What to do with all of those extra keys?

[ChemicalRobot]

What do you guys do when your collection of keys starts to get a bit too large? Here's mine. These keys have no locks that they can go to:

collection.jpg

The only thing I can think of to do with them is to make bottle openers.

bottle-opener.jpg

So anybody have any neat or interesting things to do with them?

[geardog32]

Bump keys? that's what i do with them.

[the lockpickkid]

LOL! That bottle opener is bad ass!! Very cool! My response is the same as the last guy, bump keys. Thats about it, unless you run across some locks that have no keys, you can pin them to fit one of your existing ones.

[elbowmacaroni]

yep, I was gonna say bump keys too... but that bottle opener is sweet!

[LocksmithArmy]

lol love it...

sell em at a flea market make you some extra dough... honestly how many bottle openers do you need

[ChemicalRobot]

lol love it...

sell em at a flea market make you some extra dough... honestly how many bottle openers do you need

Haha, yeah I've only made one so far. I doubt I could get any money from them. Might make good gifts though!

[LocksmithArmy]

20 cents a piece....
do yo uknow how many drunks are at flea markets...

[the lockpickkid]

Not even a joke, I bet you could make bottle openers and sell them on ebay, locksmiths would sell them as a counter display item. If I seen one of those for a $1.50 I would buy one!

[thelockoutguys]

i Have ammo cans full of keys. I keep some of them for tryout keys, some for setup keys and keep some of the more unusual ones just in case, and when you get a ton of regular ones.. the price of metal now a daze...cash in !!!!

[uklockpicker]

bump keys

[abroxis]

The superindendent for the apartment complex gave me a 5 gallon pail half full with dead keys.

I made a deal with a lockie ( trusted personal friend) with a code cutter and he made me a couple sets of bumpkeys and was able to make himself a couple of sets with the extras. When you have blanks to burn you can experiment with a few modifications.

Also experimented with impressioning keys using "Martins Impressioning System" Lead soldered to blank.

Saw a post where the key was ground way down and used as a tension wrench
so I also got to play around with that.

Here is a link to a site for more artsy fartsy ideas.

[magician59]

How about pick keys. Works sort of like rake keys or Marshall keys. Turning pressure--in and out motion, while varying the turning pressure. Works like a charm! I also dip 'em in glue and sprinkle glitter on them. Give 'em away as Christmas tree ornaments.

[Boogeyman]

cleaned up & added to the collection
Bump Keys
re-cut to make dupes spares or for rekeying

Around here, anything that even looks old or unusual is sold at the swap meet for $1.50 - $4.00 ea. Anything faintly looking like what antique dealers feel is a "skeleton key" $5.00 - $6.00 ea.

Still dumbfounded what people will pay for anything old looking, pertaining to locks.

Used hardware rekeyed will bring way more than selling to a junkyard even at todays scrap prices.

[awol70]

hmmm....there must be a name for this disorder...

[loki]

Cast them in clear resin to make attractive paper weights.

Polished keys on the end of a neck chain.