M.E.4384 An Unusual Project

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M.E.4384 An Unusual Project

This topic has 14 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 17 September 2010 at 12:16 by Ian S C.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)

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14 August 2010 at 00:02 #54250
chris stephens
Participant
@chrisstephens63393
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
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14 August 2010 at 00:02 #37442
chris stephens
Participant
@chrisstephens63393
14 August 2010 at 10:54 #54258
KWIL
Participant
@kwil
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.
14 August 2010 at 12:24 #54261
Geoff Theasby
Participant
@geofftheasby
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.
14 August 2010 at 13:03 #54263
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
Yes, I noticed some of the dimensions are pritty pricise, now is half a gnats whisker bigger or smaller than a tad?

Nick.
14 August 2010 at 21:25 #54294
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
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
15 August 2010 at 02:15 #54306
John Olsen
Participant
@johnolsen79199
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.
16 September 2010 at 15:29 #55732
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
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.
16 September 2010 at 16:19 #55738
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
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
16 September 2010 at 18:23 #55743
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
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).
16 September 2010 at 18:49 #55744
David Clark 13
Participant
@davidclark13
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
17 September 2010 at 00:07 #55757
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
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.
17 September 2010 at 00:16 #55758
John Olsen
Participant
@johnolsen79199
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
17 September 2010 at 00:29 #55759
Nicholas Farr
Participant
@nicholasfarr14254
I hear what you are saying John.

Regards Nick.
17 September 2010 at 12:16 #55783
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
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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