chapter 566
9/22/2020
Lock Picking
breaking and entering the unknown
Bought a lock picking set from Amazon. Never had an official one but I've picked many locks in my life. Then Lucas wanted me to make a key for the hundred year old "Titanic" lock I gave him. Locks and lockpicking is a neat hobby and can be a lifetime passion. I think it's good for the mind and for creativity. He shows an interest in it for now at least. As his Industrial Engineer Dad looks on I think back to my Dad's incredible mechanical skills and expansive tinkering.
It doesn't seem like like it would take all this stuff to make a little key but I used many tools.
I have pieces of scrap metal in my garage attic so all I have to do is form the key. I had a picture of one from the Simmons Catalog on line (they have been out of business a long time, 1874 -1940), but their key picture was deceptive. Only used the angle grinder briefly but it made a nice dramatic shot.
Mostly it was a lot of hacksawing and filing for many hours.
My key ended up working pretty well. Very pleased at the accomplishment. I covered the lock ten years ago in Chapter 233. And don't ever forget my Mosler Safe story Chapter 217D.
We went to Averill Park for the Sand Lake village wide garage sale and luckily found a barn sale where I ended up with a handful of old locks for $5. Several companies that went out of business 45 years ago Walsco, Slaymaker and Eagle made in Terryville, CT. and a Brinks.
The owner in plaid bought the barns that were used for ice houses years ago. Burden Lake Ice Harvesting - Sand Lake Town Historical Society.
( Ice Harvest video in NH.)
Youtube continues to be just a wealth of fascinating information about all things. There is a passionate group of hobbyists posting on this subject. A brief search yielded these interesting examples.
Picking Antique lever locks
A German wooden lock requiring 300 steps to open.
Destroying the safest lock in the world with 50 calibre assault weapon by the authoritative Lockpicking Lawyer and Bosnian
Bill Bosnian Bill restores old lock
Lockpicking Lawyer Kryptonite challenge
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