North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

Which part of a cylinder contains tumbler chambers corresponding to those in the plug?

1. Shell

2. Scalp

3. Tail Piece

4. Spool Pin

The correct answer is: Shell

The cylinder of a lock is designed with various components that contribute to its functionality, and the tumbler chambers are a crucial part of this mechanism. The shell of the cylinder is the outer casing that houses the internal components, including the tumbler chambers, which interact with the pins in the plug. These chambers are precisely aligned to receive the pins from the plug, ensuring that the lock can be engaged or disengaged depending on the alignment created by the correct key. In contrast, the other components mentioned—such as the scalp, tail piece, and spool pin—do not serve the same function. The scalp typically refers to the top of the cylinder that can help secure the lock in place but does not contain the tumbler chambers. The tail piece connects the lock to the operating mechanism, enabling the lock to turn and operate, while the spool pin refers to a specific type of pin used within the tumbler system, but it does not encompass the chambers themselves. Therefore, the shell is the correct answer as it is the part of the cylinder that contains the tumbler chambers corresponding to those in the plug.