Bite code accuracy

[seddona]

Hello all,

I was wondering if anybody knows the typical accuracy required to produce a working cylinder lock key. For example I've just measured a typical 5 pin universal key (I'm in the UK, these seem to common and are often denoted U-5D) and the difference between the deepest and most shallow cut is 2mm. I'm guessing there are about 8 codes so;

2mm / 8 = 0.25mm per code.

Does anybody have an idea of typically how 'on the money' you've got to be to have a key that turns the lock smoothly?

Cheers,

Andrew

[maintenanceguy]

variation of .02" (you'll have to convert to mm, we tried metrics in the 70's but weren't smart enough to figure it out) are barely noticeable.

At about .04" high or low, the key is definitely "clicky". More than that and the key won't work without alot of jiggling.

Older locks that are a bit worn might tolerate keys that are cut worse.

[seddona]

haha, yeah unfortunately half our numbers are metric and half are imperial which makes things even more confusing!

So reading another post it seems like Kwikset depths are about 0.023" apart per bite code (1 to 7). So I think your saying that you can actually be just outside the intended bite code and the key will probably still work?