Mills locks in-depth look.

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I am a locksmith safe and vault technician I own Wasilla Locksmith. I started in 1978. Some cabinet locks are easy peasy to make a first fit key, other cabinet locks are impossible to make a first fit key. Age can play a factor in availability of the key blanks, construction of the locks, tumblers, etc, (actually, I enjoy safes a lot more, they are the ultimate challenge).

Mills slot machine locks are relatively easy to take apart, make a first fit key. I worked on them back in the 1970's when they were popular. The only problem is that today I don't have the key blanks readily available. The replacement pins are another issue. The depth set is non existent.

I am going to be in need of two Mills locks to be keyed alike for my Mills slot machine and I will be updating my progress.

This is a round back lock.

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Two that need to be keyed alike.

The coin box.

The back door.

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After a couple of mills locks came in the mail, I took them apart and orientated myself to them. Sadly, some bozo filed down the brass pins down.

These are the round brass pins, they have two different sets that they use. used

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This is the takedown.

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Takedown.

Note the grind marks, that is from someone who didn't rekey the lock and just ground down everything.

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After a long time waiting, the set of keys came in, and a unmolested lock. I was able to rekey the lock correctly to the new set of keys, no butchering the lock, a awesome outcome.

This is a square back lock.

Note the cylinder is not ground down.

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Sweet, it is smooth turning the key, just like the factory.

Best of all, no other keys will fit the lock.

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I've located 2 more unmolested square back locks, I will be able to rekey them to the door key. My goal is to have the slot machine keyed alike, as well as the base cabinet.

I rekeyed it, without butchering the lock.

I also am keeping it looking old, not buffing the brass.

I figured out that the key blanks for Mills is to short. I thought that the locks had keys that were 6 pin and 8 pin and I was correct.
Bell locks have more pins than the Mills locks, so the key blanks are different lengths.

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I basically cleaned up the CYLINDER, using a file to clean up the burrs, 400 sandpaper for cleaning. Nothing was wrong with the lock except for the brass had to be cleaned. The pins to remove the back cover are in excellent condition. Overall everything is good, the rekey keeps the security of the lock.

These are flat pins, not round pins.

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Here's the set of key's used for the locks.Note they are keyed alike, and no stamping.