How I got a key for Ava (pictures)

[Wizer]

When I was moving to a new house I found this old box full of screws, toy parts, tools, and whatnot.
I had saved them as a kid 20-30 years ago.
Among other stuff I found this Abloy Ava, no key:



Well, what do you do with any "new" lock that you find?
-Pick it!


I wanted a key for it. So I looked into keyway with a flashlight (would have wanted a scope for the first time) and saw 4 first wafers. Then I used a HPC medium hook, very small tip, to feel the rest of wafers.
I had the keycode, or so I thought.
I had only one blank, so I used an old key (not for this lock) as a reference, marked the spacing, and went carefully to file the key:


The key did not work. Picked it again, decoded it again, and found I had read 2 wafers wrong the first time.
I went to a colleague to get some more blanks, and while I was there I bought a key made by the code I got. They have a codecutting machine.
It worked like it should, and now I have a key!
Back at my shop I wanted to prove myself I can file a key for it. It took 3 blanks and half an hour, but I got it done. It don´t work as smooth as the codecut one, but anyway.





The key on top is codecut, below is my filed key.

[TheSkyer]

you my friend, are a talented man! Nice work, makes me wanna file my own keys by hand again XD

[lock-ed]

Very nice Job
Judging from your posts, you have a good knowledge about disc-detainer locks. Good Work, and thx for sharing!

You noted that you would like a scope? I have this http://keymam.com/product_view.asp?pid=1212 and use it a lot. Price is approx 45USD+shipping.

Could I ask what brand/model your vise is, and if you are happy with it? I have a similar Proxxon, but not totally satisfied.

Thx in advance,
Ed

[chriswingate]

Awesome stuff, how hard was it to pick that? I hear those are difficult, I haven't played with them.

[Rickthepick]

Is that the same as the chubb ava?
If so im impressed, those are extremely hard to pick

[Wizer]

Thanks guys!
@Ed, the (yellow) vice is a Stanley, I bought it from Clas Ohlson. I think you have the same store there. Its really great compaired to "The Great Wall" -Chinese vice (red) in the other picture.
http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Pro ... =160926987

@Chris, they´re not really that hard. To get a good spp session, they´re not so nice. But you can rake some, and if you overlift on one side, you just go to the opposite side and pick again. Thats what makes them so easy.

@Rick, There is only 3 cut depths for Abloy Ava, I think Chubb has 5 (or 7?). Othervice I´ve understood its the same lock. I would really love to get a Chubb, but I have not even seen one.

[Rickthepick]

I have a chubb ava padlock i cropped last week if you fancy a bash?
drop me a pm.

[MacGnG1]

i am excited to try to pick the miracle padlock since it has the same mechanism. any tips???

[Wizer]

Rick, PM´d you!
@Mac, I bet that Miracle is harder. But when I want an Abloy Ava picked, I rake it a couple times with a half diamond, medium tension, changing sides. Top right & bottom left of keyway. This usually sets atleast 4-5 wafers. Then with light tension and a strong pick I go through them one by one, and change sides.
The wafers bind pretty hard, but if you feel it snap out of gate, no problem, just go to the opposite side and pick again.
I´m really looking forward to playing with Chubb, I hope I can make a deal with Rick.