Unusually large key - need a copy cut. Where?

[Spamfree!]

I've got a very old front door which is locked by a large mortice key (and, sadly, a Yale lock for the insurance people). Does anyone know where I should go for a copy?

Regards to group.

[Set Square]

Well it's no use going to the sort of place which mends shoes and cuts keys - try a proper locksmith. Look in the Yellow Pages for one in your area.

[Colin Wilson]

At a push, if you have a metal works / fabrication place locally, it might make for an interesting change for them !

[Bill]

In message , Spamfree! writes

A proper locksmiths!!!!!!!!

I was in one in St. Neots, Cambs. a few weeks ago and he was showing me a key he had just made for an old church door lock. The key was a work of art.

[meow2222]

Yup. Or the large keys I had could probably be DIYed.

NT

[chris_doran]

Yes, this _is_ uk.d-i-y ... The one for our church door is made in steel with woodworking techniques: The shaft and a handle (rather than a ring) are a T of a rod with a mortise-and-tenon at the top. The blade (if that's the right term) is filed out of a 3/16" thick one inch square, likewise mortised into the shaft. It used to be impressive wandering around with it in hand, but fire regs say we're not allowed to lock the doors any more, which the local tealeaves find handy.

Chris

[Chris Bacon]

What sort of lock is it again? Have you a picture? It may be a simple ward lock, in which case making a key is very easy. You could even make a nice complicated (looking!) key. If it's got a lever or several, which is possible, it's also easy to make keys. Get the lock off, and run it down to a locksmith if you don't want to make the keys. A key cut to the lock should be a tenner, give or take, copies less.

[Chris Bacon]

Damn. That'll learn me to read the s-u-b-j-e-c-t. Just pop along to your locksmith.