The CLAM!

[dougfarre]

Alright, lets make a key! First, we need a sweet new kit from Lockmasters called THE CLAM ($150). This is the Deluxe Clam. It comes with a whole bunch of stuff you don't need. But being that it was purchased by the Longhorn Lockpicking Club, we decided to buy the best.



Next cut an in inch of clay from the clay block.


Put it in the key mold.


Mash it down.


Smooth it out.


Baby powder.


Stick in the key. and PRESS


Look at the mold.


This is what i used to do before rehab


Poor in the mold.


AWESOME>


Key

[dougfarre]

Wow my address is totally visible in that picture.

[MacGyver101]

Interesting... thanks for the pics!

One question: what's the extra cut-out near the hinge for (other than eating plasticine)?

[mcm757207]

Very nice, but I think we already have a guide to the clam including pictures on this forum already... although I could be wrong.

[dougfarre]

probably.

[Eyes_Only]

How'd you guys get to order out of the Lockmasters catalog? We have a bunch at work but when I was just a hobbyist I always wondered how to get stuff from them.

[dougfarre]

Interesting... thanks for the pics!

One question: what's the extra cut-out near the hinge for (other than eating plasticine)?

Good Question! You can use that extra cutout near the hinge to make a replica of the profile of the key. That way you can determine which key blank is required. You can search through the ILCO World Key Blank Encyclopedia.

[josh0094]

what kind of metal is that. looked like tin... maybe even lead... or solder? i was thinking about trying to do somthing like that with my key.

[JonLu]

Sweet write up. I wonder who's sexy hands those are lol. I still have green clay under my nails.

[joseph01]

Yeah really good work - very nice pics and also helpful

[dougfarre]

Sweet write up. I wonder who's sexy hands those are lol. I still have green clay under my nails.

And finally, the LLPC members work their way out of the woodwork

what kind of metal is that. looked like tin... maybe even lead... or solder? i was thinking about trying to do somthing like that with my key.

I was thinking it was some kind of nickel alloy, but i could be wrong.

[MacGyver101]

what kind of metal is that.

It's likely either Wood's metal or Field's metal. They both melt at fairly low temperatures, and are pretty common for quick casting/modeling exercises.

[jgor]

...Now post the picture of our first attempt! Heh just kidding, i couldn't live with myself if that one somehow made it into the public domain..

[mitch.capper]

Nice job and pictures:) That definately is quite the complete kit.

[Johnny P]

It's woods metal - approimately 23 to 25 percent lead content. Very soft metal and not suggested to be used as a permanent key as it can easily break or get stuck in the lock from bending.