I dig old stuff. A new kind of project for me.

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A customer came in the other day wanting me to weld an old skeleton key for a lock, built around the 1790's, on what he called a "Swedish lunch box".I can't attest to it's age, but is obvious this lock was hand forged. And quite well, I might add.It sure looks like could be 200 years old. He brought the lock and key parts and I scoped them out later and saw that the key was wrong, broken or not.He didn't want to spend a bunch, I told him minimum one hour and he cried about that.I figured, with what I have, the quickest way to make a working key was to cut the rough shape from a piece of 3/8" x 1-1/2" bar and drill, grind, sand and file the final shape.Ended up taking almost 2 hours, and I just charged for one anyway. No way he'd pay for 2 and I wasn't going to give up half way. If I had more time I would have prettied it up a lot more.It was kind of like a self imposed challenge that I could do it. It's not too pretty but it'll work.:beer:Last edited by app-ironworksllc; 06-18-2013 at 10:34 AM.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:Hey, Brian.That's pretty cool!, but how did you figure out the right shape of the key?As long as it worked, that's what counts. That guy should pay you for your time. I know the feeling of not giving up when you have a challenge regardless of the hours vs. pay. But he should do the right thing.Do you have a picture of the lock after it was opened?Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:I should have, but I didn't take a shot of it opened. The key rotates clockwise, you can tell from the shape and wear in the exposed upper lever that pushes the latch on one side. The other latch, below the divider plate, is pushed the opposite direction by what must be finger of sorts built onto the latch arm. A C shaped spring, visible in the pictures, applies compression against the outside of the latches just below the teeth.Sorry if that doesn't make a lot of sense, I'm a little rusty on antique lock nomenclature.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:sweet  is there a "before" pic?Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Raulsweet  is there a "before" pic?
Reply:NiftyI recently took some old furniture, in good shape, and vintage Drexel at that, to auction...........and got peanuts for itProbably some dealer (I looked at the guys bidding on it, definitely not from around here) bought the stuff, and will take it to some shi shi antique place, then mark it up sky highProbably the same deal with your lock guy, killed him to spend money on it."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/