Author Topic: Hardening a lock plate?  (Read 3329 times)

pushboater

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Hardening a lock plate?
« on: June 12, 2013, 06:18:42 PM »
After drilling, tapping, soldering, etc....are lock plates normally hardened to reduce wear around the tumbler? If so, what is the proper procedure?

Capt. David

Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2013, 06:25:30 PM »
You can't harden them if you did any soldering, because the hardening process involves heating the part, and quenching it.

                   Hungry Horse

pushboater

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2013, 06:51:51 PM »
What was I thinking. I guess I just needed someone to remind me. Getting old isn't any fun.

Capt. David

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2013, 07:53:20 PM »
It occurs to me, though I have never done it, that the wear area is around the tumbler hole, so why not simply case harden that area.  With an oxy/acet torch and some Kasenit or some such, one could heat sink the area soldered - I assume the pan - and harden just the hole and its vacinity.  Or harden that area alone first, then solder on the pan, again protecting the cased area with a heat sink.
D. Taylor Sapergia
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Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline LRB

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2013, 08:10:27 PM »
  I have wondered about the many lock plates that are of 4140 steel. They can be hardened to around 58 Rc without case hardening. Then tempered back to a  working hardness of 55 Rc.  Better than nothing maybe?

ironwolf

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2013, 09:08:01 PM »
  Aren't most commercial locks made of 8620? 

  K

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2013, 10:33:13 PM »
The plates and hammers and top jaws usually are 8620.
In years past,they might be anything. I have tried to
straighten lock plates and had the shatter like glass.
I still prefer to make my own percussion lock plates but
a flint plate would be expensive.

Bob Roller

Offline T*O*F

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2013, 10:44:59 PM »
Quote
I still prefer to make my own percussion lock plates but
a flint plate would be expensive.
Only if it had a non-removable pan.
Dave Kanger

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Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Hardening a lock plate?
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2013, 10:47:59 PM »
TOF,
Still a PITA.Been there done that 50 years ago.

Bob Roller