impressioning file

[synth]

hi everyone,

i'm new to lp101.

i'm wondering if this is a good choice for a file to file down brass or nickel-silver blanks [impressioning, or just duplicating keys w/ a pair of calipers]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4982742861

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4980042778

but the problem with the second item is:
"Unlike most of our auctions, this is a Pre-Sale listing. We will ship to you as soon as our warehouse receives the newest supply. We guarantee that the item will be available for shipping within 30 days from the date of purchase. Shipping for this item can be combined only with other Pre-Sale Listings. Payment will be accepted and charged before shipment date."

i don't want to wait for that, heh.

can anyone point me to a good place to buy a file for these purposes?

also, what type(s) are best?

(also, id like to avoid dropping like 30 bucks on this if possible)



thank's a lot!

-synth

[Peaky]

Welcome to the site synth, fill out your profile so that we know where you are so can help you better in the future,

The first link you have i would say is not suitable for what you want and more so a traditional file is better than these encrusted ones,

Look at the impressioning sticky to get more advise on what you want to do.

I didnt look at the second link as the 30 day wait thing sounds like ' send me your money and when i have got as much from people in 30 days i can i will move on and not send any goods that i never had anyway '

For fileing up key blanks use somthing like a pippin file, but for the best advice read the sticky and tell us where you are.

[davidgjr]

Go get you #4 grobet round file and you should be in business.

[synth]

thank's for the input guys.

i'll probably order a grobet #4 round or pippin eventually, but which one is preferable? the round seems less expensive, but is there any advantage at all to a pippin?

also, i have this file that's in a pliers/swissarmy knive sort of thing, and the edge of it is also a file [not just the face of the blade].

the edge of it is like 2-3mm, is that thin enough to try and file a key?

i'm attempting to duplicate a Best key, 7 pins i believe.

should i even waste my time trying with this file [i filed a little bit on the bottom part of a random key and it seems like it may be able to work..],
anyways, my blanks aren't here yet.


maybe this crappy file will work? if not, ill get a nice grobet file.

any ideas?


also, any tips for duplicating a key liek this? until i can locate a pair of calipers, i'm planning to just hold the keys together and make marks with a sharpie until it gets really close [filing the blank not pressed against the original], and then i guess i'll just put them up against each other and examine with a careful eye to polish it off.

no idea if this will work very well.

any ideas for this too?



i'll let you guys know how it goes when the blanks get here...


thanks a lot guys =]

[davidgjr]

Using the proper tools will help a great deal. I would not start learning on that lock. Go get a #1 master padlock with only 4 pins and start from there.

[raimundo]

You will find a pippin file for a high price at a locksmith jobbers, which can be located in the yellow pages of the nearest really large city, for a round rattail file, look for a jewelers supply, the #4 cut is really fine, and will work well and cut down slowly, A #2 cut will also work and cut down a bit faster. the advantage of the rattalil file is that the point of the file can be placed on the impression and with a very straight file stroke, this keeps the whole file stroke on center, helping to keep it from drifting right of left. you can use wine bottle corks for file handles, I think they are better than the handles sold because they put you hand closer to the work and just keep the tang out of the meat of your hand. If you do not find what you need in the locksmith jobbers or the jewelers supplier, look for a machinests supplier, they might or might not have the files, In the past they would have, but now, machinests probably don't have the skills of the old guys.

[synth]

thanks a lot you guys. i'll go and get a round #4 grobet, since it seems that pippin (which is more expensive) isnt really advantageous, right?.

my blanks should come soon, i'll let you guys know of any success (or failure).


=]

-synth

[raimundo]

As you cut one position deeper, a round file will tend to get to the point where the sides of the cut are too vertical for the key to be pulled out. If you are aware of this problem, a round file can be stroked along the developing vertical edge to slope it, all a pippin file has that is different is a flatish side for this but you stillhave to be aware of the problem to use it correctly.

[Varjeal]

As raimundo mentioned, consider the pippin to be the preferred tool to use, but a round #4 works better than most of what you would find in a standard hardware store.

[Elijah]

In regards to the older post about a possible eBay scam, I must say it looks legitimate to me. Iive been a PowerSeller on eBay for quite some time, and I know that it is perfectly legal to 'presell' items just so long as you clearly mention that in the listing, and as long as the presell is no more than 30 days in advance. You wouldn't have to worry about losing your money, because you have 90 days to file a claim and get your money back with PayPal Also, if someone pulled off a major scam like that he would quickly be spammed with dozens of negative emails after a month and be pulled from the eBay ranks faster than he could launder $1000 of fraudulent key file funds.

If anyone ever wants advice about eBay, I'd be more than happy to help =)

[Sabin37]

You wouldn't have to worry about losing your money, because you have 90 days to file a claim and get your money back with PayPal

Actually, all claims must be filed within 45 days of the transaction. So a 30 day pre-sale listing may not be the safest way to go unless the seller has excellent feedback and you are willing to trust them.