the key can be such that you might not want to take the risk until you have an idea of its value.
Scandi style locks with the large hole do take a thick shafted key, can be a post or hollow ended, typically have angled or beveled cuts in the teeth but not always.
"Odds of any Yale key fitting any Yale lock?" Oh my, you would probably get better odds at the casino.
Good luck and looking forward to seeing some pictures... Bill

[Martha336]

I'm hoping to take some pictures soon. The padlocks started out in 5 or 6 boxes, now in 9 or 10, as I try different ways to organize. I had a couple of keys get stuck, but just gently wiggled them until the lock let go. I have been testing the keys with locks over the last week. There is a Bond lock, that opens with a very odd National key. The key was on a band, but instead of putting it back on the shank with the band, I put it through the key hole, which I rediscovered last night. I actually found another key that opened that lock, much relief, and a great reminder not to do that! I didn't get too many shafted keys, hollow or not, so I'll be on the look out for those. I'll be seeing the person we bought the locks from again soon, and will ask if there are any more keys. I have one small Yale that is matched to a Master key, and it works. And 2 Rugbys that open with the same key :)


I appreciate your response to my questions. I'm sure I'm going to have a lot more as we get through this. I am so glad that I found this site. Every time I use it, I am learning more and more.

[Timothy]

That a lot of padlocks and keys you have there. There one more thing as some paldock have code number stamp on the padlock as there should be some key match the code number on padlock. As Yale lock do stamp code number on there padlock to match there key as some don't. Hoping maybe help you out on this one. As where in a world you get 336 locks and keys. I have never see that many padlock go on sale for over that much padlock and key. Hoping soon to see some of your collect of padlock and key...Timothy..

[Martha336]

That a lot of padlocks and keys you have there. There one more thing as some paldock have code number stamp on the padlock as there should be some key match the code number on padlock. As Yale lock do stamp code number on there padlock to match there key as some don't. Hoping maybe help you out on this one. As where in a world you get 336 locks and keys. I have never see that many padlock go on sale for over that much padlock and key. Hoping soon to see some of your collect of padlock and key...Timothy..

Hi Timothy, Yes, it is a lot of padlocks and keys. I noticed the codes on some of the padlocks. There are a lot of the flat steel keys that aren't marked. And many other Yale keys that are, but don't fit any of the locks, so far. I'm hoping that the cloverleaf shaped keys are mainly Yale. I counted about 110 padlocks with keys, which includes the ones I've matched since we bought them. I noticed that some of the keys are a different maker than the lock, but I'm happy they work together. I'll have some free time Thursday, and will take some pictures and get them up. A lady is cleaning out her house. She was tired of trying to match the padlocks and keys in her late husband's collection, and we were glad to get them. She said he collected everything, and I'm beginning to think that is so. I asked her the other day if she has any more keys and she said she'd check. I can't think why a collector would store the padlocks and keys separately, so it may be he bought whatever he came across, and the keys and padlocks were bought at different times and he tried to make matches. I'm enjoying the same challenge, for sure :) Thanks so much for adding another tip for me. I sure appreciate it.

[Martha336]

I hope I added 4 pictures of the padlocks. Now I can see where I'm at and later how I'm doing!

[Timothy]

Wow! you looking like you doing fine...Timothy...

[oldbiscuit]

Martha, the Yale padlocks in your 4th picture, the ones made of heavy cast steel with the brass hasps are what is called "push key pin tumbler" or PKPT for short. These take a flat key with the sawtooth pattern like a modern key,less the grooves on the sides(make since?). The way they work is with the correct key inserted, you push in on the key, or pull up on the brass hasp until the hasp clears the brass socket. Then you rotate the key which opens the lock. The odds of matching up a key to one of these locks will probably be pretty slim, but not imposable. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, Mark

[Timothy]

Martha
I was looking at one of box that seem like there door knob at per attached. It there a small lock on that door knob..??...One more thing to add as notice you have some combination padlock as some of these also do have code number on it to get combination number....Timothy..

[Timothy]

Sorry about the picture to add for the thread about the door knob.