My Lockdown Project

[AndrewWR]

20 hours ago, Alden said:

Beautifully traditional. Love the lock too, Is it British made?

The lock is Italian, palladium plated CNC machined brass (not a casting), manufactured by MMC (https://www.mmcolombo.it/en/catalogue/patented-articles.html), but I bought it from Rocky Mountain Leather in Utah and had them ship it to Wales (an expensive way to buy it - paying import duty and all). MMC don't retail their products and have a high minimum order value.

They're beautifully made and feel very precise and solid in their operation. The dials are hours and minutes so the combination is a time of your choosing (such as the birth of a baby). 

I'm planning an attaché case on a carbon fibre frame and I want to use MMC locks on that. They'll only sell me a minimum of 10 pairs of locks so I'll have nine spare pairs to shift on Etsy to recover the costs. They're likely to be about 68 Euros per pair in palladium or gold plate and they'll work for wooden boxes too, being only about 6mm deep (shallower than key locks).

If I get enough interest in these locks, I'll talk to MMC about stocking more styles so hobbyists like me can have access to them.

[battlemunky]

Really beautiful work that all clicks together nicely. Excellent job!

[Stetson912]

Well butter my butt n call me a biscuit.  That is beauteous. 

[AzShooter]

Most excellent project.  Your work is superb.  

[Alden]

On 4/27/2020 at 7:19 PM, AndrewWR said:

The lock is Italian, palladium plated CNC machined brass (not a casting), manufactured by MMC (https://www.mmcolombo.it/en/catalogue/patented-articles.html), but I bought it from Rocky Mountain Leather in Utah and had them ship it to Wales (an expensive way to buy it - paying import duty and all). MMC don't retail their products and have a high minimum order value.

They're beautifully made and feel very precise and solid in their operation. The dials are hours and minutes so the combination is a time of your choosing (such as the birth of a baby). 

I'm planning an attaché case on a carbon fibre frame and I want to use MMC locks on that. They'll only sell me a minimum of 10 pairs of locks so I'll have nine spare pairs to shift on Etsy to recover the costs. They're likely to be about 68 Euros per pair in palladium or gold plate and they'll work for wooden boxes too, being only about 6mm deep (shallower than key locks).

If I get enough interest in these locks, I'll talk to MMC about stocking more styles so hobbyists like me can have access to them.

Wonderful! Nice plan on the lock too. So did you pearl the hardware firm or is it screwed tight and glued?

I'll be keeping an eye out as I'm still finding money to buy tools and supplies. Cheers

Edited April 28, 2020 by Alden

[AndrewWR]

9 hours ago, Alden said:

Wonderful! Nice plan on the lock too. So did you pearl the hardware firm or is it screwed tight and glued?

I'll be keeping an eye out as I'm still finding money to buy tools and supplies. Cheers

The lock is riveted on. It was supplied with plated rivets and solid backing plates for both lock and hasp. The wrench shaped thing is the tool for setting the combination.

 

[Alden]

Very nice! Hermes uses riveted  fixtures to last the test of time.  Thanks for sharing that Andrew

[HaloJones]

If you get surplus locks I would be interested in buying one

[Pauls Leather]

I guess no one is going to mention the absolutely amazing skill it took to paint that face onto the buckle.  It looks so real!!! 

[DrmCa]

Clean work! Stay safe!