Skeleton Keys?

[SaltyD from BC]

You know, the old fashioned keys with a round shaft and fancy head and just a couple teeth off of the shaft to work the lock... I'm trying to figure out how to get a copy of one that I have. Its for the cabin door of a boat I just bought and I'd like to have a spare key. Any ideas? Does anyone still make these?

[pcford]

A good locksmith will be able to help. I did exactly what you are doing a couple years ago. You probably won't be able to buy the key "off the shelf" but it won't be a huge amount.

I did this to keep a client from putting a hasp on the door after a burglar was on board.

[SaltyD from BC]

I'm thinking I should be looking for a pretty old locksmith then no pcford? The 30 something locksmith near here certainly doesn't deal with them.. That's good news that you found one that savys skeleton keys, I should phone around down island in the bigger towns I guess..

[Captain Blight]

You know, the old fashioned keys with a round shaft and fancy head and just a couple teeth off of the shaft to work the lock... I'm trying to figure out how to get a copy of one that I have. Its for the cabin door of a boat I just bought and I'd like to have a spare key. Any ideas? Does anyone still make these?

Could you just weld a flag of sheet steel onto a drill bit the right diameter and then file the wards yourself? Shouldn't be that hard.

[pcford]

I'm thinking I should be looking for a pretty old locksmith then no pcford? The 30 something locksmith near here certainly doesn't deal with them.. That's good news that you found one that savys skeleton keys, I should phone around down island in the bigger towns I guess..

I guess the north of the island does not have centers of civilization.

I would think that Victoria would have such a locksmith...Vancouver certainly....I had no trouble finding one here. I found it by going to a locksmith that advertised doing classic cars.

Could you find one in Victoria or Vancouver by scouting the yellow pages and just send in the lockset?

[SaltyD from BC]

Could you just weld a flag of sheet steel onto a drill bit the right diameter and then file the wards yourself? Shouldn't be that hard.

Ya I though of that CB, and would do something along those lines if I can't find someone that makes a key that looks the part if ya know what I mean...


I guess the north of the island does not have centers of civilization.

I would think that Victoria would have such a locksmith...Vancouver certainly....I had no trouble finding one here. I found it by going to a locksmith that advertised doing classic cars.

Could you find one in Victoria or Vancouver by scouting the yellow pages and just send in

From your experience I'm thinking I should be able to find someone in Victoria or Van for sure. Maybe even closer, Campbell river or Nanaimo. The key even has a numbered code on it which might help the right guy. :)

[pcford]

From your experience I'm thinking I should be able to find someone in Victoria or Van for sure. Maybe even closer, Campbell river or Nanaimo. The key even has a numbered code on it which might help the right guy. :)

Good luck...of course, be sure the key stock is brass. Can't remember how much the original key cost....additional keys were ten bucks I think.

[DLC]

there is a locksmith in courtny that still does these keys the blank is 20 to30 bucks and he charges 30 an hour to file and fit the key
if you can take him the lock
dlc

[Stephen]

Local locksmith here rumaged thru his old keys and found one that was close and then modified it - all for $20.
One year later I found another copy of the key while scraping the bilge clean - it was embedded in the bilge, right under the old hatch...:rolleyes:

[SaltyD from BC]

there is a locksmith in courtny that still does these keys the blank is 20 to30 bucks and he charges 30 an hour to file and fit the key
if you can take him the lock
dlc

Do you know the name of the 'smith DLC?

[soba]

SaltyD,

Price's on Fort St. will do stuff like that. They did a whacky round brass key for a safe that I had a long while ago. $23 in 1996.

If you mail them the original or even a photocopy of the original, they should be able to make one up.

Or you could cast one from the original...that sounds like fun!

[DLC]

i took mine to price's security locksmiths in campbell river and they sent it to courtney there # is 250-286-0761
dlc

[SaltyD from BC]

Thanks guys :cool:

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-h908HrHPI

:D :D :D

[SaltyD from BC]

Thanks for the tip on skeleton keys Joe, I'm now thinking I only want two skeleton keys in my life. One that fits the lock on the cabin door. And another that fits the lock on the cabin door. :p

[Nicholas Scheuer]

A "skeleton key" is one of those old-fashioned keys which supposedly was modified to be able to work a VARIETY of locks. Other keys are just "old=fashioned keys".

The truth is, only key that will pas the "ward" in the lock will unlock it.

Go see a competent locksmith. He has a drawer full of them.

Moby Nick

[Bob Perkins]

You need an old fashion lock shop - I worked at one as a teen. We had a wall of blanks and they cut the key on a specific machine for those keys. If you call around and ask if they can custom make the keys - that will be all you need.

Good luck -

[Jay Greer]

Here in Port Townsend we have a top notch locksmith that specializes in old locks and keys.

Terry's Lock & Safe
847 W Park Avenue A, Port Townsend, WA 98368

(360) 385-4160
Jay