[VAC] Re: deadbolt, and rekeying a lockset

["Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxx>]

The Bargman L-100 fits the same hole as the Cheslar T-5. I found the
long yoke (long bolt) at the Airstream dealer at St. Louis. Lock (with
round knobs) and long yoke cost about $65. I was quoted a much higher
price with the long yoke installed in the lock. I've not yet made the
change in my '68 Caravel. I still like the idea of the dead bolt in the
wall.

They also had key blanks to fit the Cheslar lock, but no information to
cut a key to fit my old Cheslar lock. Once I install the dead bolt, I
may decide to polish the zits off the original handles and sell my new
Bargman and long yoke, but it will be months before I make that
decision. The cylinder is not frozen, I can wiggle it with an old Ford
key. I suppose that any locksmith good enough to get the cylinder out
can make a key to fit. It sure would be easier with a key code like a
car lock. The outside handle is held to the shaft with a pin driven into
a blind hole. It may take drilling from the opposite side to allow
removing the pin.


Locksmiths don't like to fiddle with the cylinders in T-handles.
Generally those are disk rather than pin tumblers and not terribly picky
about the key, nor made in a wide variety of keys. If I could talk them
into changing the cylinders in T-handles I'd have my whole collection
keyed alike to reduce the assortment of keys in my pocket to be
confused.

Gerald J.