What Did You Impression Today?

[jwrm22]

I like your wooden handle.
You need the cordless drill to replace the key?

I've started impressioning after LockCon 2017 and have done about 125 keys.
The biggest problem is that impressioning is an expensive hobby. I've used et least 350 key blanks averaging at €0.50 each.

I'll do one more impressioning practice run of 6 locks and call it for LockCon. (20 minutes a lock, 5 minute break)

[GWiens2001]

I would think that a cordless drill would not be the tool to make a key at all, though it would likely open the lock in a timely manner.

Gordon

[jwrm22]

I would think that a cordless drill would not be the tool to make a key at all, though it would likely open the lock in a timely manner.

Gordon

FAQ:
Q: Can I bring a cordless drill to an impressioning competition?
A: Yes

Q: Can I use a cordless drill at an impressioning competition?
A: No

I've impressioned these today:



Abus C83, new pins.

[GWiens2001]

I would think that a cordless drill would not be the tool to make a key at all, though it would likely open the lock in a timely manner.

Gordon

FAQ:
Q: Can I bring a cordless drill to an impressioning competition?
A: Yes

Q: Can I use a cordless drill at an impressioning competition?
A: No

I've impressioned these today:



Abus C83, new pins.

Very nicely done!

Also like your Q&A. It might be fun to have a thread with questions and answers like those.

Gordon

[femurat]

I like your wooden handle.
You need the cordless drill to replace the key?

No, I need the drill to make a second hole in the key bow in order to fix it in place. A wooden handle doesn't have the strength of a steel one, so two screws on a side are not enough. You need two through screws to firmly hold the key in place. One is already there, the second one I just have to drill it.

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

I like your wooden handle.
You need the cordless drill to replace the key?

No, I need the drill to make a second hole in the key bow in order to fix it in place. A wooden handle doesn't have the strength of a steel one, so two screws on a side are not enough. You need two through screws to firmly hold the key in place. One is already there, the second one I just have to drill it.

Cheers

Ahh, that makes sense. Thank you for explaining, Femurat.

Gordon

[jwrm22]

I like your wooden handle.
You need the cordless drill to replace the key?

No, I need the drill to make a second hole in the key bow in order to fix it in place. A wooden handle doesn't have the strength of a steel one, so two screws on a side are not enough. You need two through screws to firmly hold the key in place. One is already there, the second one I just have to drill it.

Cheers

Thanks for the explanation. As for the keys ar the competition you'll get the blanks with the square head so you'll need two holes.

Femurat latest theorem: "A wooden handle doesn't have the strength of a steel one, so two screws on a side are not enough."

[cledry]

So am I correct in these competitions that the competitors are given the same type of cylinder with the same bitting?

As a locksmith it would be so nice to need to impression new locks, we always get locks that have been soaked in oil, filled with a mixture of sand, mud and graphite with one ore more broken springs and worn pins and a keyway with all the warding worn away. Same with picking locks, we hardly ever get a nice pristine lock. As an added bonus it usually is raining, screaming kids and know-it-all dad over your shoulder.

Perhaps I should start my own competition with these factors thrown in.

[GWiens2001]

So am I correct in these competitions that the competitors are given the same type of cylinder with the same bitting?

As a locksmith it would be so nice to need to impression new locks, we always get locks that have been soaked in oil, filled with a mixture of sand, mud and graphite with one ore more broken springs and worn pins and a keyway with all the warding worn away. Same with picking locks, we hardly ever get a nice pristine lock. As an added bonus it usually is raining, screaming kids and know-it-all dad over your shoulder.

Perhaps I should start my own competition with these factors thrown in.

Real world conditions do kind of change the skill level, doesn't it? Sort of like the IDPA (Internation Defensive Pistol Association) competitions which would be more realistic if the targets shot back.

Gordon

[jwrm22]

So am I correct in these competitions that the competitors are given the same type of cylinder with the same bitting?

