How to Measure a Mortise Cylinder

Please find this product at absupply.net
This short video answers the common question of "How to measure the length of a mortise cylinder".
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All mortise cylinder at least in my experience are always measured from the under side of the head to the back of the cylinder including the cam or tail piece.
So the underside of the head is to the end of the side of the head of your cylinder or your tape measure extended all the way back including the cam. This happens to be a standard cam, you can have any different cam, the measurement will always be determined in the same way.
This cylinder measure from the underside of the head to the back of the cam 1 1/8".
This is the length of the cylinder.
This is 1 1/8" because i know the manufacturer stock number tells me is 1 1/8" which is verified by the fact that i measured.
That's how is done regards of the manufacturer regard of the cylinder type, cam type, key way, quantity of cuts on the key, how is drilled in terms of pins.
If there is any questions about how to measure the length of mortise cylinder or any other technical question at all please feel free to reach out to us.
Thank you very much!

[@olivertanner8537]

It may be a simple thing, but I appreciate that the answer is out there. Thank you.

[@marianghioda]

Thanks buddy!

[@WahooLee]

It also helps to know that mortise cylinders are only available in 1/8 inch increments, at least here in the USA. The shortest 5-pin cylinders are 1", the shortest 6-pin cylinders are 1-1/8", the most common are 1-1/4", and longer standard sizes are 1-3/8" and 1-1/2". Specially ordered cylinders can be made up in even longer lengths if needed.

[@absupplynet]

Thanks for contributing and this is mostly but not totally accurate. 7/8", 15/16" in 5 - pin are common and we can manufacturer any length, even 1-7/16" for instance, if needed.

[@WahooLee]

RICHARD HOWARD You're right, of course. It's been a generation since I worked outside the commercial-institutional realm. I even remember seeing some really short 3-pin cyls used on Welsh brand gate locks.

[@absupplynet]

and that 4 - pin 3/4" length Kaba Ilco makes is not that uncommon either - again, thank you for contributing.

[@dlean214]

Hey Rich great simple video! wondering if you could tell me if could use any brand cylinder I have a marks cylinder now and looking to put in a Baldwin. If you have any other recommendations it would be greatly appreciated.

[@absupplynet]

What lockset do you require this mortise cylinder for?

[@1105pitbull]

So that's the length but what about the diameter of the cylinder? They can't be all the same there are they?

[@absupplynet]

They are not. Common builders hardware mortise cylinder diameters are 1--5/32". But there are peanut cylinders at 3/4", builders hardware cylinders that are 1-5/32", Master Ring (jumbo) that are 1-1/2" and mogul cylinders that are 2".

[@cam7724]

from the back of the Head.... not including the cam

[@absupplynet]

Mortise cylinders are most certainly measured from the underside of the head to the back of the cylinder including the cam.