Not alowd to get key blanks

[calvinism]

ive been reading up alot on impressioning and 2day i finaly went to go buy blanks but the people here dont wana sell me the blanks. I took 5locks i had with the original keys and i said i want 5 blanks 4 each. They then askd for what? 'wich made me mad!' so i said its a hoby of myn and i wana impression these locks. . So they then said i need to show that im a certified locksmith or that im doing a course. . .what the sac! Is that realy like that? I mean do i hav2 be certified to buy blanks? You would swear they thought i was a crook!

[maintenanceguy]

go to the hardware store, not the locksmith.

[Evan]

+1 on the advice offered by maintenanceguy...

Without knowing where you are, can't offer you more specific advice...

But generally locksmiths are leery of selling raw materials to people they have not done business with before...

You would look a lot less suspicious going into a locksmith distributor and buying key blanks by the box as opposed to walking into a locksmith's store standing before the key cutting counter and asking for 5 each of specific blanks...

~~ Evan

[MacGnG1]

You can probably get most of the blanks from the hardware store. Your best bet for any supplies you need for this hobby is the hardware store, so check there FIRST.

also if the guy is already suspicious, saying you are going to impression the lock is not going to make him any less suspicious of you.

[Shyfted]

Yer if im asking for anything semi-dodgey i just say its for my cousins (youre own/brother/sister/son/daughter/etc.) school project. The if they ask anymore questions i just say i dont know why they need that particular item.

[Theist17]

My best advice is to check with the local hardware stores to see if they have the blanks, and then proceed to build a good relationship with the locksmith. Trust me, hardly anyone dislikes having a buddy around the shop who knows a little about the trade. Who knows? You may just end up an apprentice. Haha, that's what happened with me.

[calvinism]

Ok thanx guys. . Il try the hardware store 2day and hopefully start impressioning! Shot alot:) shot means thanx in other words here in SA. . .

[smhatter]

Another good choice (depending on where you are) is your local super-center type store. They usually have a key cutter in the automotive areas, and the people manning the counter will probably look at you funny, but will almost always sell blanks to you. If they ask, say you collect them, i've never been turned down.

[globallockytoo]

I used to work for a company that charged the same price for the blank as making the key. Seems okay to me. If you want to pay $2-$3 for a blank, I'm happy with that.

How many you want?

[Oldfast]

Already been said many times, but yea, hardware store. My local Ace/True Value has always sold me whatever I wanted, no questions asked. In fact, I've mentioned to a couple of the clerks there about my intentions (impressioning/ bumping) and they seemed quite interested.

However, I've not had much luck at the bigger stores like HomeDepot or Lowe's.

[MacGnG1]

Already been said many times, but yea, hardware store. My local Ace/True Value has always sold me whatever I wanted, no questions asked. In fact, I've mentioned to a couple of the clerks there about my intentions (impressioning/ bumping) and they seemed quite interested.

However, I've not had much luck at the bigger stores like HomeDepot or Lowe's.

oh yeah! ACE is awesome for blanks!!!

[calvinism]

Hey guys i got blanks at a hardware store like u guys said. . . Thanx. . They kinda more expensive than i thought though. The like 20rand each!!! In dollars its $3. . .i thought they would be like in the cents. . .bt ohwell. I impressiond a warden euro style lock and a yale y110/40 padlock. . .both took about an hour! Haha

[smhatter]

Hey guys i got blanks at a hardware store like u guys said. . . Thanx. . They kinda more expensive than i thought though. The like 20rand each!!! In dollars its $3. . .i thought they would be like in the cents. . .bt ohwell. I impressiond a warden euro style lock and a yale y110/40 padlock. . .both took about an hour! Haha

I think I pay $1.20 for Kwikset and Schlage ones. So, it is a bit steep, but not too bad.

[LeftHand]

Go here to buy key blanks.
They will sell you whatever you want.

[UnlockD]

Before I purchased a Duplicator + Blanks, I needed a key copied so I went to Home Hardware. I made sure they had already cut my extra copy, and then I asked for a blank of the same type.
I received an odd look, but also the blank.
I guess it just matters where you go, etc.