As a locksmith it would be so nice to need to impression new locks, we always get locks that have been soaked in oil, filled with a mixture of sand, mud and graphite with one ore more broken springs and worn pins and a keyway with all the warding worn away. Same with picking locks, we hardly ever get a nice pristine lock. As an added bonus it usually is raining, screaming kids and know-it-all dad over your shoulder.

Perhaps I should start my own competition with these factors thrown in.

You are correct. The first round everyone gets a lock with the same bitting.
For the final we have 6 locks and the lock moves around between the competitors.
In the end the worst lock will be impressioned for 2 straight hours.

The competitions are all on the same lock type (EU: Abus C83, serrated/spool/T key pins. USA: Schlage, Australia: LockWood)

I've done some testing on accelerated life testing of locks to artificially ruin them as if it was in use for 20 years.
My results where inconclusive and I could not ruin them consistently. I've yet to attempt an impression of one of my soy saus/oil/grime/sand locks.

[jwrm22]

I want to show you all a piece of the impressioning qualification rounds on LockCon 2018.

I only filmed myself to analyze the footage later. I'd rather not film other people at conferences like this.
https://youtu.be/QLk7EjJraf0

Jos won, manfred was second and lastly Oliver got the 3rth place.
I got the 4th place. No prices but I've learned a lot and it's a lot of fun.

Jos opened 6 out of 6, Manfred 5 out of 6 and both Oli and I 4 out of six but Oli did it in less time.

[Squelchtone]

So am I correct in these competitions that the competitors are given the same type of cylinder with the same bitting?

As a locksmith it would be so nice to need to impression new locks, we always get locks that have been soaked in oil, filled with a mixture of sand, mud and graphite with one ore more broken springs and worn pins and a keyway with all the warding worn away. Same with picking locks, we hardly ever get a nice pristine lock. As an added bonus it usually is raining, screaming kids and know-it-all dad over your shoulder.

Perhaps I should start my own competition with these factors thrown in.

Now I want to add screaming kids and hecklers to stand behind people during a contest. what's taking so long, in the movies they would have that open by now? why do you need two picks, the movies only need one! you opened it that fast? I'm not paying for something I could have done with a paper clip!

[GWiens2001]

I want to show you all a piece of the impressioning qualification rounds on LockCon 2018.

I only filmed myself to analyze the footage later. I'd rather not film other people at conferences like this.
https://youtu.be/QLk7EjJraf0

Jos won, manfred was second and lastly Oliver got the 3rth place.
I got the 4th place. No prices but I've learned a lot and it's a lot of fun.

Jos opened 6 out of 6, Manfred 5 out of 6 and both Oli and I 4 out of six but Oli did it in less time.

Well done!

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

I like your wooden handle.
You need the cordless drill to replace the key?

I've started impressioning after LockCon 2017 and have done about 125 keys.
The biggest problem is that impressioning is an expensive hobby. I've used et least 350 key blanks averaging at €0.50 each.

I'll do one more impressioning practice run of 6 locks and call it for LockCon. (20 minutes a lock, 5 minute break)

I see why you pay so much for your keys,
Why not look into aftermarket blanks to save money?

[femurat]

I want to show you all a piece of the impressioning qualification rounds on LockCon 2018.

I only filmed myself to analyze the footage later. I'd rather not film other people at conferences like this.
https://youtu.be/QLk7EjJraf0

Jos won, manfred was second and lastly Oliver got the 3rth place.
I got the 4th place. No prices but I've learned a lot and it's a lot of fun.

Jos opened 6 out of 6, Manfred 5 out of 6 and both Oli and I 4 out of six but Oli did it in less time.

My compliments again for your excellent performance! Filming it was a great idea, so we could all see you happy at the exact moment you got the fastest opening of this year qualification.

Billdeserthills, if you're training for a competition it's better to use what you will actually have to use at the competition. Different brands and materials blanks would work different and give him a less specific training.

Cheers