Why is my bumpkey not working???

[TheSkyer]

Hello,

I am new to the whole lockpicking scene. I do have a little experience with lockpicking due to some friends who where into it. I've managed to get open simple padlocks and my own 6 pin frontdoor (the frontdoor dit take about 15 minutes).

I do understand the theory behind it after watching serveral documentary's on google video and the awsome "Lockpicking for the new milenium DVD". I'm currently considering to sing up with TOOOL, a dutch lockpicking group who put themselfs on the map with bringing bumpkeying to the public and media's attention.

I currently own and advanced 9 hook set kit and the KLOM navigator set. (I don't know if these are the kind of tools I should start out with as a novice btw).


My Question is about Bumpkeying. I managed to get the 5 most commenly used key blanks and tryed making my own bumpkey. Howev er it does not seem to work.... I made te so called "999" cuts and filed of a little at the beginning and the end of the key to give it some room to move.

However it doesn't work at all. Does anyone have a good guide on how to make a propper bump key (or a site where I could get some at a good price)

[5thcorps]

Does that key look like its cut right everybody?

[TheSkyer]

This is just the messed up end product. I tried it many times in the making proces with differend types of condfigurations and none of those worked, so I kept adjusting hoping to make it work at some point, but it didn't XD. I wish I could show you some foto's of the different things I tried....

[ToolyMcgee]

Look directly to the left of your opening post at the bump key sales ad. Your cuts need to have flats instead of the sharp angles they have right now. Even buying a code cut bump key doesn't ensure you won't have to make small modifications to get it working right. Stick with your DIY and you'll get it working, bump a few locks, and quickly lose interest.

[TheSkyer]

Hahaha, quickly lose interest XD I was planning on doing just that after I mess around with it a bit. I love my picktools, don't worry. It's just somthing I want to have done once XD

[5thcorps]

Bumping never had much appeal to me either

[lock2006]

I try this lock before and did open with the bump key i made ,but after awhile of keep on bumping this lock it got messed up the top of the key way i don't do bumpkey that much i prefer picking the lock than bumping the lock. this is one site where you can get good bumpkey, hope this helps
http://www.bumpmylock.com/?gclid=CI3Tl5 ... agodRnAXZg

[Manong]

My guess would be that the main problem is the spacing of the cuts. The first one seems to be too close to the shoulder, and the last one is too far back from the tip. Perhaps you could compare the spacing to a working key.

[freak13]

I think one of your problems is indeed the spacing of the cuts. Use a working key as a model and mark your blank with a fine tip marker prior to your cuts. This will give you a good idea of where the center of the cut should be. It's hard to get these things right if you're just taking a SWAG (scientific wild assed guess) at it with a hand file. Keep working, tho you'll eventually get it.