Cylinder Lock Wafers WTF?

[Zander]

Well I'm trying to assemble my half doors and have come across a stumbling block (the first of many I'm sure).

The locksmith said that the cylinder lock cylinders are supposed to come with "wafers" and that I should get a "wafer kit".

Does anyone know WTF he is talking about? I've searched the half door kit but there is nothing like what he is describing.

Have I bought an incomplete kit?

[MightyMouse]

I'm guessing.... but i think the "wafers" are the plates that match the key profile inside the lock.

I'd guess that he needs to cut the "wafers" in the new locks to your original locks.

I've had a little experience with a European lock supplied on some industrial equipment, the keys were "standard issue" for a European locksmith but were unknown over here. Perhaps the same applies to the "wafers"... common in the US but not here ?

Not much help I know... just thinking out loud really.

[Escapable]

Get a real locksmith!

The wafers are to change the locks to suit your kkey .... the locksmith should be able to do this without thinking.
Maybe he drives a Toyota and gets bogged?

[Zander]

Originally Posted by Escapable

Get a real locksmith!

The wafers are to change the locks to suit your kkey .... the locksmith should be able to do this without thinking.
Maybe he drives a Toyota and gets bogged?

Yeah you might be right, he's implying that I need to source the wafers for him from Chrysler for instance. Wouldn't the wafers be generic?

Also another point of confusion, I thought the locks were pin tumbler locks because the pins and small springs were included with the kit. Another forum member here said he needed to get the locks "pinned".

Wafer tumbler locks and pin tumbler locks are different types of locks?

[Escapable]

Pin tumblers are little pins held in place by a spring .... mostly popular and apparently harder to pick than the wafer type, best to ask a pro that one,.... wafers are similar except they are pieces of metal with the shape cut out of them... same spring system tho.
Most cars ?? seem to use the wafers as they allow the double sided key...

You take the tumbler to the locksmith with th ekey you want to fit it and they do it, mostly immediately as they have the gear..... if american locks were so different then WHY did it only just happen when other cars don't have this problem with (usually) the same parts.

I have an XJ (4l), the rotor button and Dist cap are GM and thats only the start of it ... go figure.. the alternator appears on others (pulley dirrerence maybe)..
(We also have a SAAB and th wiper motor is from Korea (fiat, hyundai, etc, etc).....
sounds like en excuse to simply charge more to key the lock.

[Zander]

Originally Posted by Escapable

Pin tumblers are little pins held in place by a spring .... mostly popular and apparently harder to pick than the wafer type, best to ask a pro that one,.... wafers are similar except they are pieces of metal with the shape cut out of them... same spring system tho.
Most cars ?? seem to use the wafers as they allow the double sided key...

You take the tumbler to the locksmith with th ekey you want to fit it and they do it, mostly immediately as they have the gear..... if american locks were so different then WHY did it only just happen when other cars don't have this problem with (usually) the same parts.

I have an XJ (4l), the rotor button and Dist cap are GM and thats only the start of it ... go figure.. the alternator appears on others (pulley dirrerence maybe)..
(We also have a SAAB and th wiper motor is from Korea (fiat, hyundai, etc, etc).....
sounds like en excuse to simply charge more to key the lock.

Actually they haven't keyed it, they returned it and said it's too hard.

Apparently they need a wafer kit which cost $200 but because they don't do many (or any) Chrysler vehicles they were unwilling to outlay that cost.

I think I now have to try with the dealer, unless someone knows a locksmith that does a lot of Jeeps (in Sydney).

[fil]

If you wanna do the research I have a blank (unkeyed) set/kit of locks for a tj and it has the wafers in the bag with all the other gear. Most likely be the same.