[Re: rekeying locks in a type 44]

[Mike Arman]

<<snipped>>
>>
>> I'm not sure where I read it, but I do think there are ten sizes - the
>> graduations are very small, and after a few years there is enough normal
>> wear in the lock cylinder so that if we are off one or even two sizes, it
>> doesn't really matter. I've gotten lucky, too - sometimes all that is
>> needed is to re-arrange the wafers I already have.
>
>You know, maybe it doesn't matter because my key is worn down... It _might_
>make sense that if the key is slightly smaller than original, there's enough
>slop that the wafer can move around slightly to line up. Only problem with
>that theory is that it suggests that a really narrow key--or no key at
>all--would open the lock!
>

No, it won't. Reason is that the other end of the wafer ALSO moves. If the
key is too thin (doesn't move the wafer far enough upward), the bottom of
the wafer will still stick out at the "south end" of the inner barrel, and
keep the key from turning the barrel. If the key is too thick (too tall,
actually), it will slide the top of the wafer into interference with the
_top_ of the lock's outer cylinder - same result, the lock won't turn.

The height of the wafer exactly equals the diameter of the inner cylinder
of the lock, so if the key is wrong, you'll have some wafers sticking out
at the top preventing it from turning, and others sticking out at the
bottom as well.

Now, if I can only find the time to also fix the dang central locking
system  . . .


Best Regards,

Mike Arman




>- Wallace
>  '87 5kcstq 190k
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