• Re: 5-lever mortice lock occasionally jams

    From Abandoned Trolley@that.bloke@microsoft.com to uk.d-i-y on Sun Apr 26 08:00:05 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it first
    anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may solve the
    problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside a lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one of
    the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Fredxx@fredxx@spam.invalid to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 11:34:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it first
    anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may solve the
    problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside a
    lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one of
    the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can un-jam a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is likely a
    component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily) replaceable parts.
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Abandoned Trolley@that.bloke@microsoft.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 13:38:05 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y



    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily) replaceable parts.


    If that was true then they would assemble it with rivets instead of screws
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe@joe@jretrading.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 15:12:12 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On Fri, 1 May 2026 11:34:39 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it first
    anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may solve
    the problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside
    a lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one
    of the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can un-jam
    a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is likely a
    component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily) replaceable parts.

    uk.d-i-y, right?
    --
    Joe

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Fredxx@fredxx@spam.invalid to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 15:21:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 01/05/2026 15:12, Joe wrote:
    On Fri, 1 May 2026 11:34:39 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it first
    anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may solve
    the problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside
    a lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one
    of the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can un-jam
    a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is likely a
    component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily)
    replaceable parts.

    uk.d-i-y, right?

    Changing a lock is DIY. Well for some at least. I regard it as a trivial process.

    I would be taking the lock apart out of interest if anything but
    conscious a replacement is perhaps a better solution than trying to fix something that is heavily worn.

    YMMV

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 19:45:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 01/05/2026 11:34, Fredxx wrote:
    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it first
    anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may solve the
    problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside a
    lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one of
    the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can un-jam a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is likely a
    component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily) replaceable parts.

    I recently took a lock apart and found one of the springs has slipped
    out of position.
    I persuaded it back into place and re-assembled (lubrication judiciously applied whilst I had the thing open).
    No further problems - and I am a fairly fumble-fingered occasional DIY-er.

    After all, if it hadn't worked, I would then have to buy that
    replacement - so there was no good reason not to at least have a go.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Sam Plusnet@not@home.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 19:48:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 01/05/2026 15:21, Fredxx wrote:
    On 01/05/2026 15:12, Joe wrote:
    On Fri, 1 May 2026 11:34:39 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time

    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it first >>>>>>> anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may solve
    the problem.


    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside
    a lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one
    of the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can un-jam
    a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is likely a
    component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily)
    replaceable parts.

    uk.d-i-y, right?

    Changing a lock is DIY. Well for some at least. I regard it as a trivial process.

    I would be taking the lock apart out of interest if anything but
    conscious a replacement is perhaps a better solution than trying to fix something that is heavily worn.

    YMMV

    Heavily worn? That could be the case I suppose - but you can only
    determine that if you take it apart.
    --
    Sam Plusnet
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Joe@joe@jretrading.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 19:57:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On Fri, 1 May 2026 15:21:14 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 01/05/2026 15:12, Joe wrote:
    On Fri, 1 May 2026 11:34:39 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it
    first anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may
    solve the problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside
    a lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one
    of the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can
    un-jam a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is
    likely a component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather
    than open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no
    (easily) replaceable parts.

    uk.d-i-y, right?

    Changing a lock is DIY. Well for some at least. I regard it as a
    trivial process.

    I would be taking the lock apart out of interest if anything but
    conscious a replacement is perhaps a better solution than trying to
    fix something that is heavily worn.

    YMMV

    And fitting a new lock that's slightly larger or doesn't have the
    keyhole in quite the right place? I've done that, and I'd expect it to
    be a lot more work than dismantling the lock and cleaning it, which is
    likely to fix the problem. The older the lock, the smaller the chance
    of getting an exact replacement. Euro-cylinder, yes, but 5-lever, no.

    This is a domestic environment. I've had a moderately-priced 5-lever
    locked and unlocked at least once a day on nearly all days for the last
    forty years, and there is no sign of hesitation or need to wiggle the
    key. I have had it apart and cleaned and lubricated it in that time, but
    only once.
    --
    Joe

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Bob Eager@throwaway0008@eager.cx to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 19:01:20 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On Fri, 01 May 2026 15:21:14 +0100, Fredxx wrote:

    Changing a lock is DIY. Well for some at least. I regard it as a trivial process.

    I would be taking the lock apart out of interest if anything but
    conscious a replacement is perhaps a better solution than trying to fix something that is heavily worn.

    The lock on our inner frint door (well, the door catch) stopped holding
    the door shut.

    Pretty sure it's original, so 120 years old.

    Trying to get one that didn't involve carpentry (nonstandard setback, different holes) would have been a pain. Solved it by shimming the worn
    part!
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From The Natural Philosopher@tnp@invalid.invalid to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 20:05:42 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 01/05/2026 19:45, Sam Plusnet wrote:
    I recently took a lock apart and found one of the springs has slipped
    out of position.
    I recently have taken a lock apart and found one of the springs has
    slipped ...
    I recently took a lock apart and found one of the springs had slipped.
    ...Make up your mind...
    --
    The difference bweteen a psychopath and a saint is that the psychpoath
    takes what he can and gives only what he must, but the saint gives
    everything he can and takes only what he needs.



