History & Heritage
A decorative stem A lit candle to blacken the bit of the key
In our lathe we can create a decorative stem including the key ’ s collar .
Here we have the newly machined key stem ( still attached to a lump of bar ) but allowing to check for size .
To create the bit of the key blank , we once again use scrap metal . We cut the bit out of the old boltwork of a Samuel Withers safe .
The key bit is filed with a large round file to create a concave in one side of the square key bit .
The key bit is also tapered to the shape of the keyhole in the lock using a hand held disc cutter and final dressing with a file .
The shaft of the key is secured in the vice at one end . An old brick is stood up on end to deflect the heat back into the metal and is then silver soldered in place .
Once the key bit has been cleaned up and the sides of the key bit filed down to pass inside the lock chamber ’ s walls , a lit candle was used to blacken the bit of the key .
With the key inside the lock chamber , we use a sharpened needle file to mark in the soot the position of the wards . We then cut out the wards . This process has to be repeated many times until the key bit passes through all the wards within the lock chamber .
We use both key saws and needle files to cut in these wards .
The bow is then silver soldered onto the main stem of the key in the same manner as the key bits . During this process , the key bits are kept cool using wet cold cloth wrapped around the bit and the stem . This is to prevent it become unsoldered when attaching the key bow .
We use both key saws and needle files to cut in these wards
This is the key with all its components soldered in place including a bull ring . Keys of this period sometimes had these rings as a method of tying the key to a belt . There ’ s no pockets deep enough to hold this key .
All these techniques , and more , are available through the Master Locksmiths Association extensive training courses .
Scrap metal is used to create the bit
Filing the key bit
The key bit is tapered to the shape of the keyhole using a hand held disc cutter
An old brick is used to deflect the heat back into the metal
JAN / FEB 2021
67
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