Hello, I have an original, unrestored 1924 Tudor and would like to get a key for the passenger side door lock. I took the lock assembly out of the door and took it to an oldtime locksmith (who has cut many keys for me in the past 40 years) and he now says he can't do it. The square shaft coming out the back of the lock is marked F717, this couldn't possibly be the code, could it ?? Anyone have any ideas where I can get a key cut for this lock ?? I know I can get a new assembly from Langs or Snyders but I like the idea of as many original parts on the car as possible.
The trick is finding the correct blanks. If you can locate blanks, take one and file an edge where the pins would contact (like a wood chisel edge). Place the key in and turn left/right several times. Remove the key and use a triangular file to cut a shallow notch at each mark. Just take a few swipes at a time. Once you have a pattern made, any replicating machine can make copies. The problem is finding the correct blank type, it may no longer be made.
Is that the method known as imprinting?? I have a blank and put some dye on it and rocked it back and forth in the lock. But I couldn't see any marks on it. Is that why I should knife-edge on the blank???
Bruce, I believe the F717 is the code. Off hand, I don't remember which company as several, with Briggs and Stratton being one of the largest, supplied keys and locks for Ford. Other supplier was Crown.I have had a key or two custom made for lock cylinders, but in almost every case, the locksmith had the drill the pins out and install new pins and change the original combination. Briggs cylinders are the least successful to 'impression' or rekey because the cylinder is made of pot metal and tends to swell with age.
Bruce,
I have a particular interest in the various door locks used on the 1923 - 1925 Closed Cars. When I was restoring our Fordor 25 years ago I had to find a replacement lock as our's was one of the Pot Metal versions, and it were not able to be salvaged. I found an advertisement in the Vintage Ford Magazine and the seller was able to supply me with a nice replacement along with two keys. I believe that the seller is still in the business of selling some locks and keys.
I have bookmarked a few Forum threads on the Closed Car Locks and have attached the links here. They may be of interest to you. If you would like me to see if I can get some information regarding the seller who helped me please feel free to send me a PM and I will endeavour to see what I can do.
Best regards, John Page , Australia.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/80257/112230.html?1259647229
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/144617.html?1276373842
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/166069.html?1287195273
When I was restoring my 24 T Coupe the door lock key was missing. The lock that was in in had never been removed as I could tell and the car has been in our family since 1942 so I'm pretty sure its the original lock.
I took it a lockshop which had been in business since the 50's and found that the keyway in the lock was the same as door locks that was used in Ford cars up to 1948.
Its fairly common and the shop still had some original blanks.
I got a couple of keys cut and now can lock the door if I want.
Bruce, the knife edge allows the pin to put pressure on a very small area. It may help. Reading the other comments though it does sound like it may be difficult. Now that the key blank has been identified, perhaps a different locksmith could make the key for you.
Bruce:
I met a locksmith at Hershey, Douglas Vogel, from Dexter, MI. He had a lot of reference info and old keys with him.
PM me for his contact info if you are interested.
jb
Bruce
When I got my coupe it came without a door key also. I bought the repro lock cylinder from one of the vendors, but it was a little too big for the hole in the door. Rather than "ream" the hole out, I went to every old hardware store and locksmith in South City, and they all sent me here:
Designers Brass
280 El Camino Real
San Bruno CA 94066
http://designersbrass.com/
There is an old time locksmith (Art) in the back that made me a set of keys for my original lock for about $45.00 as I recall.
It's a double cut key, and the blank he used was an ILCO 1041 FE.
You aren't too far from here, you might give him a try.
Bob
Thanks to everyone for their ideas and leads on this. This forum is very helpful. Thanks again, Bruce
I am fairly sure that there are still standard lock tumblers that fit, look, and work fine. When I got my '24 coupe, it was missing the lock, and judging by the paint, for at least thirty years. I had some equipment cabinet locks from work, checked, and they would have fit and worked easily. However, in my old car junk stuff, I had an old Chicago lock that even had its original key and worked. The only problem with it was that the square shaft had been cut too short for the deep coupe door. So I made and fit a custom extension. It wasn't difficult.
So now my coupe has a good working vintage aftermarket lock.
If you do not have a nice old aftermarket lock that fits? Can't find anyone that can fix yours? Any good lock shop should be able to get for you a nice, good looking, equipment cabinet lock.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
My 1924 Tudor has a Yale lock and the locksmith here in Flagstaff (Hal's Locks) looked up the number on the side of the tumbler in his Yale lock book (Vintage)and cut the key, twenty bucks for the cutting of two keys. I found the key blanks at a hardware store.