by Varjeal » 5 Oct 2005 15:10
I'll stand by my statement. What I didn't include though, was the tendency of mechanical error and the end-user inserting, tipping, and removing the key.
With relatively normal usage a key will operate the same lock for several years even though both the pins and the key may wear to a point that a properly code cut key will not function or barely so.
By having a properly aligned key machine, though, compensation can often be made (at least on electronic code machines) to "code cut" keys deliberately + or -. Of course it is possible to perform the same function on manual machines by eye, but much more difficult to do so.
If there is opportunity to re-code a lock to factory specifications, the proper and professional thing to do is to recode the lock and provide new keys cut to factory specs.
It has been my experience that even though technically the pins at the front do experience more wear, the action of the user with the key compensates for much of this.
*insert witty comment here*