Where is the best source for key blanks?

[Gregted]

Just saw these on evilbay and was wondering if there is a cheaper place to buy blanks or at least somewhere with more variety. Have sent message to seller to see if he can supply other profiles etc...

[GringoLocksmith]

I don't think there's a definitive answer to your question. With some obscure blanks, the 'bay could be your best bet. For more common ones, I haven't found ebay to be competitively priced. When I need blanks, I waste a bunch of time plugging my information into the sites of several different vendors to find the cost after shipping and tax. And I've never used the same vendor twice.

[DennisK]

Something like this?
http://mysecuritypro.com/keyblanks.aspx

[Gregted]

Thanks Gringolocksmith and DennisK.

I like that key site Dennis and might give them a try. The site on evilbay is in Oz so they might also get some of my hard earned. 10 keys might be a good idea when I'm just learning to impression. I should get one or two usable keys from that lot.

One vid I saw said to use a small round file to file keys but every key I have seen is cut flat and angled and not round. What file have u used?

[rzr800]

If your just learning I would just go ahead and get a 50pk. 10 keys would go by pretty quick and then you would be worrying about that last 10th key you got.

[faygo6]

I use a round or oval shaped needle file. The cuts on a machine are going to be a lot smoother. The keys you file by hand are going to look like the teeth on a saw blade used in horror movie but, as long as they work.
If your getting started on impressioning don't over look lever locks with flat keys. They are much easier.

[GringoLocksmith]

Down in Mexico we never cut keys to code. If we rekeyed a lock, we always made the new key with a round file. Since the cuts were rounded off, the sweet spot in each cut was smaller, and the keys were prone to failing without a whole lot of wear.