    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From nib@news@ingram-bromley.co.uk to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 1 20:26:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 2026-05-01 19:57, Joe wrote:
    On Fri, 1 May 2026 15:21:14 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 01/05/2026 15:12, Joe wrote:
    On Fri, 1 May 2026 11:34:39 +0100
    Fredxx <fredxx@spam.invalid> wrote:

    On 26/04/2026 08:00, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 25/04/2026 16:51, Fredxx wrote:
    On 21/04/2026 07:07, Abandoned Trolley wrote:
    On 20/04/2026 21:37, Chris Hogg wrote:
    On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:17:48 +0100, Abandoned Trolley
    <that.bloke@microsoft.com> wrote:

    spraying anything through the keyhole is a waste of time


    But it's so quick and simple to do that it's worth doing it
    first anyway. It may do nothing, as you imply, but it just may >>>>>>>> solve the problem.



    ok - so a waste of not much time ?

    The whole point of a fine spray is that it gets everywhere inside
    a lock mechanism. There really is nothing to lose.


    I agree, but if the problem is a broken or misplaced spring on one
    of the levers then you are not going to find out by doing that

    I think that you are in effect confirming is that a spray can
    un-jam a mechanism but if the lock still fails to work there is
    likely a component failure.

    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather
    than open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no
    (easily) replaceable parts.

    uk.d-i-y, right?

    Changing a lock is DIY. Well for some at least. I regard it as a
    trivial process.

    I would be taking the lock apart out of interest if anything but
    conscious a replacement is perhaps a better solution than trying to
    fix something that is heavily worn.

    YMMV

    And fitting a new lock that's slightly larger or doesn't have the
    keyhole in quite the right place? I've done that, and I'd expect it to
    be a lot more work than dismantling the lock and cleaning it, which is
    likely to fix the problem. The older the lock, the smaller the chance
    of getting an exact replacement. Euro-cylinder, yes, but 5-lever, no.

    This is a domestic environment. I've had a moderately-priced 5-lever
    locked and unlocked at least once a day on nearly all days for the last
    forty years, and there is no sign of hesitation or need to wiggle the
    key. I have had it apart and cleaned and lubricated it in that time, but
    only once.


    That's my problem! I have a 7-lever Chubb on my front door which is
    still working after 40 years, except for one key which seemed to have
    worn more that the others. I can't find any replacement that will fit.
    All of the 5-levers are different in outline and have the key hole in a
    quite different place.

    Chasing out the door didn't seem much of a job back then, but I've not
    quite got round to filling/recutting now!

    nib
    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Indy Jess John@bathwatchdog@OMITTHISgooglemail.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 8 00:39:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 01/05/2026 13:38, Abandoned Trolley wrote:


    In which case the OP is advised to simply change the lock rather than
    open the lock that is not designed to be repaired and has no (easily)
    replaceable parts.


    If that was true then they would assemble it with rivets instead of screws

    I don't think it was true either. I have had a 5-lever Chubb mortice
    lock on my front door for nearly 50 years. About 30 years ago my wife discovered that her keys which were in her pocket when she went out were
    no longer in her pocket when she got back home. I wasn't happy with
    having keys somewhere out there, so I took the mortice lock from the
    door and took it to a locksmith where they opened it, took the existing
    lever set out, put a different lever set in and reassembled the case,
    then gave me two keys that would work the new lever set. It was
    surprisingly cheap. I went home, put the mortice lock back in the door
    and it has worked with the replacement keys ever since.

    --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Abandoned Trolley@that.bloke@microsoft.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 8 08:55:58 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y


    I don't think it was true either.-a I have had a 5-lever Chubb mortice
    lock on my front door for nearly 50 years.-a About 30 years ago my wife discovered that her keys which were in her pocket when she went out were
    no longer in her pocket when she got back home.-a I wasn't happy with
    having keys somewhere out there, so I took the mortice lock from the
    door and took it to a locksmith where they opened it, took the existing lever set out, put a different lever set in and reassembled the case,
    then gave me two keys that would work the new lever set.-a It was surprisingly cheap.-a I went home, put the mortice lock back in the door
    and it has worked with the replacement keys ever since.




    My local locksmith does something similar

    He has a massive tray set out like a print typesetters tray which is
    full of various levers so he can make up any combination you like

    I imagine there must be some source of levers in the trade as I doubt if
    they all came from dismantled locks


    He will also sell you a set of locks which all have the same key
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Max Demian@max_demian@bigfoot.com to uk.d-i-y on Fri May 8 11:34:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.d-i-y

    On 08/05/2026 08:55, Abandoned Trolley wrote:

    I don't think it was true either.-a I have had a 5-lever Chubb mortice
    lock on my front door for nearly 50 years.-a About 30 years ago my wife
    discovered that her keys which were in her pocket when she went out
    were no longer in her pocket when she got back home.-a I wasn't happy
    with having keys somewhere out there, so I took the mortice lock from
    the door and took it to a locksmith where they opened it, took the
    existing lever set out, put a different lever set in and reassembled
    the case, then gave me two keys that would work the new lever set.-a It
    was surprisingly cheap.-a I went home, put the mortice lock back in the
    door and it has worked with the replacement keys ever since.

    My local locksmith does something similar

    He has a massive tray set out like a print typesetters tray which is
    full of various levers so he can make up any combination you like

    I imagine there must be some source of levers in the trade as I doubt if they all came from dismantled locks

    He could just rearrange the existing levers and make keys to fit.
    --
    Max Demian
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2