Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:41 pm
Impressioning a key for a lever cabinet lock
Impressioning a key for a small lever cabinet lock
This is a small interior lock box from inside a very old Grover and Wende safe.
Was asked if I would make a key for it. Come on, what other answer would I be likely to give? For those wondering what those two holes on the back of the box are all about, I wondered, too. Was told that a 'safe tech' thought if he drilled those holes, he could open the lock from the inside.
No wonder the customer decided to try someone else.
First, used tape to mark the location of the throat cut on the blank.
Then used a file to make the throat cut.
Now check the fit of the throat cut.
Used a Sharpie marker to darken the blade of the blank
Insert the key, turn it until the key stops. With a little tension on the key, jiggle it up and down a couple of times. By up and down, I mean towards the center of the keyway and the edge of the keyway, in line with the blank.
Yes, I know. I bite my nails. Oh well.
Now look for the impressioning marks. In this case, there are two. That ended up being all the levers there were on this lock! Only two.
Now file where you see the marks.
Reapply the marker, test the key, jiggle the key, reinspect. Wash, rinse, repeat. Keep at it, and only file where you see marks. Soon...
And the final key. One deep cut, one shallow cut.
Total time, under 10 minutes.
Gordon
This is a small interior lock box from inside a very old Grover and Wende safe.
Was asked if I would make a key for it. Come on, what other answer would I be likely to give? For those wondering what those two holes on the back of the box are all about, I wondered, too. Was told that a 'safe tech' thought if he drilled those holes, he could open the lock from the inside.
No wonder the customer decided to try someone else.First, used tape to mark the location of the throat cut on the blank.
Then used a file to make the throat cut.
Now check the fit of the throat cut.
Used a Sharpie marker to darken the blade of the blank
Insert the key, turn it until the key stops. With a little tension on the key, jiggle it up and down a couple of times. By up and down, I mean towards the center of the keyway and the edge of the keyway, in line with the blank.
Yes, I know. I bite my nails. Oh well.
Now look for the impressioning marks. In this case, there are two. That ended up being all the levers there were on this lock! Only two.Now file where you see the marks.
Reapply the marker, test the key, jiggle the key, reinspect. Wash, rinse, repeat. Keep at it, and only file where you see marks. Soon...
And the final key. One deep cut, one shallow cut.
Total time, under 10 minutes.
Gordon
Just when you think you've learned it all, that is when you find you haven't learned anything yet.
