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Traditional impressioning of double-bitted lever locks?

PostPosted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 5:43 pm
by MartinHewitt
We have here in safes a lot of double-bitted lever locks where the levers have no springs. So the key bit has contact on both sides of the lever and the length of both sides together is constant. An example is shown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6aBwEdxdkM

I wonder if it is possible to do impressioning with some sort of simple key blank. My guess is no. A standard key blank has full bitting size on both sides. My guess the key gets stuck and shows impressions either on both sides or always on the same side but gives no indication where to remove material. A halve key blank, i.e. one where the rear bitting has been removed, will probably give good indications, but non on all levers because due to missing springs friction between the levers will "overlift" some levers and the process gets stuck.

What do you think?

Re: Traditional impressioning of double-bitted lever locks?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:12 am
by femurat
I think that when impressioning the spring makes it harder. If there's a spring you may get some small marks that you may misinterpret as true marks. If there are no springs the only marks you get are from the lever binding.

That said, by looking at the video you linked, I think that a half blank may work. Gravity should be enough to keep the levers down. You only need to work on the upper part of the key.

Cheers :)

Re: Traditional impressioning of double-bitted lever locks?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:26 am
by Jaakko Fagerlund
As long as you get the lock internals binding, you can get markings on the blank from the locking elements to show which one is incorrectly positioned. If you however manage to separate the functions (tensioning & wiggling the blank), you are close to a form-pick or auto-impressioning tool.

Re: Traditional impressioning of double-bitted lever locks?

PostPosted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 6:30 am
by MartinHewitt
A bit rapping might help to get the levers falling down. I will try it.