No key, easy pickable lock!!!! impressioning?

[Picker_Level-0]

Ok heres how it goes. At home i have a desk, with one of those draw locks on it. The lock looks like its a 4 pin tumbler altough the pins are quite thick and it is very easy to pick. I have no real need to lock the draw but as a project i would really like to make a key to fit the lock but how do i start. I understand that i think this may be impressioning??? Ive read a bit about it something that verjeal told me to look at but still i dont really know where to start.....even if its not a complete guide can someone just tell me how to start???!!!

Thnaks d00ds

[Picker_Level-0]

Another thing, i realise i will need a blank key but which do i buy, how do i know which to get and where can i get it from?

[oniony]

If you can get the drawer open, you could remove the lock from the drawer and take it along to a locksmith who mightl be able to make a key for it.

If you want to do it yourself, you could remove the 'plug' (part of the lock that turns) from the 'hub' (bit that doesn't). Typically there is a round clip that holds the plug in at the back of the lock.

If you can then get a blank key of the correct size from a key cutter, you could insert it into the lock and observe how the pins are raised. You will need to file down areas on the keys below the pins so that all of the pins sit level with the edge of the plug when the key is inserted.

I'm just a newbie on lock picking so there may be far easier ways to do this of which I'm not aware. It could be that drawer locks are a little different or can't easily be opened: the one in my desk is a very cheap number with a plastic backing plate attached to the front of the lock with rivets so this approach obviously won't work for that.

Good luck.

[Picker_Level-0]

Hi yea my lock is very cheap and as i said it is easy to pick. his is a kinda project so of course i could take it to a lock smith but i wanna do it myself. I am quite ok with the theory behind it so if anyone has any more depth information as to actual going about it, where do i get the blank from ect and how do i know how much to file away...bla.bla ????? Helps appreciated!!

[oniony]

Well, I'm pretty sure you could walk into a lock cutter (one of those places that cut keys and repair shoes amongst other random and unrelated things) and just ask them. They can only say yes or no and I'm pretty sure they'd give you a funny look but still sell you a blank key or two.

[oniony]

lock cutter -> should have read 'key cutter'

[Varjeal]

Check out this link on impressioning:

http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/impress.html

[Dark Angel]

A lot of these locks have a number stamped on the front,which might be able to tell a local locksmith what type of lock it is,they will then be able to supply you with a blank key,with which you can use to impression a new key.
There is a simple technique for impressioning a key,but tou will need a blank key first.

[Chucklz]

First off, you said the pins were quite "thick" Could this be a wafer lock? These would be far more common, especially if you describe the lock as cheap. If it is such a lock, a common keyblank for these locks is Y11 (yale). And as an added bonus, these blanks are common and pretty easy to aquire everywhere. Try this site, as a key blank reference. It has images of the keyways as well, so you can kinda match things up. Try looking for Yale blanks, and National Cabinet Lock Co. blanks.

http://www.jetkeys.com/cyl.htm

[DrDave]

GREAT SITE!!!!

DrDave-USA