1965 Door Handle - How to dismantle

[richardACS]

I'm trying to work out the chinese puzzle that is how to dismantle the lockable door handle to send the items away for chromium plating. Unfortunately I don't have the key. Ineed to remove the lock, the escutcheon. Is there a way? Thx in advance.

[olddave]

The FS key no should be stamped on the square shaft. You'll need it to release the lock tumblers.

[richardACS]

Thank you old Dave - very helpful indeed.

I wonder if I can tap in for further info did the 65 cars have a single key operation for the boot, door and ignition?

[Peter Laidler]

I'm sure that with a bit of wiggling while you're pushing the key in and out, any FS series key will allow the tumblers to align for removal.

Forgot to mention earlier but the single key/4x locks was a money saving ploy. Terry Mitchell at MG told me that it was marginally cheaper for them to buy a complete set of locks....., ignition, doors and tailgate with TWO keys that fitted all. Cheaper than 4 individual locks, each with two keys - a total of 8 kets. Not a lot....., but PLENTY over the course of thousands per year on MGB's and Midgets. That'd be a massive saving on the millions of mini's

[Mudhen]

My '65 uses a single key for ignition, door, and boot.

Pat

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

If you are any good at picking locks, you can open an FS set of tumblers by hand.

That's how i got my boot lid open before i found an FS key for my car.

Unlike a later (after say 1950's on) american made car, the mini FS tumbler uses a single sided key cut.

[gogsymac]

If you are any good at picking locks, you can open an FS set of tumblers by hand.

Can I ask what sort of tool or thing you used to do that? I ask because I have the same problem as RIchard. I have tried numerous FS keys in the lock but none seem to work so any lock- picking help would be most helpful.

[Peter Laidler]

I explained how to do it a couple of threads up......... Just slide a half decent/worn FS key in and out fairly quickly, gently twisting it in the direction of opening, while equally gently trying to turn the handle with your other hand. The tumblers will will probably align with the worn-out and unlock. It REALLY is as simple as that

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

I used to work for pop-a-lock, a company that comes and opens your car, or your house, when you call if you've locked your keys in your car or house by accident.

So i was formerly a bonded, trained locksmith for a time. But there are many people who actually pick locks as a hobby.

The early mini tumbler set is a 5 wafer lock set, so you just have to set the location of the five wafers up to turn the tumbler.

You can watch any youtube video on lock picking to pick up the general idea.

Below is an aftermarket mini mania ignition tumbler for a mk1 mini. The wafers only set up- not up and down like newer cars.

As well, a basic hand lock pick set.

I explained how to do it a couple of threads up......... Just slide a half decent/worn FS key in and out fairly quickly, gently twisting it in the direction of opening, while equally gently trying to turn the handle with your other hand. The tumblers will will probably align with the worn-out and unlock. It REALLY is as simple as that

What peter is describing above-
Is basically a lockpicking method called raking.
It's one of the techniques used with a picking tool, but he's doing it with a key.

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

Www.klempfs.com

The above is klemps british bike parts web site. He had a variety of old secondhand FS keys collected for sale- by code. He happened to have the FS917 key i needed for my car. He might have yours.

Enter FS and your key code in the search bar at the top.

I had difficulty being in the US- in finding anyone who could cut an FS key to code, as no one had a UK code for it.

All the UK websites i found to order one cut to code, wanted proof of ownership via a V5. Which i could not provide, being a US resident. So, finding Klempfs bikes was a godsend for me. Saved me from having to have multiple locks and keysets for my car.

[gogsymac]

Thanks Peter and Joel. I did try the key method described by Peter using a good few of the keys I have here. I couldn't get it to work. I'll keep trying though and will have a look at the videos online too.

[Joel Welsh 4769VU]

Thanks Peter and Joel. I did try the key method described by Peter using a good few of the keys I have here. I couldn't get it to work. I'll keep trying though and will have a look at the videos online too.

Good luck with it!

Additionally-

If your car has all the original locks yet-
You can pull the ignition switch, depress the tumbler lock detent pin to remove the tumbler, thereby exposing the fs code on it.
That would let you get a key cut that should then fit your door. If they are all original to the car.

[Peter Laidler]

Not quite relative to the question but in the mid 80's my friend and I designed a modified MG type 'two-way' outer part for the door lock - the barrel - that would not slip or rotate with the key *. Because the new OUTER still used the orignal inner tumbler column, before we could patent our new barrel or outer part, we had to ....... Anyway, we went to see Wilmot Breeden the original lock makers.

Interesting....... They told us that there were only 6 basic formats for the brass spring loaded tumblers that the key operates. BUT each lock only uses 5 of those 6 tumblers. This gives the very basic lock its (just under a) thousand or so variations.

* Like the mini et al door locks, the MG locks were sintered mazak material. But the MG barrel were retained in the door with a spring steel retainer. After a weeks usage, the outer barrel would also start to rotate slightly, while inside, the very hard, spring steel retainer would act as a lathe tool and gradually cut its way around until the whole lock assembly was flopping around like a bulldogs balls.

Incidentally, the handles and locks/keys were all assembled by lots of female out-workers.

[richardACS]

Thank you to all for the tips and experiences, I found an earlier thread concerning a lock company 'Arun Locks' who seems to have some stock of FS keys plus he can also make up new barrels.