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M.E.4384 An Unusual Project

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chris stephens14/08/2010 00:02:21
1049 forum posts
1 photos
Hi Guys,
Am I the only one who thinks it a touch unwise to print an article about making a copy of a safe key, with dimensions, in a magazine? Not because it is not really a "model" engineer topic, but because of the security issues. I am sure the readers are quite honest but you can never tell who might pick up a copy.
 Had the author not given the location or even the area of the safe, the issue would not have arisen, or was he just teasing us.
chriStephens 
KWIL14/08/2010 10:54:25
3681 forum posts
70 photos
The dimensions as given, tell you the steps in making a key and are not sufficient in any way to make the same key for the same "safe".
 
Having personally made a number of keys to pattern and also to fit locks for which a key did not exist, (yes I do know how to pick some locks) this article is not a item that should be considered for the "Safe Breaker's Journal"
 
Included in ME?  Derek is merely giving readers a break from the usual and shows you some more of his skills.
Geoff Theasby14/08/2010 12:24:57
615 forum posts
21 photos
I too have made simple keys before now, it isn't difficult.
It helps if you have the original, but most locks are quite simple, it's easy to work out how to activate them.   At school, I could undo some cheap "yale" locks with my penknife blade.
 
Nicholas Farr14/08/2010 13:03:39
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3988 forum posts
1799 photos
Yes, I noticed some of the dimensions are pritty pricise, now is half a gnats whisker bigger or smaller than a tad?
Nick.
Stub Mandrel14/08/2010 21:25:43
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4318 forum posts
291 photos
1 articles
POWs in the second world war copied keys from patterns made by pressing a key into soap or candle wax. The true stories of some of the things made by POWs are amazing, from models to escape aids. The oldest I know of are the bone gallows and ships of the Napoleonic wars.
 
You used to be able to spot an old lag because his baccy tin was a Golden Virginia one covered in dead matchsticks (no I'm not one)
 
FWIW my spare workshop key is a yale type - with two broken halves silver soldered back
 together!
 
Finally, I once opened a friends Hillman Avenger without the key and started it  with a matchstick, much to his annoyance!
 
Neil
John Olsen15/08/2010 02:15:15
1294 forum posts
108 photos
1 articles
I hope that a "safe" that uses a key of that style is not used to contain anything of any actual value in the first place. From what I recall that style of lock was superseded in about the 18th century. This is because anything with a flag shape on the end that manages to avoid the pattern can open the lock. A bent piece of wire will do in some cases.
 
Locks are only to keep honest people out anyway.
Jeff Dayman16/09/2010 15:29:08
2356 forum posts
47 photos
The amazing part is that in a later issue the editor turned away a guy asking if there was interest in him writing an article series about a home weather station instrument set he's built. It looked quite smart in the photos he sent.
 
 I would imagine a weather instrument set would be of more use and interest to the ME reader than keys for an ancient church safe, but that's just my opinion.
 
Not trying to take away from Mr.Brown's skills in any way, he's a very talented guy and a great contributor to ME generally.
David Clark 116/09/2010 16:19:17
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3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
I never turned the guy away.
Because of the probable electronic content I said I would ask readers which I did.
I got two nos (one from a reader who had bought one from Ebay) and about 14 said yes so the article is on its way.
regards David
 
Jeff Dayman16/09/2010 18:23:51
2356 forum posts
47 photos
As a matter of fact your statement was  "I am not sure this sort of article should be included in Model Engineer"  on pg 193 of issue 4384, below Mr. Inchanga's letter.
 
I will have a look at the article when it appears. I imagine I will enjoy it and probably learn rather more from it than the church key article (just my opinion).
 
 
 
 
David Clark 116/09/2010 18:49:48
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3357 forum posts
112 photos
10 articles
Hi There
It was because of the electronic content.
I am trying to keep Model Engineer CNC and to a lesser extent electronics free.
regards david
 
Nicholas Farr17/09/2010 00:07:51
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3988 forum posts
1799 photos
Hi, I have allways had a keen interest in electronics. I have bult many electronic PCB's even ectching the booards myself. However I don't think electronics should encroach into Model Engineering into any great extent. There are other publications for that interest. (just my opinion)
Regards Nick.
John Olsen17/09/2010 00:16:53
1294 forum posts
108 photos
1 articles
I tend to avoid getting involved in electronics for the workshop, although I am well qualified to play with them (B.E. Electrical). I used to do quite a lot of electronic projects, but found that they have a habit of going out of date before you have quite finished. Better to stick to projects that are already out of date! I also quite like things that will still work after they have been under the bench collecting swarf and cutting oil for ten years.
 
regards
John
Nicholas Farr17/09/2010 00:29:43
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3988 forum posts
1799 photos
I hear what you are saying John.
Regards Nick.
Ian S C17/09/2010 12:16:43
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7468 forum posts
230 photos
Don't worry about it, 60 odd yrs ago, as a model engineer you could have been turning out parts for Sten Guns as fast as possible, the old safe is most likely the valuable item rather than its contents. Ian S C

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