My new set of try-out keys doesn't work

[ewiener]

I just obtained a set of seven "tryout" keys for Kwikset locks. I tried them out on three different kwikset locks... and not one opened? What's up? Do the keys just not work, or am I missing something.

The keys are marked "KW1"

[freakparade3]

They work for only one typr of kwikset lock. Whay type are you trying to open?

[ewiener]

I'm not really sure. I'm really inexperienced. How do I tell what kind of lock I'm looking at, beyond the "Kwikset" label on the front? For that matter, I don't know that much about they keys... kinda got them as a hand-me-down...

[MacGyver101]

I just obtained a set of seven "tryout" keys for Kwikset locks...

Hrm. Just a hunch...

The keying for most Kwikset locks (e.g., KW1 and KW5) encompasses seven depths. Does each of your seven "tryout" keys have all six cuts at the same depth? If so, I think you may have a "depth and spacing" set instead.

Depth keys are used for making new keys by code when you don't have access to a machine that will cut to code... they won't be able to jiggle a lock open unless there's something terribly wrong with the lock. (You can modify one of the depth keys into a bumpkey, but that's another conversation.)

[ewiener]

so how do I turn my depth key into a bump key? Are there videos online or something?

[Safety0ff]

This is pretty fishy, mind posting a picture of the lock with a paper next to it that says "ewiener." Is the lock in use? Why do you want to get in so bad? Why choose bump/tryout keys over lockpicks if you're in it for the challenge?

[bumber]

The keying for most Kwikset locks (e.g., KW1 and KW5) encompasses seven depths. Does each of your seven "tryout" keys have all six cuts at the same depth? If so, I think you may have a "depth and spacing" set instead.

Well at least answer this question if nothing else, because if they look like normal keys they might be tryout keys...

[ewiener]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I have try-out keys, and I've figured out they're not good for opening locks on their own... and I don't have the tools to make them more useful. Oh well.

[vrocco]

I have never heard of a kwikset tryout set. Though I gues it's theoretically possible, it's not practical.

7 depths and 5 spaces. How do you find the total number of combinations? Is it 7 to the 5th power or 5 to the 7th power? (I'm not a math guy) Maybe Squeltchtone or one of you other smart guys can help me out.

If my thinking is correct, it is at least 16,000 possible combinations and that's a huge keychain of tryouts.

My math may be totally of base, but my point is that I don't think it's feasible to make a tryout set.

What you bought may be factory precuts, used for rekeying a lock.

[keysman]

Try out keys …. My math may not be exact but it is pretty close

If there are 7 depths and 5 chambers there would be 16807 possibilities..
The # 7 pin/ depth is only used in master keyed systems so a “ store boughtâ€

[vrocco]

[quote="keysman"]Now assuming a “ tryout keyâ€

[freakparade3]

I don't think the OP really knows what he's talking about, I do know however there is a kwikset lock that tryout keys work for........ Anyone? Come on, do a little research.

[ewiener]

I agree... the OP doesn't know what he's talking about. I definitly have depth and slot keys, not try-out keys. Thanks for all the help, everyone.

[jimb]

I don't think the OP really knows what he's talking about, I do know however there is a kwikset lock that tryout keys work for........ Anyone? Come on, do a little research.

Kwikset SmartKey