Impressioning magnifier

[Eyes_Only]

Has anybody here ever used this tool before? http://ukbumpkeys.com/product_ILLUMINAT ... _index.php

I just recently kinda got back into impressioning more difficult pin tumbler locks like American Padlocks and I was starting to look into getting a magnifier to help see those tiny minute marks left by the smaller padlock pins.

I was also considering this one too if someone suggested that this tool would work better or the same as the one above, http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 92&p=51092 .

Never really used tools like this before cos when it comes to impressioning I usually deal with automotive locks for work so I thought I'd ask for everyones insight on these things.

[Schuyler]

It works brilliantly, but don't buy it so brutally marked up:

http://mbausa.com/item.asp?num=MB16-A

It's designed specifically for impressioning, where the Mag light attaches (and with a little electrical tape I've attached other make-do flashlights) is a diffuser, so you get a nice, even light over the surface of the blank. There is a small slot cut in the the bottom of the magnifier where the key fits, which brings the blade into perfect focal range. In the one on the UKBK site, it looks like they've added an additional loop? Or something, either way, lacking that slot to get you into the perfect focal range every time, I'd call it inferior, as that's one of my favorite features of the device.

The book they have listed below it on the UKBK site is excellent (& Cheaper than the MBAUSA site), however, you will likely do just fine using http://www.lockwiki.com/index.php/Impressioning & the various other quality resources out there.

But yes, I would definitely recommend the magnifier, just not the exact one you linked to.

[datagram]

Seems MBA has funky DNS/IIS setup...above link should be http://www.mbausa.com/item.asp?num=MB16-A

If you get this, some pictures through it would be an awesome addition to Lockwiki's impressioning page : )!

dg

[Schuyler]

Seems MBA has funky DNS/IIS setup...above link should be http://www.mbausa.com/item.asp?num=MB16-A

If you get this, some pictures through it would be an awesome addition to Lockwiki's impressioning page : )!

dg

Oh, man, I should have lent it to you while we were in Vegas. Really enjoying lockwiki, btw.

[Eyes_Only]

Does this thingy work even outside in the day time in direct sunlight or is darkness needed?

[Schuyler]

Does this thingy work even outside in the day time in direct sunlight or is darkness needed?

Never used it in the out of doors, but in a well lit room and it's done just fine. It really encapsulates the situation pretty nicely. Unless you are holding your head to the sky while you look through it, I can't imagine it would be too badly affected by the sun. But, I can test that out for you on Monday if you like?

[jimb]

I was also considering this one too if someone suggested that this tool would work better or the same as the one above, http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 92&p=51092 .

I have experimented with many types of magnification since my vision is not what it use to be. I have found that too much magnification is as bad as not enough. If you magnify too much it picks up every little spec of dust and makes it difficult to tell if it's a mark or not. For me anything over 10x is too much.

[Eyes_Only]

Does this thingy work even outside in the day time in direct sunlight or is darkness needed?

Never used it in the out of doors, but in a well lit room and it's done just fine. It really encapsulates the situation pretty nicely. Unless you are holding your head to the sky while you look through it, I can't imagine it would be too badly affected by the sun. But, I can test that out for you on Monday if you like?

Yeah if you can please test it out and see how it works out. Thats the one issue I have thats been keeping me from getting one (that and cos I'm so broke).

[jos weyers]

The device Schuyler suggested does work in daylight. I would'nt use a led flashlight on it, that'll blind you.
Get a decent grip (no pliers, you want true vertical movement) and invest in a good file.

[Schuyler]

So sayeth 87 Sec. Weyers! I cannot imagine a better endorsement for an impressioning tool.

[Eyes_Only]

Thanks for the info, and congrats on your championship Jos!Guess I'll be going ahead and getting myself one of these soon.

[_RAGNAR_]

I've used both light boxes and headsets. I have a magnified headset type with light that is fine for daylight and the lightbox is for covert. (the light box also works fine as a daytime magnifier.)

I've used the headeset for hobbies for years so it was nothing new for me.

I've used headsets like these a few times
http://www.lockpicks.com/lightedheadspec.aspx

The first lightbox I used was a falle one from safe ventures. The one I bought for myself is from: http://www.theben-jim.com/default.html

$300 vs $3000 for the safe ventures one.

[Eyes_Only]

I'm gonna get the "covert" option. I'd rather have the chance to fantasize that I'm a real Blackbag op opposed to feeling like Sherlock Holmes.

But that's just my preference.

[_RAGNAR_]

yeah, it's pretty fun to impression a lock in pitch black with no signature.

[zeke79]

I remember someone in europe made an impressioning box back a couple of years ago. Might have been two or three years ago at Defcon that I heard about it. I do remember it being like two or three hundred dollars though. It used a few different leds in it in different colors as marks showed up on some keys better in different light colors. You could use one of those multi color LED flashlights that your turn the head to get different colors but I am not sure if it would fit to replace the mag lite. I cannot remember who makes that multi color LED flashlight off the top of my head. I'll look and see if I can find it. If I do I'll post a link to it here.