From rbarry@sequent1.providence.edu Wed Feb 9 22:29:36 2000 From: Robert Barry Well, folks, thanks to the pointers that the lock-cylinder innards are retained by the stainless cap, I dug in to see how hard it was to swap the tumblers from my damaged lock cylinder to a better one I had lying around. In a word, it was a snap! I put some water on to make a cup of tea, then started examining the old cylinder; the outer cover attaches to the lock cylinder like a bottlecap. I first tried a bottle-opener, but that didn't work, so I took a flat-blade screwdriver, and gently started prying out the crimp holding that cap on. By this time, the water was boiling, so I shut it off, poured the water to let the tea steep, and finished removing the cap. I was afraid that all the tumblers would shoot out all over the place, but they are neatly retained in a little catridge. That was the part I wanted to swap into the better cylinder, whose cap I was able to pry off in about five minutes. I swapped in the inner cartridge with the tumblers I wanted, installed the spring-loaded lid that sits under the cover, popped the cover back on, and gently peened it back over with a hammer. I'd like to say that the tea was still piping-hot when I finished, but I had to pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds. I'd say it took me a half-hour the first time through; I could probably do it again in 15 minutes. So tomorrow morning, I'll pop in the rejuvenated lock while the truck is warming up, and be happy I saved the $10-$25 a locksmith would have charged me. :) Bob Barry http://studentweb.providence.edu/~rbarry/wheels/