Specifications

Next, bend a Kwikset Cylinder
Removal Tool as shown in the
illustration and when the base has
dried, attach the Kwikset tool to the
base with the #8 stove bolt. Make sure
to put a washer between the Kwikset
tool and the surface of the base which
will prevent the tool from scoring the
base.
Next glue the piece of rubber to the
bottom of the base. This will keep the
capping tool from sliding around on
the work bench or in the van. Finally,
cut a round piece of rubber to fit the
diameter of the 1-1/8” hole. This is to
give the face cap a mar resistant
surface to rest on as you bring the
capping “slide” across to bend the tabs
down on the cap.
By using various “adapters” like
key covers, and other readily available
materials, you can fit caps on both
foreign and domestic autos.
Lee WhitefordCalifornia
[Editor’s Note: Lee sent me one of
his GM Capping Tools. It is simple in
design and easy to use. Best of all, it
really works. However, for those of you
who do not want to take the time to
make your own capping tool, Strattec
(formerly Briggs & Stratton) offers a
GM capping tool with a plug holding
feature for about $50. Strattec also has
a capping tool for quickly replacing the
face caps on the new Ford 8-cut door
and truck locks. Thanks for the tip Lee.
Read on for another tip on a home-
made tool for staking face caps.]
American Lock And Supply Winner
Alternative Capping Tool
Sometimes when staking face caps
on various automotive locks, I wish
that I had a third hand to hold the
cylinders still and the face cap in place
while I bent the tabs over to hold the
cap to the cylinder. Well, I came up
with an idea using a piece of wood 2” x
8”x 6” long. I use this large of a block
for stability.
First I covered the wood block with
a piece of terry cloth (you can use any
soft material to prevent the face caps
from getting scratched). Then using
three wood screws for each diameter
face cap I wanted to work with, I
placed the screws in the 9, 12 and 3
o’clock position (Illustration 2) and
tightened them down to the proper
height for each type of cylinder.
To keep the screws from
scratching the caps that they hold
down, I coated each screw with the
plastic coating that you can use to dip
tool handles in.
Now all you have to do is slide your
partially assembled cylinder with the
face cap on it, face down between the
screws. The screws act as a vise to
hold the face cap in place while you
106 • The National Locksmith
CAP STORAGE
MODIFY KWIKSET
CYLINDER
REMOVAL TOOL
AS SHOWN
PLACE CAPPED
CYLINDER HERE
TO BEND TABS
WITH MODIFIED
KWIKSET TOOL
Illustration 1.
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