And you said that I’m not handy

Things started out simply enough.  We wanted to get some extra keys cut for our RV.  We asked at a hardware store, but they didn’t have the blanks required to cut motorhome keys.  In Quartzsite, we were pleased to find a guy cutting keys out of his trailer, and he specifically caters to RVers.

The locks on the exterior compartments of our motorhome were stiff.  Sticky.  Downright difficult to turn.  While figuring out which keys to have cut, I managed to break one off in a lock (one that I’d previously bent and straightened in Mountain View), jamming the blade inside the lock cylinder.

I explained my dilemma to the guy who was cutting our keys, and he kindly suggested the rather complicated steps I should take to remove the lock cylinder, after which I could push the broken key out from the back side.  He loaned me a lock pick (aren’t they illegal?), and then reassured me by saying, “I’m not a locksmith”.

Patrick viewed from rear seated beside motorhome working on compartment lock wearing black down jacket and red hoodie
Tying to remove the lock cylinder

After a lot of trying I couldn’t get the door open using his technique, but I did manage to pick the lock and open the compartment.  I disassembled the latch from the inside, thinking I had my problem solved.  The latch came apart into many pieces, and eventually I was able to remove the lock cylinder and push out the broken key.

Patrick seated on small stool beside RV with compartment open and small screwdriver in hand
Success!

Reassembling the latch turned out to be tougher than I expected.  I knew the order of assembly, but could not for the life of me figure out how to put the pieces together.  So now I had an open compartment without a latch.

Patrick working on latch of motorhome compartment
Shit!

I reverted to Plan B, pulling out my ‘go-to’ tools – duct tape (I’m Canadian after all) and rope (I’m also a Queen’s Scout – yes I know that sounds kinda gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that).  I also incorporated a bit of bubble wrap, but I’m not bragging.

Patrick working on compartment latch with duct tape
Plan B In Progress

And Diane says that I’m not handy. What do you think?

RV compartment door without latch and protected with buble wrap and duct tape and tied shut with rope
Almost as good as new

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9 thoughts on “And you said that I’m not handy

  1. Girls stick together, sorry Pat, I have to agree with Diane on this one. But I do know you are persistent and it will be finished one way or another. Even if it means hiring a “professional” (usually the best idea)

  2. Yes there is that choice…if you can’t be handy you better be handsome LOL. I think Red Green would be so proud of you Patrick 🙂

    1. Speaking of making work… You encylopedic knowledge of the arts had me searching the Interweb for what turned out to be a British musical comedy duo from the late 1950’s

    2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flanders_and_Swann
    3. and a song that, although not important enough to make their wikipedia page, I did find and enjoy on Youtube

    4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyeMFSzPgGc
    5. Once again my knowledge of the inane is challenged by a fellow master of the inconsequential.

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