Watling Scale original Keys?

ArcadeTechGW

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Donor 5 years: 2012, 2022-2025
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Does anyone have the ability to make copies of the following Watling Scale keys?
TT136
TBD17

I have a unit where the owner has misplaced the keys.

Or a way to pick those locks....
 
Those should be pretty easy to pick. Invest in a $15 set of picks, watch a couple of 10-minute youtube tutorials, and you'll be able to pick them with a little patience. Once you get the core out, you can make a key.

Beats paying a locksmith. And the skill is very reusable, you won't regret the investment.
 
Those should be pretty easy to pick. Invest in a $15 set of picks, watch a couple of 10-minute youtube tutorials, and you'll be able to pick them with a little patience. Once you get the core out, you can make a key.

Beats paying a locksmith. And the skill is very reusable, you won't regret the investment.

Those wafer locks are a pain in the ass. They are able to be picked, but it takes a while. After that, I took the barrel to a reputable locksmith. They tried to make a key and gave up after having it for a couple of weeks. Through trial and error with a blank, I was able to make a usable, but ugly key.
 
This is one of those double-bit keys, like you find on gumball machines or 1940 pinball machine front door locks. I'll try my hand at picking one of those.

I have debated buying a pick set, but it seems like it is warranted at this point. I agree that once we get the lock out, we can get keys made - I did that for my Asteroids game - I had the locks but no keys. The locksmith (Melin's in DeKalb, IL) was able to make keys for $25.
 
Those wafer locks are a pain in the ass. They are able to be picked, but it takes a while. After that, I took the barrel to a reputable locksmith. They tried to make a key and gave up after having it for a couple of weeks. Through trial and error with a blank, I was able to make a usable, but ugly key.

correct you are, the basic $15 amazon-chinese junk pick-lock set will not work on wafer locks, instead go here:


and pick yourself up a set from $12-32 :)
 
Thanks. Any thoughts on how they work? 1 at a time, or 2 or 3 or 4 for more challenging ones? 16 combinations?

I just ordered that set from Sparrows, and the other set from Amazon (It will work better than the paperclips I have been using on occasion).
 
Thanks. Any thoughts on how they work? 1 at a time, or 2 or 3 or 4 for more challenging ones? 16 combinations?

I just ordered that set from Sparrows, and the other set from Amazon (It will work better than the paperclips I have been using on occasion).

awesome! i too purchased a wafer set from sparrows.. but whats funny in my case is i have NO WAFER locks to pick with them! haha :)
 
Well, you can fix that!

Buy a vintage Northwestern Gumball machine. The top lock is a wafer lock.

Buy a 1940's vintage Pinball Machine. Like my Chicago Coin Super score - the front door lock is a wafer lock.

See - easy to fix!

I'll try it out on the locks I have until I'm proficient. I have the keys for these, so I can actually work the lans and see them as they work with the picks. I'm not saying I'll be great at it, but with the visuals, I should be GOOD enough to pick these two for the customer. As long as he'll go the $40/hour.
 
Well, you can fix that!

Buy a vintage Northwestern Gumball machine. The top lock is a wafer lock.
Buy a 1940's vintage Pinball Machine. Like my Chicago Coin Super score - the front door lock is a wafer lock.
See - easy to fix!

I'll try it out on the locks I have until I'm proficient. I have the keys for these, so I can actually work the lans and see them as they work with the picks. I'm not saying I'll be great at it, but with the visuals, I should be GOOD enough to pick these two for the customer. As long as he'll go the $40/hour.

haha yeah, oldest thing I own is an EM pinball from 1974 by Chicago Coin, Dolphin. no wafer locks on that!

anyways, just youtube search for "lock pick wafer locks" and you'll find dozens of videos on wafer lock picking.. some good, some not so good.

here's a few of the better ones:



 
Yeah, I reviewed those this morning. Single pick and jiggle. I'm on it.
 
Update: I got in touch with Bill Berning of Genoa, Illinois (www.pennyscale.com) 815-784-3134

While it isn't advertised on their website, they DO have every single Watling Key on hand and available either for duplication or sale.

So huzzah! I'm local to him (40 minutes away), so I'll go borrow them, get copies made, and then return them to him.

The notes above (phone number, web site) worked on 8/1/2020.
 
Well, this is mind-blowing.

Working with Bill Berning, he suggested I go to Security Lock in Rochelle, and talk with a guy there named George.

Turns out George at Security Lock has an ENTIRE set of brand new, never used Watling Keys.

So if you need a Watling Key, call Security Lock in Rochelle. (815) 562-4648
 
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