Dixon flexible keys

[GringoLocksmith]

Here are a couple of flexible keys used to open a Dixon brand transmission padlock.





The end of the shaft is placed against the keyway and then the head is pushed down the shaft to feed the links into the keyway, then it's turned.

Here's a picture of the lock itself.



When we got our hands on the lock, several of the links of the key were broken, so we had to jimmy it in the most Mexican way possible: we flattened the caps of two Corona bottles, trimmed them a bit, and shimmed either side of the padlock.

[femurat]

This possibly is the best automotive key I've ever seen!

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

Very cool! Do you see many of these locks/keys?

Gordon

[GringoLocksmith]

I'm told that five or ten years ago we were installing a bunch of them for a dealership, but the dealership ended the arrangement when one of our guys stupidly performed the bypass right in front of them. This is the first one I've seen in eight months here.

[huxleypig]

That key is freaking awesome! I still don't get why it is flexible though. The whole thing goes into the lock, the end is withdrawn...but why is the key flexible?

[GringoLocksmith]

Excuse me for explaining it wrong. I've corrected the earlier post. The key is flexible because the keyway isn't straight.

[huxleypig]

Excuse me for explaining it wrong. I've corrected the earlier post. The key is flexible because the keyway isn't straight.

Oh, ok. Cool lock. Just how bendy is the keyway? Is it too bendy to get a pick in?

[GringoLocksmith]

I can't say for certain because I didn't get a chance to take a crack at it, but I reckon the purpose of the screwy keyway is to prevent picking. Too bad the keys are so prone to breaking, and the lock is so easy to bypass in the other way.

[GWiens2001]

GL...

It looks like your picture of the key is no longer there! Wanted to show it to my son. Can you please (when you have time, of course) check it out?

Thanks,

Gordon

[GringoLocksmith]

Fixed, I hope.

[GWiens2001]

It is fixed! The look on my son's face was great when he realized that the key was not just another bent key, but was a flexible key. Thank you for making him (and me) happy.

Gordon

[oldbiscuit]

Gringo, Is there any chance that that dealership still has any locks and keys ? If they do and they want to part with one, I'm very interested in buying one. Mark

[GringoLocksmith]

A newer model of the lock (with the same flexible keys) is available for about $53. Shipping from Mexico might be expensive, though. Anyone who's interested can PM me.