My First BRAMAH-ish Lock

femurat · 2015-08-20T07:12:33+00:00

I’ve always wanted a BRAMAH but never had an excuse to buy one. Now I’m thinking to build a small wooden jewelry box for my girlfriend, and give her its key to wear as a necklace. So I saw this lock for sale on a popular UK auctions site, and bought it. After a few weeks I got it and was very excited. The lock is missing the key so I need one. First of all I disassembled it and took some pictures and measurements. The keyhole is 5 mm in diameter, the key stem may be long 3 mm, the hole in the key stem should be 2 mm in diameter. All the 4 sliders are working, on the first one there’s a bit of wear where it contacts the key. The spring is nice and strong. I think finding a key is quite difficult, so I need to make one. I just need some brass, a couple needle files and some time. Hope to update the thread soon. Any info about the lock age and model? Cheers 🙂

femurat

I tried to glue the piece back in place so I lifted it slightly and put some glue in the crack. Then put a piece of plastic around it and clamped between two other pieces to keep it straight. Then I added another clamp on top (not pictured) and let it dry overnight.

This morning I took the clamps off and, to my surprise, it looks like new! I just need to clean the glue that squeezed out.

Cheers 🙂

femurat

I sanded and glued the box, then mounted the lock and the hinges and strike to the lid. The box is starting to assume its final form.
Took it apart again and gave it the first coat of paint. It’ll look like light walnut wood once finished.

Cheers 🙂

Timothy

WOW! need job of all the work you did. It nice as you showing all the work step by step of how it was done…..Timothy…..

Huw Eastwood

The box looks great and glad you rescued it when it split. Walnut stain was a great choice it always brings the wood grain ‘alive’ in a nice colour. Don’t know why but for some reason I thought the key was tiny, but seeing it in the box the bow looks a lot bigger :-)

femurat

Thanks for the compliments guys. I like to show the process, this way I feel like I’m not working alone.
The key bow actually is a bit bigger than I thought, in fact I reduced it in the final model. The bow external diameter was 3 cm and now is 2.5 cm (1 inch).

The 3D printed key arrived yesterday. This morning I was so excited I woke up at 5 so I could file the bittings without my girlfriend noticing.
First of all I smoothed the hole on the tip by hand: I rotated a drill bit with my fingers against the hole a few times. This should help centering the key.
I carefully filed the slots with the needle file, copying the steel key, but left them a bit shallow. Then I finished them one by one while checking the key every few strokes. Now the key works very smoothly.

Now I need to find a place that can chrome it to protect it properly.

Cheers 🙂

femurat

While the key is waiting to be chromed I can continue to work on the box.
I was looking for alcantara but found a reasonably priced piece of true leather so I bought it. I cut a big cross with the sides long as the inner part of the box. Covered the box with glue, using a spatula to make it flat and uniform, and then carefully placed the leather inside. At the corners it overlaps a little.
I put a piece of cardboard on the bottom and used something heavy I had handy to keep it down.
Then I placed some thin plywood pieces to keep the leather flat on the sides and, as I usually do with wood, clamped it well. Dunno if this is the proper technique to glue leather and wood, but looks like it worked.
Now I need to cut the excess with a sharp knife.

Cheers 🙂

femurat

Here is the finished box. I had some alignment issues but it’s fixed now. I was told it’s not nice to give an empty box as a present, so I got a bracelet to go with it.
I’m so proud of my chromed key 😃:

I hope she appreciate it.

Cheers 🙂

mercury

Great work, both the box & the key look fantastic, you should be proud of them both. I’ve enjoyed following your progress with them.

Taking the time to make the box and key yourself, rather than buying her an off the shelf present takes a lot more effort & carries additional meaning. I’m sure your girlfriend will really appreciate it!

Well done!

…Mark

Timothy

Good Job… Was thinking maybe should put your name and date on the box. That way they will know who make it and the date that was born…Timothy…

Ant

hi ya great job you’ve done on that box and the key too. Its no mean feat cutting even a simple key for one of those ; believe; me I know just how awkward it is!

femurat

Thanks for the compliments. I wrote the date and signed the bottom of the box. Only regret is I didn’t engraved her name on the key. It could have been an even more unique necklace.

Cheers 🙂

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