Bramah key replacement and probable repair 1st if possible?

[Andrew Nagler]

Greetings all -

1st - hoping my pics show up as this is my 1st post here...ha!

I have a Bramah lock in our hands with lost keys, possibly damaged lock @ center post @ keyway...pushed off on an angle a bit and other scaring to metal. Rumor has it that the grandkids had a go at it with a screwdriver, yet it wasn't locked.

Nevertheless, end user would like to make it functional.

So, are these repairable or are there replacements to be had?

Are there any Bramah gurus that'd like a go at it if repairable?

Many thanks,

Andrew

[Daniel John]

Hi Andrew

Welcome to the forum. To assist with your query, yes indeed, there are people here who can repair your lock. Paul Prescott deals specifically in the repair of anything Bramah related. Contact can be made either via the Bramah website (see link below). Or, Alternatively, search his name in the search bar above, and send him a message.

Members are sometimes not on here regularly, so things may take awhile.

Best of luck!

https://squirelocks.com.au/contact-us/

[Paul Prescott]

Thanks for the post Daniel.

Andrew, I can certainly repair and make keys for your lock. Replacements are not available unless specially made which is very expensive.

I am not aware of anyone in the US with the correct skills and equipment, so you will need to send it to me here in Australia, but this is not uncommon and I do international work quite routinely.

Rgds

Paul

[Andrew Nagler]

Thank you Paul!

Could you email me the "general pricing" for something like this?
2 Keys and repairs.


[email protected]


Many thanks!

Andrew

[Doug MacQueen]

Maybe this will convince you Paul.

[Andrew Nagler]

Hello Doug -

That's amazing...what are my options at this point?

Best,
Andrew

[Doug MacQueen]

I am not competing for the job just refreshing his memory.

[Paul Prescott]

Maybe this will convince you Paul.

Nice key. larger keys like that are are somewhat easier to cut than smaller ones by hand, once you've made the blanks of course ..

By equipment I was referring to a dedicated machine for cutting such keys.

[Huw Eastwood]

I've also made a few and have to admit the larger diameters make easier work of cutting the slots than the smaller sizes.
I did a couple of cabinet size (for a Sampson Mordan) and struggled, but luckily only had 3 or 4 actual cuts. There's no way I could do a modern bramah with 7 slots cut in Ø1/4" 316 stainless steel ! That's bordering on wizardry !

Always wondered what the factory machines were like that cut them- working on the shaper principle perhaps, using a linear reciprocating action at 90 degrees to the key shaft ?
And, whether using a very short toothed blade of sorts, or a single point tool as on a shaping machine? Im guessing it's definitely not a circular cutter with such limited clearance within the tip of the key- often wondered..

The spiral tipped example here is loosely based on the challenge trophy key(always wanted one), but wanted this heavily gold-plated so made in brass to take the electroplating.
Cutting the spiral tip was actually a lot more challenging than first thought and changes the visual perspective of the key tip dramatically.

We used to see Jeremy Bramah a lot at MLA meetings but never did get to actually see the London works.







PS Doug, very nice work there great to see your work again

[Paul Prescott]

Where were those keys Huw ? In particular the large old type key ?