Building locks from a set of castings

[rabjr]

Is there anyone who offers this service? If I had a set of castings, is there anyone I can send them to that would build the lock and do it right?

 

[Zonie]

If you haven't already bought the castings (I assume you are talking about a Silar lock Lock Kit) you would be better off to pay the few bucks more and buy a finished lock.

I have built these lock kits before and they turned out fine, but if I were to charge you for the time envolved in filing, sanding, fitting, tapping etc, my time alone would cost you more than the whole finished lock from someone who is set up to do this kind of work.

If you already have the castings, I will have to say, sorry, but at the moment, I don't have enought time to work on your lock.

 

[rabjr]

This would be TRS castings.

 

[Leonredbeard]

Swamp Rat,
What lock is it? I have put the German 535 wheellock together from TRS. But like Zonie, I would have to have $1000 to make me do it for someone else. My advice is to take a long look at your cast parts. Eventually you will begin to understand how it goes together and in what succession to put the parts on. Then, take a very deep and long breath, and start putting one part on at a time. Take your time. It is a worthwhile project just for the learning.
God bless.
volatpluvia

 

[rich pierce]

In the past I built about a half dozen lock "kits" and am now about to put together a TRS Dutch lock that is not a kit at all but is castings of the major parts. This lock is very big and the set of castings did not come with screws etc, not even the top jaw screw for the cock. I've been advised to make my own springs for TRS castings and will probably do so. I'm planning on 20 hours of work including the forging of springs, making lock screws to fit etc. to get this one working. Probably 15 hours w/o that (I go very slowly and carefully with springs and usually have to make a jig). So, it's not something anyone could afford to pay for. I've seen their locks go for around $200 or more assembled. So that would be in the neighborhood of $5 and hour return for labor. Of course, making 10 of them would be easier per piece. And who knows, it may take me longer than I expect.

 

[rabjr]

I'm looking at one of their fancy French locks for a future project...I was born in Verdun to American parents and feel the need to build a rifle that is all French...really like the work of Nicholas Boutet. He presented Napoleon with a beautiful little rifle that I would like to just about copy with a couple minor changes.

I could probably construct one but the heat treating parts scare me. I do everything sitting down as I'm in a wheel chair so I try hard to avoid playing with any kind of heat/fire. Besides, heat treating is something I've never done and don't know the first thing about. It's something best left to those that do.

 

[rich pierce]

If you can do the rest I can heat treat everything for you.

 

[rabjr]

Thank you Mr Pierce, I just might take you up on that offer if I do this.

 

[Boer]

To anyone considering building a lock from castings this may be worthwhile. Manton lock building page