The flat spring is placed in the grove then the brass is squeezed or hammered shut to hold it. It will need spread open a bit to remove the broken “spring steel”. Flat and round spring steel can be bought online. I am a specialty locksmith that fixes a lot of these. Nice work and thanks for sharing this
1. Regarding the sawed off deadbolt... you could square the remaining end with a file, then drill and tap the remaining end, then perhaps add a square piece of metal to the end (with machine screws) for the bolt. 2. HPC sells a kit of flat metal spring steel which will work to replace your spring.
Everything about that cylinder says Russwin. The adjustable cylinder length by screw on back of cylinder. The ball bearings as bottom tumbler pins, the keyway appears to be Russwin family. Much like the off-name of SAFE 194-WBL Night Latch, again, ball bearings as bottom tumblers, another subsidy of Corbin-Russwin family, sold in local hardware stores back when times were normal. Love these vintage locks. I would have done everything in my power to reuse original cylinder. I am sure you could have had a key (s) made for it. All under the Emhart family.
You're right! Actually I didn't conclude the video with what happened but the cylinder I purchased didn't fit as it was a little too short. I took the original Russwin cylinder to a local locksmith who rekeyed it for me and it works a charm now!
Appreciate seeing your video of the old RHC mortise lockset you are refurbishing. How did your project turn out? We have a RHC set that appears to be the same or a very similar one in the front door of our 1920 house here in Rhode Island. The door set is functional - Latch/door knob, deadbolt activates from inside, buttons appear to work correctly to secure or leave latch working. The only thing we cannot do is lock the deadbolt from the outside since (I assume) there was no key for the original Reading cylinder. We have used a separate modern deadbolt lock that was installed before we bought the house. That modern cylinder is wearing out, so we too are interested in removing it and exclusively using the RHC set. Do you have any suggestions for sourcing parts, springs especially, door knobs (clear fluted tulip shaped glass) or other substitutes you have used? What process did you use for cleaning the hardware? I have not removed the mortise set yet. Did you get the original cylinder rekeyed? We originally were told that this could not be done, but understand this may actually be possible. We found a Gibson cylinder that matches the Reading, got it keyed to match our other doors and installed it in the mortise set. This is where we have hit a snag. The deadbolt will engage with the new cylinder, but will not remain locked when the key is turned back for removal. I suspect this may be a spring problem. When using the inside turn knob to lock the deadbolt, the bolt only engages part way. Pushing on the end of the bolt (with the door open) the bolt will eventually pop out fully. Any thoughts about this? Thanks
It turned out great in the end! I ended up rekeying the original Baldwin cylinder at my local locksmith for $10. The new deadbolt from eBay worked great, although I had to file down one part of it as it wasn't engaging as it should. As for sourcing parts, I completely lucked out on eBay getting the replacement deadbolt. For the leaf springs you may be able to scavenge parts from other locks at a local antique hardware salvage store. You might also be able to fabricate the leaf springs with metal from your local hardware store. For cleaning I took out all the parts, gave them all a wipe down and put them back in with some lithium grease on contact parts. Not sure about your locking issue. I would try playing with the lock and key when it's off the door and try and figure out which specific parts aren't working as they should.
I have an old RHC mortise box with thumb knob (for our bathroom), missing a bunch of internal parts such that the two knobs work to release the door, but the locking mechanism does not. Anyone here know of anyone in the business of re-building these? Preferably in the Oakland, CA area, but also willing to ship.
The most helpful place I found was Ohmega Salvage in San Pablo Ave in Berkeley but I know they've since downsized. Your best bet is probably to find the missing parts or a similar lock on eBay and then take it to a locksmith if you don't want to give it a try yourself. That said I'm sure there are some places out there who you could ship it to.... If it's a smaller lock you might be able to find a replacement that would fit in its place but that wasn't really an option for me as it is a big front door.
@@bayareabrit Thanks for the prompt reply! Yes, I was down at Omega Salvage yesterday. They have *tons* of mortise boxes of *many* different sizes. Unfortunately, almost all of them are key boxes; I need thumbturn. The search continues...
@@bayareabrit i am actually looking for the screw that holds cylinder in place…screw broke. I know its a left hand thread but no luck finding replacement. Any leads?
The flat spring is placed in the grove then the brass is squeezed or hammered shut to hold it. It will need spread open a bit to remove the broken “spring steel”. Flat and round spring steel can be bought online. I am a specialty locksmith that fixes a lot of these. Nice work and thanks for sharing this
Hi. Where are you located? See my comment above.
