What Did You Impression Today?

[GWiens2001]

For the first strokes on the key, flip the pippin file over and use the blade edge to start the cuts. The flip it over again, and use the round edge to keep going down. That will keep the file from skipping.

Congratulations on your first pin tumbler lock impressioned!!! Did you open and close the lock 30-40 times, just because it is amazing that you made a working key?

Gordon

[Jacob Morgan]

For the first strokes on the key, flip the pippin file over and use the blade edge to start the cuts. The flip it over again, and use the round edge to keep going down. That will keep the file from skipping.

Congratulations on your first pin tumbler lock impressioned!!! Did you open and close the lock 30-40 times, just because it is amazing that you made a working key?

Gordon

Thanks for the pointer on the file, that makes a lot of sense.

Second lock impressioned--it is a big shock when the key first turns. I've known about the concept of pressioning for a lot of years so I know it works in theory, but it is still somehow surprising that it actually works. The other key I impressioned is on my key ring. I don't like carrying lots of keys around, but that one I'll make an exception.

[Jacob Morgan]

Just another disc tumbler lock I did not have a key too, after each time I was done with the file I wrapped some 400 grit sand paper around it and gave it one more pass--made it easier to pick up the marks.

The vise is something I got from a junk store several years ago. It has two sets of jaws (large and small) and the jaws can rotate 360 degrees. This lock had flat sides and the cam was locked in the vertical position. I first put the lock in the vise with the jaws in the normal position...then it dawned on me that even if the key was properly impressioned that I would not know it because the cam on the back would not be able to turn as it was held in place by the vise jaws along with the body of the lock. That would have been frustrating. Rotated the jaws 90 degrees and used the small set of jaws to hold the body while the cam was free to turn.

[GWiens2001]

Congrats, Jacob! It is still practice.

Gordon

[GWiens2001]

Slow at the end of the work day. So had time for a little impressioning.





Gordon

[femurat]

Thanks for the euro coin. Even from this side of the pond we can see how tiny those padlocks are.

Cheers

[Jacob Morgan]

A disc tumbler lock that goes to a Kennedy machinist's tool chest I bought used (and keyless) years ago.




A member of the site had helped me get some Ilco barrel keys a week ago, was looking forward to impressioning my first warded lock it but it turned out that the lock (that goes to a desk) only needed the key filed to fit into the keyway to work--a wardless warded lock. Regardless of that my daughter thinks it is neat that she now has a key to her desk drawer. Need to find another piece of furniture that needs a key.

[Robotnik]

Haven't impressioned much lately - been quite busy - but had the time to knock out another mini Sargent (S10 blank) and a Yale 850.

While the 850 had a blind code stamped on the plug - and I have a Yale code book - my code-cut key didn't work. Lock doesn't appear to have been re-keyed, but my working impressioned key and the code key weren't even close to each other.

[jeffmoss26]

mmm Yale. Nice job!

[GWiens2001]

Jeff is commenting on the Yale, and not the Sargent? The poor man must be quite ill. Hope you feel better soon, Jeff.

Have come across enough old Yale locks in which the blind code did not work that I have all but given up on the codes for them.

Gordon

[Robotnik]

One more (slightly different) small Sargent knocked out today. Have heard this specific type was used on mailbags, but don't know for sure.

[kwoswalt99-]

That's a nice little hand vise Jacob. I never thought about it, but they would be perfect for impressioning. Yours appears to be factory made.

[Jacob Morgan]

That's a nice little hand vise Jacob. I never thought about it, but they would be perfect for impressioning. Yours appears to be factory made.

Thanks, it has "Lowell Wrench Worchester Mass" stamped on the side along with a model number(?) I can't quite read. It used to belong to a machinist.

[teamstarlet]

Just a Kwikset KIK.

...funny thing is that the key pins appeared to be flat?! Not sure if someone pinned with this the wrong pins or what. Either way I've got a key now

[teamstarlet]

This was also the first impression I've done with my new Grobet Pippin #4 - It really does do a wonderful job! Very impressed and well worth the coin.