(1649) Antique Yale....Gutted

Video 1649 will generate a lot of turmoil.... I gutted (at the owner's request) a beautiful antique Yale padlock because there was something jammed up inside. It worked out OK because we (or at least I) learned how these old locks work. Definitely NOT a simple warded mechanism!

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[brianhignett]

Bill, We used to make keys for these Yale padlocks ( when the keys were lost ) back when I was an apprentice 60 odd years ago. Here's how it was done. Firstly the tiny brass keyway spinner plate is removed - if it's done carefully and you're lucky, it can be replaced, although not technically necessary.This has to be removed to allow two tools to enter the keyway. Using a "T" shaped warded padlock "skeleton" pick, tension is applied to the locking bolt down the rear of the padlock. Using a shallow curved pin tumbler pick, and pressing on the 5 levers from BOTH sides, the lock can be picked open - there are no false gates, and is easier than you think. Once open the levers are now solid due to the locking bolt in their gates. The key can now be impressioned by turning towards the locking direction as the levers become solid wards. Unless this procedure is followed, it's virtually impossible to impression a key, as you are impressioning five movable levers. Regards, Brian.

[peha]

I have two similar locks without for sacrifice one, so I could see how it looks inside. But a little part of me died today, with that millingmachine.

[FriedPi-mcyt]

Oh man...
This breaks my heart. Neat to see what’s inside... but still.... very sad.

[lockmakeryorkscavr]

Thanks Bill. This one had been in my naughty bucket for a while. Between your video here and LockNoob's "2 Picks = 1 Key: Yale Warded Lever Padlock Picked", I was able to open in a few seconds, disassemble, clean, and make a key. I'd assumed it was a simple warded lock!

[Skrubb_Lord]

I think we all died a little on the inside.

[matthewellisor]

I shed a tear at that beautiful body being milled away but I think it was worth it to learn of the beauty therein contained. Thanks Bill!
Any thoughts on making a polycarbonate body for the guts? Now that would make a nice display!

[DonzLockz]

A real shame but cool to see the autopsy results. Very interesting.✌😎

[joezuccardo]

Hello Bosnianbill, it was a nice lock but no great loss as Yale made millions of these locks from 1" up 3" wide from the early 1900s to the mid 1970s My father had a hardware store and sold many of these locks. Yale also made pin tumbler locks similar to these called the 800 series His store closed in the mid 1970s but I still have some of these locks & some old Yale catalogs from his store, Thanks for showing the inside of these locks

[timbober]

So cool to see, thank you! It’s a shame it’s gone but it’s all documented.
You are at your best when you are in professor mode Bill. I’ve learned so much from your channel and website.

[kend]

Just found this identical lock passed down Generations locally.. This is much appreciated, I also had NO key and NO context as to what I am dealing with! Thanks friend!

[bradw]

Sometimes the sacrifice is necessary for the benefit of the greater good! Appreciate you giving us an in depth look Bill!

[crovax]

It's such a rare opportunity to do destructive testing on pieces like this. I'm glad that you documented it so thoroughly

[AaronBStephens]

Very cool mechanism. Thanks for doing the teardown and sharing.

[magiclocks]

Although I was sad to see that lock destroyed I am glad to see what was inside so I can start figuring out how to open mine non-destructively. Thanks Bill.

[michaelgiannes]

surely the patent would tell us what we need to know! Gotta follow the instructions of the donor though

[penfold]

Thanks for this bill. I have a very similar yale bronze lock and I think it might have the same lever type mechanism. However, mine has two locking palls next to each other on the one locking side. It also locked just by pushing it locked (which I foolishly clicked shut before examining it closer!) but then like this one here, once it's locked, the locking palls are fixed. Seeing inside of this goes a long way to explain why I've only thus far been able to pick one of the palls. Mine seems to have an actuator nib right at the back of the lock behind a blocking plate, so it's possible your friend was trying to make a tool to fit behind that plate to unlock it, and also like me, thought that bypassing the gated wards would get it open. At least I know now that I need to pick the levers while pulling on the shackle like I have been (but on both sides - I thought I was picking leaf springs) and whilst maintaing shackle tension, take that tool out and manipulate the two actuator nibs at the back to get an open. ...which is annoyingly tricky because the locking palls at this point act like little hooks pulling down on the shackle and locking at least one of those locking palls again - resetting the levers on that side. It is truly a VERY frustrating lock to pick and way ahead of the technology of locks when it was made (at a guess around 1930 or so - though the outer style looks 1880's -probably either tradition or to fool people). The lock body on mine is about 2inch square and has a clubs sign on one face and callipers on the other. Again, thankyou and you friend so much for clearing up some of the mystery of its inner workings.

[electronicsNmore]

So nice having a milling machine on hand.

[AThreeDogNight]

Someone was trying to make them a key I'd guess. Very cool lock. Thanks Greg for the schooling & Bill as well.

[by]

I will bet the key itself was made of bronze too, it wan't included because this old lock had been so used/abused and warn that the key just stopped working itself. Sad to see it go, but probably was at end of life anyway!

[scrappinbig]

I don't know but if it was me I would have punched out the bronze pins first and then tried to take it apart . Oh well you did what the owner told you to do , it did look to be a very good padlock.