Hello Handyhands or other Lock person?

[JohnD]

I wonder if you know?

I picked up an Old Stock Chubb AVA cylinder and keys (tarnished but looks unused). I see it has a circlip on the back, I wondered if I can pull the innards out to see how it works? Or will bits fly out and never go back?

I used to have a link for a Lock enthusiasts group, but it seems to have been closed down.

 

[Softus]

This one any good?

http://locksport.com/home/index.php?entry=entry061027-222056

 

[JohnD]

Thanks!

Has some nice stuff on standard pin tumblers like yales, but not the whizzo AVA

 

[JohnD]

Done it!

No springs inside so nothing pinged out. That also explains why it resists the usual methods of picking or bumping that work on other cylinder.

Cleaned off the old factory grease, reassembled (a few times until it was right) and away we go...

It has 10 brass disks inside which seems plenty. Much more solid than other little disk cylinders as used on desks.

The construction is extremely simple, not much to go wrong. Just the sort of thing I like.

 

[HandyHands]

Hi JohnD, sorry for late reply but I've been away for the weekend camping.

As you say, the AVA system is based on brass discs rather than the wafers you would find in something like a cabinet lock. These discs operate independant of each other, and are extremely hard to pick open.

There are plenty of lockpicking sites around, but the ones that contain any real/useful information are restricted to trading locksmiths (for obvious reasons). Lockpicking101.com is a hobby site, but is frequented mainly by americans with a few UK posters. Some good posts on it if you're interested in locks, but I'd take some of the claims/boasts with a pinch of salt.