Getting a Bump Key cut for multiple keyways.

[devnill]

i know this may be a noobish question, but i couldnt find an answer on the site. Could i have a KW1 bumpkey cut that would also work in the SC1 keyway? I know that i would need to make sure both locks had the same # of pins(obviously).

If this is possible, what depth would i have them cut at? I am assuming 7, but im not sure...


Also, along these same lines, would it be possible to use a dremel to grind off wards on other keys to make "universal" bumpkeys?

[vector40]

Nope. Won't fit.

[pip]

i think if you had the KW1 cut to 9's then it might work

[illusion]

If you cut the wards off then the key won't fit properly in the lock, which won't work with any pleasing results. I tried (for the heck of it) to make one from a piece of hacksaw blade, the idea being a bumpkey that would work on a wide selection of locks in the UK. Suffice to say it was rubbish, and it worked once in an evening of trying.

Bear in mind the pin spacing, this will render it innefective, even if the key can enter the lock it won't work.

I'll post a photo of the different pin spacing to show you what I mean later on.

[keysman]

I know that i would need to make sure both locks had the same # of pins(obviously).

Also, along these same lines, would it be possible to use a dremel to grind off wards on other keys to make "universal" bumpkeys?

You would need to make sure your bump key has at least as many cuts as the lock has pins.

The more material you remove, the weaker the key becomes, you may be able to make a key that passs more than 1 keyway,.
If you look at a Kwickset key and a Schalge C key end on, you will see that the millings are opposite each other. If you were to 'thin" the key to pass both keyways, you wouldn't have any material left

[devnill]

ok, thanks.

[raimundo]

What I am hearing is that so many of the keyways may be very similiar in the lower part of the key blank, and the the variances tend to be more restrictive in the upper part of the blade. thus, it may be possible to find that one of the blanks is thin enough to interchange in that bottom tier and then the question would be one of spacing and 9 cut height, and all I can say is try it out, the only way to prove or disprove anything, but a bumpkey that fits a lot of keyways, will be thin and thus weak, only good for a limited number of openings. however, for schlage, try an L blank, I believe that these thin blanks may be made of a harder metal than the brass or nickelsilve of the rest of the schlage family

[vector40]

I suppose we can fantasize about a universal bump key with adjustable spacing and made of some kind of interlocking links that could "mold" to the shape of any keyway. But, uh...

[Chucklz]

If you need a bumpkey for Kwiksets, you need to find another hobby. Although a very extensive Schlage bumpkey is possible. L keyway will do all the "obverse" keyway Schlages.

[searsman05]

As far as a bump key goes, i do not think that you could make one universal key that would work on most or all lock brands. The spacing would be wrong the depths would be wrong and even if you could file or get a key that fits them all you would sit there forever tying to bump it which would be a real waste of time. Now some keys do fit in other lock manufactures keyways but then again you have the spacing and depth issue. I know that most Kwikset keys fit in Sargent S Keyway locks for an example. Now best thing to do would be make one for each manufacture. Kwikset pretty much has one Keyway so you only need one key. But schlage, Sargent, and many other brands have a lot of keyways. Most do have top level key like the schlage L Key but they are so thin that they would eventually break off in a lock somewhere and then you would have to fight with it to get it out.

Bump keys are a cool demonstration but i don't really look at them like picking tools( i mean i guess they are but what fun is smacking a key to get something open) I would say if you run across a lock that you cant pick then give a bump key a try. But as far as carrying them that is not something that i do or would think about doing.

Not only that but if the key is not cut right or if you do not have a good hammer or whatever it is a pain. And a lot of the times you get angry(well i do) and hit it to hard and then the cylinder looks all beat up.

There is a few times that a bump key comes in real handy though. I have ran across a few schlage full size cores that need to be removed. Well i will tell you one thing trying to pick the lock and then hit the last pin to remove them is a pain. I cut a schlage control bump key for it smacked it a few times and wham i got it out. I mean i am not sure if that will work every time but it did for me ( made me real happy since i didn't have to drill it out)

And as far as kwikset goes you should not even need a bump key. they are so easy to pick when you walk at them with a pick and tension tool they just open



-James

[devnill]

I was thinking of making a few keys just to try out bumping. Ive been meaning to for awhile, but ive been wayyy too busy. I coulndt see myself doing much with bumping, but it sure would be intresting to try

[searsman05]

oh well if you have never done it before then ya give it a try it is pretty fun for a while then it get boring (well at least it did for me) Once you make one and get it to work right you will be surprised at ow easy it really is to get a lock open. It never worked right or good enough for me but i did get a kick out of doing it a few times.