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Vintage 1970 Locksmith Kit

Bolster

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Jul 8, 2008
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4,056
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Mexifornia
This post is just for fun, something a little different. Here are some photos of my (now ancient) locksmith kit. Amazing I still have it! My dad bought me a Belsaw locksmith course when I was in 7th grade (mid 1970s) and when I entered highschool I became the school's locksmith. Four years, this was how I earned money (which bought cars and paid for dates). Recently the wife has been dealing in houses, and first thing she needs is a rekey. So I have been using my old kit a lot recently. I usually file the keys by hand on the spot. There are a few new items here, like the Brokhage gun (which I'm really lousy at), and the plastic followers, but most is original swag from my youth.

One of my duties was to clean out and change combos on lockers every year. For some reason I pasted any stickers I could liberate into my box. So those of you who can remember the 70s will notice a number of 70s era themes in the stickers, particularly the POWs.

And that cut depth chart taped to the outside was me pecking on a Selectric typewriter...ooh la la! Top of the line technology (at the time).

Don't overlook the sweet little cman vise nestled in the bottom. Spent many hours hunched over that, and still do.

My favorite item is the pinning tray, made by a 14-year old version of myself, routed freehand into a block of oak. Sure I could make a lot nicer one nowadays, but why? Its crooked lines and strikeovers make me smile every time I use it. It's a hoot to use this kit as the memories of youth come flooding back every time I touch it.

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JASTECH

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Oct 21, 2009
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Gering, NE
I just use a lock picking 20lb. sledge, lol..Nice kit, there is thousands of tumblers around here.
 
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jeffmoss26

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May 25, 2011
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12,861
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Cleveland, Ohio
That is awesome. Check out keypicking.com where I am also a member. I've been collecting, picking, and rekeying for a few years now. I've tried a bit of impressioning here and there. I do not have the patience to make my own picks, but many of the guys have done top notch work!
 
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Bolster

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Jul 8, 2008
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Location
Mexifornia
Thanks for the comments!

Regards the pick gun...I have not learned how to use it past 4 pins at this point...which is another way of saying, I **** at it. No house lock has 4 pins! Way back when, I couldn't pick worth a darned with traditional picks, either. It really is a skill, and I keep hoping they come up with a "skill free" way of opening a lock. I've heard about electronic pick guns. Anybody use one of those?

A comment on files: The files in my kit have been cutting since the 70s, too. It's amazing how long a file will last if you keep it dry and use it on brass...

One thing that amazes me, nobody makes a file the shape of a key cut! It should be triangular, with a flat spot at the bottom. (Take a look at your housekey and imagine filing it, you'll see immediately the file shape needed.) You can find tri files all day long but not with one "flatted" corner. Also a key cut is more like 90 degrees included, than 60, which you find on your typical tri file.

I have heard locksmiths prefer Pippin files, but I don't understand how they'd be better. Other than they are shockingly expensive (like $60 for one.)
 
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jeffmoss26

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May 25, 2011
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Cleveland, Ohio
Most of the guys I know use pippin files. I can not justify the cost!
I have tried pick guns but it takes the fun out of it for me!
 
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