Impressioning For Beginners

[Trip Doctor]

So has anyone used round or triangular files for this, or is teardrop shape the way to go? Triangular files seem like they're leave a small, sharp valley, making it hard to see marks. Round files seem like they're leave sharp pointy hills, making the key hard to insert and remove. Also, when locksmith pippin files are sold, are they sold at various widths, or are the widths basically the same - the ideal for making key cuts?

[freakparade3]

Triangle files will work. I have never tried to impression with a round file. Pippin files are the same dimensions as far as I have seen, but they are tapered so they are narrower toward the tip.

[aussielocky]

I use a 8" rat tail file.

Grobet part : LP1660-8-4

[Trip Doctor]

Will triangular files make it any harder to see the marks than with a teardrop file?

[Eyes_Only]

I would think so but then again I haven't impressioned a lock with a triangular file in a long time. I just stick to a round fine swiss file.

[Trip Doctor]

Can you possibly post a picture of a key filed with round files? It seems like they'd have a weird shape

[yoyoboy]

Triangle files will work. I have never tried to impression with a round file. Pippin files are the same dimensions as far as I have seen, but they are tapered so they are narrower toward the tip.

#4 pattern makers file, t you have to be careful of creating sharks teeth.

[Eyes_Only]

Can you possibly post a picture of a key filed with round files? It seems like they'd have a weird shape

Just imagine someone with really crooked teeth took a bite out of the key blank.

[gotta]

The round files leave the cleanest surface for marks that I've seen. When the key gets deeper, you simply round off the top some.

[mcm757207]

I also use rounded file, and it works great. The ones I use are shaped kinda like a tear drop, so I like to use the pointy side to get the cut going, and then cut away more material with the rounded side. The key doesn't look exactly like a code cut key when your done obviously, but if you really want to be anal about it you can always code cut one afterwards based on the impressioned key.

[Eyes_Only]

I usually use only the first inch and 1/3 of the tip of the file to make the cuts. If I need to shape the ramps so the key won't get stuck in the lock I'll run the thicker part of the file over the cuts which will only contact the peaks and top portion of the ramps without messing up the actual cuts/valleys.

[gotta]

I also use rounded file, and it works great. The ones I use are shaped kinda like a tear drop, so I like to use the pointy side to get the cut going, and then cut away more material with the rounded side. The key doesn't look exactly like a code cut key when your done obviously, but if you really want to be anal about it you can always code cut one afterwards based on the impressioned key.

You reminded me that I assumed everyone always makes a code key, but then I thought, sheesh, not everyone has a code machine or even a duplicator to use depth keys. I always make originals, but you can come darn close with a pippin file.

[yoyoboy]

I also use rounded file, and it works great. The ones I use are shaped kinda like a tear drop, so I like to use the pointy side to get the cut going, and then cut away more material with the rounded side. The key doesn't look exactly like a code cut key when your done obviously, but if you really want to be anal about it you can always code cut one afterwards based on the impressioned key.

You reminded me that I assumed everyone always makes a code key, but then I thought, sheesh, not everyone has a code machine or even a duplicator to use depth keys. I always make originals, but you can come darn close with a pippin file.

I'm not not sure why you would need to make a new key from code. As long as you haven't weakened the key too much, and it doesn't stick, who cares what it looks like?

[Eyes_Only]

Most customers who walk into a locksmith shop are very cheap, thinking they'll only have to pay a couple bucks for just about any service cos its just a lock.

But then again those same people are a lot of time willing to pay good money for something that looks asthetically attractive.

[freakparade3]

I'm not not sure why you would need to make a new key from code. As long as you haven't weakened the key too much, and it doesn't stick, who cares what it looks like?

The key will be weak even if it's not cracked. Code cutting a new one saves being called back to extract a broken key from the lock a few days later. Likely free of charge and at the risk of losing a customer.