Thank for tutorials

[jharveee]

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Thanks to all the folks at KP.
Now can say I have made a working key by impressioing.

[jeffmoss26]

Nice job! Impressioning is still on my list as a skill to learn.

[jharveee]

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These two didn't make it.

[GWiens2001]

Congratulations on impressioning your first key! Great job.

Gordon

[DennisK]

Nice job! Impressioning is still on my list as a skill to learn.

Really Jeff? I thought you were a master of all things lock and key!

[youluckyfox]

Congratulations, just as it is always satisfying to have the plug turn when picking, I love seeing the marks when they turn to sharp lines to indicate the process is almost complete.

Had a great read yesterday: Making Keys by Impression by Salvatore Dulcamaro (reprinted from The National Locksmith Magazine)
I highly recommend it even if you are already familiar with impressioning. Some interesting excerpts are as follows:

After binding the tumblers, when you apply turning pressure you could conceivably bump the key up and down a dozen times or more. This however would be wasted motion. After bumping three or four times, you have already moved the tumblers out of contact with the key. Any additional bumping will not improve the marks.

Before filing, you should wipe the top of the key. The reason for this is that dirt or foreign particles may be imbedded in the key and can give the appearance of a mark.

To the layman, impressioning is even more mysterious and impressive (pardon the pun) than picking locks. There is a very good reason for that. If you'll notice, every two-bit private eye and amateur detective on television can pick locks. (I like the way they pick locks with only a pick and no tension wrench.) However, only locksmiths impression (of course, there are exceptions) and I'd guess that not many, do it well.

[Oldfast]

Exciting stuff!! Great job!

[Gregted]

Yes great work. Also up to blank 3 on my first attempt. Maybe this one will turn things around. Joke intended...

[Altashot]

Congrats!
First one eh!?! Now you'll want to try them all.
You only sheared 2 blanks? That pretty good, many rookies shear way more than that.
It's just part of learning. Your Vise Grips are a little big for my liking or maybe it's the rubber grips that makes them look bigger? Either way I'd rip that rubber off. It'd "feel" better.

Nice job! Keep it up.

M.

[jharveee]

Key blanks 94 cents.

vise grips 7.00.

File 80.00.

Learning a new skill......................Priceless!

Thanks

[GWiens2001]

At that price for a file, would guess it is a Grobet Pippin file. It is worth the cost. Make sure you get a file card ($5-$10) to keep it from getting clogged with brass shavings.

Gordon

[jharveee]

Yes, correct on the brand of file, #4 cut. Really fine and is stating to clog a bit. Only found 1 file card at the big box store. Looks scary. Are they all the same, as I don't want to hurt my file. Any direction in this area would be helpful as I know nothing about caring for files. My standard operating practice was to use and abuse then buy another, but at these prices I will have to change my ways.

Thanks

[GWiens2001]

The box store file card should work fine.

Mine has a plastic bristle brush on one side and a stiff wire 'file card' on the other.

Also recommend using WD-40 from time to time when you are done filing for the day. Spray the file, then file card it the next day. This helps with brass filings that just don't want to come out with the file card.

I use a #4 Swiss cut Grobet pippin file, too.

Gordon

[Oldfast]

I haven't been actively looking, but I STILL haven't found a file card that seems appropriate for the job.
It's surprising really. When I posed this question of file maintenance some time ago, I received from
everyone a good variety of tips. Scroll through this page if you'd like viewtopic.php?p=61259#p61259

[jharveee]

Thanks