recover keys for cabinet locks

[emptech1]

I have about 24 cabinet locks where the keys are missing. I have removed all of the locks,
it only takes minutes to pick the locks and remove the plugs. Question, which is the fastest
way to make new keys? They are wafer locks.

So far, I'm not impressioning the locks, but I'm marking the blades with a sharpie and filing
the keys until all wafers are at the shear line. It is going pretty fast, but would it be quicker
to just impression the locks? I'm only making one key per lock, the customer can have the
duplicates made.

Jim

[MBI]

I find most cabinet lock manufacturers use a very small number of key codes. Some use as few as four different ones. I keep a ring of the common ones handy so when I need to do what you're doing, I just find which keys fit the keyway, then try out the most common key codes to see if one works. More often than not, that's all that's been needed.

[Altashot]

In your case I'd say picking the plugs out is the better solution. It can be as fast as impressioning and has less chances of damaging the locks.
It is normally more accurate too. I have seen many wafer camlocks that had been impressioned that had bent wafers and/or deep gouges in the housing.

You can try impressioning them if you want but, it is not always faster, and as you said, it's going pretty quick...And it's working...I'd keep that up!

M.

[minifhncc]

Usually these have standard MKs...

[MacGnG1]

most filing cabinet locks have numbers stamped on them.

you can order keys by code number: https://www.easykeys.com

or you can look up the cuts: http://www.lockcodes.com

or if they are master keyed, just get a master blank and impression the master key.

[emptech1]

Thanks everyone -

I ended up picking them and doing one at a time, didn't take all
that much time. I had two destroyed cores, one somebody drilled
out and another was forced with a screwdriver. Just waiting to
make an appointment to reinstall the locks.

I've always kept my master lock keys, very often I already had one
with the right cuts. I don't do all that many cabinet locks, so not worth
the money to make dups of all the keys I made. If I have to do it again,
just charge them.

Jim

[globallockytoo]

Usually these have standard MKs...

you have to remember that this is not necessarily Oz, where many standard cam locks are MK'ed

[cledry]

If they do not have a code....

I usually put a blank in the plug and then insert the head of the key right up to the face of the lock into a bench vice. I remove the plug and butt it up to the jaw of the vice, using the impressioning file I mark each wafer on the blank and then simply file a key out. I clean up the angles with a diamond impressioning file. Probably takes a minute perhaps two per lock.