1. Regarding the sawed off deadbolt... you could square the remaining end with a file, then drill and tap the remaining end, then perhaps add a square piece of metal to the end (with machine screws) for the bolt. 2. HPC sells a kit of flat metal spring steel which will work to replace your spring.
Everything about that cylinder says Russwin. The adjustable cylinder length by screw on back of cylinder. The ball bearings as bottom tumbler pins, the keyway appears to be Russwin family.
Much like the off-name of SAFE 194-WBL Night Latch, again, ball bearings as bottom tumblers, another subsidy of Corbin-Russwin family, sold in local hardware stores back when times were normal. Love these vintage locks. I would have done everything in my power to reuse original cylinder. I am sure you could have had a key (s) made for it. All under the Emhart family.
You're right! Actually I didn't conclude the video with what happened but the cylinder I purchased didn't fit as it was a little too short. I took the original Russwin cylinder to a local locksmith who rekeyed it for me and it works a charm now!
A Bobby pin works great for the tension spring
Appreciate seeing your video of the old RHC mortise lockset you are refurbishing. How did your project turn out? We have a RHC set that appears to be the same or a very similar one in the front door of our 1920 house here in Rhode Island. The door set is functional - Latch/door knob, deadbolt activates from inside, buttons appear to work correctly to secure or leave latch working. The only thing we cannot do is lock the deadbolt from the outside since (I assume) there was no key for the original Reading cylinder. We have used a separate modern deadbolt lock that was installed before we bought the house. That modern cylinder is wearing out, so we too are interested in removing it and exclusively using the RHC set.
Do you have any suggestions for sourcing parts, springs especially, door knobs (clear fluted tulip shaped glass) or other substitutes you have used?
What process did you use for cleaning the hardware? I have not removed the mortise set yet.
Did you get the original cylinder rekeyed? We originally were told that this could not be done, but understand this may actually be possible. We found a Gibson cylinder that matches the Reading, got it keyed to match our other doors and installed it in the mortise set. This is where we have hit a snag. The deadbolt will engage with the new cylinder, but will not remain locked when the key is turned back for removal. I suspect this may be a spring problem. When using the inside turn knob to lock the deadbolt, the bolt only engages part way. Pushing on the end of the bolt (with the door open) the bolt will eventually pop out fully. Any thoughts about this? Thanks
It turned out great in the end! I ended up rekeying the original Baldwin cylinder at my local locksmith for $10. The new deadbolt from eBay worked great, although I had to file down one part of it as it wasn't engaging as it should. As for sourcing parts, I completely lucked out on eBay getting the replacement deadbolt. For the leaf springs you may be able to scavenge parts from other locks at a local antique hardware salvage store. You might also be able to fabricate the leaf springs with metal from your local hardware store. For cleaning I took out all the parts, gave them all a wipe down and put them back in with some lithium grease on contact parts.
Not sure about your locking issue. I would try playing with the lock and key when it's off the door and try and figure out which specific parts aren't working as they should.
Anyone have leads on a replacement interior strike plate for the same RHC mortise lock?
I have an old RHC mortise box with thumb knob (for our bathroom), missing a bunch of internal parts such that the two knobs work to release the door, but the locking mechanism does not. Anyone here know of anyone in the business of re-building these? Preferably in the Oakland, CA area, but also willing to ship.
The most helpful place I found was Ohmega Salvage in San Pablo Ave in Berkeley but I know they've since downsized. Your best bet is probably to find the missing parts or a similar lock on eBay and then take it to a locksmith if you don't want to give it a try yourself. That said I'm sure there are some places out there who you could ship it to.... If it's a smaller lock you might be able to find a replacement that would fit in its place but that wasn't really an option for me as it is a big front door.
@@bayareabrit Thanks for the prompt reply! Yes, I was down at Omega Salvage yesterday. They have *tons* of mortise boxes of *many* different sizes. Unfortunately, almost all of them are key boxes; I need thumbturn. The search continues...
In your video there is a part I need for a Reading mortise lock. The screw that hold the cylinder in place. Anyone sell small parts
Are u still looking for it?
@@bayareabrit i am actually looking for the screw that holds cylinder in place…screw broke. I know its a left hand thread but no luck finding replacement. Any leads?
I have that same lock and have parts
Parts for sale? need screw that locks in cylinder and strike plate?
Interestedis selling the other bolt?
As in the one that's sawn off? I have it if you're interested
🤦🏻♂️