Replacement lock for Vetter trunk

[suzukizone]

Hi, just joined group. Needed to replace the cylindrical lock on my Vetter trunk. Craig didn't have these but I found an eBay solution that required just a wee bit of modification.

1. Here's the item. BYW this is a great seller with fast and free shipping and low price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wes-110-001...=41a93d4a4829457eb35b2ba1e13b5472&pid=100102&

2. I used the old arm from the original but had to "hog" out the square hole with a Dremel grinder using a very thin bit that had diamond grit on it. Not the most perfect job but I worked slowly to minimize excessive cutting.

3. I had to adjust the angle of the bend on the arm as the new lock is slightly shorter that the original but got a snug fit without too much hassle.

4. I used thread lock on the large nut that holds the mechanism together and an the screw that secures the arm. It is snug turning the key but fine elsewhys.

5. Here is link to the pics I took of the job. The flat silver arm that comes with the new lock is not used and can be saved or tossed. I recycle metal so it went into the bin. See images here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8cuvfxdv22jmoch/AACw8BNp93jEK8V1I8aO4caTa?dl=0

If you are looking to replace this lock at a fair price, hope this helps.

DH

 

[Seth Matthews]

I took mine to my local locksmith told him how many I needed he made them all match and work with a single key.

 

[Scott-E]

Tractor Supply has locks that will work and are all keyed the same. You will need to enlarge the square hole to fit the new locks. I use a square file for that job. Here is the lock you need if you want to use those locks.

National Hardware N185-280 825 Door/Drawer Keyed Alike Utility Lock, Chrome
SKU #351654799
$4.99 each.

 

[suzukizone]

I took mine to my local locksmith told him how many I needed he made them all match and work with a single key.

I did that when the original one failed, After a few years same issue. The one I bought, modified & installed was better than either of the first two, cheaper than the locksmith & I got to do it myself. I was just posting this for those old cheap geezers like meself who like to play.

Your post & mine are sources for other Vetterites to be able to choose best route for themselves. Hopefully there are one or two other options to go into the Trunk lock repair or replace files, right there next to the X-Files, down in the basement. I want to believe.

Thanks,

DH

 

[suzukizone]

Tractor Supply has locks that will work and are all keyed the same. You will need to enlarge the square hole to fit the new locks. I use a square file for that job. Here is the lock you need if you want to use those locks.

National Hardware N185-280 825 Door/Drawer Keyed Alike Utility Lock, Chrome
SKU #351654799
$4.99 each.

AH! Great, now I see it, oh well mine did cost more and I could have checked your version out to be sure of the depth of the lock body & saved money & time. But I seem to enjoy learning the hard way. Sir (or madam) I bow to your knowledge. I had posted that original message as I did search the forum but didn't see anything.
I bow out, a sadder but wider,....uh I mean wiser man.

Thanks,

DH

 

[Rebold]

I got my new trunk lock through Aliexpress:
https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1PCS...108.1000016.1.5db9a959kOO2Yy&isOrigTitle=true

They have four different lengths that you specify when ordering, think I choose 25mm.
Adaptation as mentioned before, open up square hole in arm with square file and just a little bending.

I paid € 2,12 ($ 2.49) including postage, mailed from China to the Netherlands, arrived in two weeks.

 

[suzukizone]

Thanks, the one I got is, like these, well made enough & working fine. I saw also they had them at a local chain, Tractor Supply here in USA. The one I had gotten installed by a locksmith years back failed & was not working well a year or so after I got it & paid a bit for the job. Sometimes, not always, the cheap DYI method works better,
Ride safely,

DH

 

[Scott-E]

Thanks, the one I got is, like these, well made enough & working fine. I saw also they had them at a local chain, Tractor Supply here in USA. The one I had gotten installed by a locksmith years back failed & was not working well a year or so after I got it & paid a bit for the job. Sometimes, not always, the cheap DYI method works better,
Ride safely,

DH

I little oil works wonders when your lock starts acting up. A very light machine oil does the trick. I use Singer Sewing Machine oil. Just put a little on both sides of the key, insert the key in the lock, and work it back and fourth and in and out. You'll immediately notice a difference as the oil lubricates the lock mechanism.

 

[suzukizone]

I little oil works wonders when your lock starts acting up. A very light machine oil does the trick. I use Singer Sewing Machine oil. Just put a little on both sides of the key, insert the key in the lock, and work it back and fourth and in and out. You'll immediately notice a difference as the oil lubricates the lock mechanism.

I was taught never to use any type of "oil" in a lock as it tends to attract dust & stiffen or jam up.

I use either dry powdered graphite, "Lock-Ease," graphite in a evaporable solution or "Dri Slide", Molybdinum disulfide (sp ??) which also evaps leaving a dry lube. Since I stock this in "Dad's Garage, LLC as I call it, I have it on hand.
We all have our faves in life as we know it.