Every locksmith is likely to remember the first time they achieved a working key using this method. It’s a true skill that all locksmiths practice at and try to improve upon. It can often take the longest time to achieve (although for simple cam locks it can sometimes be the fastest as well). Impressioning keys is the art of making a key when no other technique is available, or suitable. Creating a Key by Impressioning The Author’s First Successful Key Impression on His Key Ring, Stamped with the Date. If there is the concern that the lost key can be matched back to the home, then rekeying is the smart play, but often, that’s not a concern. If there’s no risk that the lost key can be matched back to the house, it will be much less expensive to decode a single lock cylinder to produce a new key, that will work all of the existing locks, than it will be to rekey all those locks to a new key see How Much Does it Cost to Rekey a House. Kwikset SmartKey Camera Decoder Depending on circumstance, this may or may not be the best method to achieve the goal, but it’s one more tool in the arsenal and, if other issues are presenting themselves, scoping can help determine why that might be, and in some cases resolve the problem alone.ĭisassembling/Decoding a Cylinder to Create a Key Because Pins Come in Specific Depths, They Can be Used to Decode a Lock In cases where the locksmith has free access to a cylinder, another way to make a key is by (ever so carefully) taking apart that cylinder and then measuring the pins or wafers inside to determine where the cuts should be on an operating key.Ī great example of using this technique is when a homeowner has lost the only key to their home, but not lost it in a manner which they suspect someone might find it and tie it to their house. But, the wafers can be read by a special camera designed for Kwikset locks to quickly get a working key for the home. Without a working key, all of the locks have to all be taken apart and reset. One that comes to mind is for the Kwikset SmartKey Locks. There are cameras and tools designed for this purpose. Scoping involves using small cameras or tools to either visually or tactically determine cut depths on a key by inspecting the wafers or pins within the lock cylinder. Scoping / Reading the Lock Cylinder to Make a Key Either method creates a precisely cut new working key. On newer machines, pre-programmed key parameters are loaded into its software for cutting the key. HPC Key by Code Machine Once a code has been determined, a card can be printed and inserted into a code cutting machine to properly cut the key. The locksmith will then need to determine which is the correct code to use, and which is the correct key to use, by inspecting the lock. So if you have a code, M00123, there may be more than one company using that same series of codes. These key code systems often overlap between manufacturers. Key codes may be available on the lock cylinder itself, on a label or other paperwork attached to the product where the cylinder is located or, in the case of automotive, somewhere on the body of a vehicle (See How Do Locksmiths Originate Car Keys) If the code matches to a valid system, the software tells the locksmith how to cut the key using one of their key cutting machines. If a code is found/available, locksmiths can enter the code into a computer and for a matching code system from various manufacturers. Just look at some of the things we’ve made keys for! Creating a Key by Code Code Stamped on a Lock One of the simplest ways to make a key when there is no current key is to locate a code for the key. Each method has benefits and drawbacks a trained locksmith will know which method will give the best result as quickly as possible. Locksmiths can replace keys for locks without the original key using one or more methods: cutting keys from a code, scoping the lock cylinders to read the depths, disassembling/decoding a cylinder, or by impressioning a key. When there is no key available, we won’t be duplicating a key, we will be originating a key. How will your local locksmith make a duplicate key without the original?įirst, a bit of terminology. You’ve lost that last key to one of your locks or cars. How Do Locksmiths Replace Keys for Locks that Have No Working Key?
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