Question regarding stamping of keys

[MJK2111]

I've tried searching both this forum and the internet, with no success.

I just inherited physical security at work, which involves physical key management. My problem is how to label (emboss) keys with unique numbers. I've found plenty of stamping kits, but considering I may have to emboss up to 1700 keys, stamping by hand doesn't seem practical.

I've been told that there are "embossing machines" that allow you to stamp the key with alphanumeric info, but I can't seem to locate anything like this. Any help on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Squelchtone]

I've tried searching both this forum and the internet, with no success.

I just inherited physical security at work, which involves physical key management. My problem is how to label (emboss) keys with unique numbers. I've found plenty of stamping kits, but considering I may have to emboss up to 1700 keys, stamping by hand doesn't seem practical.

I've been told that there are "embossing machines" that allow you to stamp the key with alphanumeric info, but I can't seem to locate anything like this. Any help on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

The locksmith who provided the locks and keys to your facility should offer this as a service.

Also, be careful what you stamp on the keys, for instance, do no mark the Building number or Room number, or anything important like Grand Master Key, or IT Closet, or Elevator room. This would give bad guys far too much useful information.

Room numbers are also bad to stamp unless your users are really slow and need that kind of info on their keys.

good luck,
Squelchtone

[Evan]

@MJK2111:

Welcome to LP101...

Need to know a bit more information about this situation...

You said you just inherited the responsibility for physical security at work...

Is there currently any system in place to identify the keys at all ?

Where you just looking for an automatic stamping machine ?

Without more specific information I have the following to offer:

-- If no current system presently exists to identify the keys in the building then you can establish one by stamping each key sequentially with a five or six digit number to ID it...

-- It would be better for the building users if you stamped a sequential serialized number on the key WITH the SKCS blind symbol code for that key in the system... Otherwise every user's keys would be useless to other employees as every key would literally have a unique code -- that could be bad for emergencies...

-- There is a stamping machine available, called the "Marker 2000" and it is a pricey little machine but will produce very clean looking results... However for your situation it is overkill... You can hand stamp 1,700 keys very quickly once you get the knack for it... You will either have to do this yourself or pay a locksmith an additional amount per key to stamp them for you and that does add up after a while in the cost department...

-- Squelchtone offered some good points in his posting but without you telling us what you have at the moment we really can't offer you any advice which would actually be useful to you...

~~ Evan

[MJK2111]

Thanks for the valuable info.

A few more details:
All of our master keys are sequentially numbered, as are the change keys.

The problem is our director of security is a bit of a perfectionist - he wants all keys sequentially numbered. And by "all", I mean every key, down to those that fit cubicle filing cabinets and cubicle overhead bins. He wants a 100% accurate accounting of each and every key we issue.

So the situation now is that I have to find a way to add numbering to keys that aren't currently (sequentially) numbered. Hand stamping is probably the way to go.

[Squelchtone]

Thanks for the valuable info.

A few more details:
All of our master keys are sequentially numbered, as are the change keys.

The problem is our director of security is a bit of a perfectionist - he wants all keys sequentially numbered. And by "all", I mean every key, down to those that fit cubicle filing cabinets and cubicle overhead bins. He wants a 100% accurate accounting of each and every key we issue.

So the situation now is that I have to find a way to add numbering to keys that aren't currently (sequentially) numbered. Hand stamping is probably the way to go.

Tell your dir of sec that I could easily invalidate his security by going to a local locksmith or hardware store and making copies of all those Steelcase file cabinet and desk keys.. I agree with stamping the keys to important doors or offices, so if employee gets let go and they were issued key number 5, they'd better return key stamped number 5. The keys to the desks and cabinets should already have numbers stamped on them from the factory so you can visually compare the key to the cabinet lock. To try to keep a home made in-house spreadsheet of them and be anal enough to make it be 1 thru 10000 sounds like a lot of busy work that he's passing down to you.

Another thing I saw done at an AT&T facility was plastic numbered tags that had copper/aluminum rings crimped onto the key, and could not be casually removed unless you cut the off with pliers, and were harder to take off than a traditional split ring key chain.

They were like these, but no chrome clip, it had a permanent attachment to the hole in the bow of the key:
http://www.mrlock.com/35521.html

hope this helps,
Squelchtone

[Evan]

Thanks for the valuable info.

A few more details:
All of our master keys are sequentially numbered, as are the change keys.

The problem is our director of security is a bit of a perfectionist - he wants all keys sequentially numbered. And by "all", I mean every key, down to those that fit cubicle filing cabinets and cubicle overhead bins. He wants a 100% accurate accounting of each and every key we issue.

So the situation now is that I have to find a way to add numbering to keys that aren't currently (sequentially) numbered. Hand stamping is probably the way to go.

Sorry, but that desire on the part of the security director is just ridiculous seeing as how your company is not the only source of the keys to the furniture unless you are using a special set of expensive optional locks with restricted code series or keyblanks from the furniture OEM...

There are websites which will sell standard coded cut keys by the pair for office furniture to anyone who knows which key number and OEM they want/need the key for and has a credit card number which is approved for a $15 sale...

Serializing the building/door keys is a smart intelligent idea which enhances security -- serializing keys to the office furniture, fire alarm pull boxes, toilet paper and paper towel dispensers in the restrooms et al. is just taking the smart idea to an insane length which only serves to create more paperwork for little enhancement to the safety and security of the office...

~~ Evan

[keysman]

Here are some excellent stamps or tools:

http://www.hpcworld.com/Tools/t_tools.htm

Look at the upper right hand corner of the page for the tool that holds the keys, It makes a nice straight line. I used one daily for a few years until I got :

http://youngbrosstampworks.thomasnet.co ... pe-holders

Which is the greatest thing since sliced bread !
Contact me by PM and I will send you to a discount dealer.