impressioning tips anyone

[toomush2drink]

Spent most of the day practicing impressioning and now have a headache from peering through a magnifying glass and still havent manged to even get a cylinder with only one pin sorted. I have tried all the different ways like knife edge ,marking the blank with a pen etc but all to no avail. My problems occur when i get the cuts started and then i lose the marks. Im using a second cut pippen file is that my error ? Just had a look and gone through 15 blanks trying so any tips are welcome.

Thanks in advance

[Varjeal]

In great detail, explain your current process of impressioning, including method of manipulating the key in the lock, # of file strokes, etc. This will help us understand what it is your doing and help you adjust.

[toomush2drink]

Ok heres how ive been doing this so far.

1. preparing the blank by rubbing it across a piece of emery paper and this has allowed me to see the first marks no problem so far.
2. Inserting blank into lock and turning clockwise and lifting up and down 3-5 times before turning back the other way and repeating ( ive tried various amount of turning and lifting).
3. filing forwards only with 2 strokes on the dots/marks with the rounded side of the pippens file.

Then i have repeated again but i find that the marks seem to disappear once the cuts start to deepen but the locks in nowhere near open. I have stripped down the lock to see how far out i am from the pins with the blank in and i still have a fair way to go but when i reassemble and start again no marks seem to appear on the cuts.

[Romstar]

What you are looking for is normally a small shiny spot. It can often be found by tilting the blank in the light.

You will know it because the light reflects of it differently.

This is the part that takes the most time. The second most difficult problem is knowing when to stop filing.

Romstar

[toomush2drink]

Im beginning to wonder if its actually the file and maybe its too coarse or its too new and not worn enough ? Im using a second cut pippen file

[toomush2drink]

Yes that post above was a bad workman blaming his tools

[MrB]

I assume you are using the emery paper to restore a mirror finish at the bottom of the file cuts before putting the key back in the lock?

Reading your posts you don't positively say that you are, especially with that last file comment...

[toomush2drink]

No i wasnt using the emery paper on the cuts themselves but maybe i should as that would make sense now i think of it. Too much time staring at key blanks has made me weary to say the least.

[Varjeal]

Hmm...I'm wondering if perhaps your using too much pressure on the file. Once you've done your "cutting" strokes, give the key a couple of very light passes directly across the root of the cut to give it that matte type of finish.

Also, trying the rocking motion a few more times as well (perhaps up to 10 or so) and only go in one direction. It could be that changing directions in the case of this lock is rubbing the marks off to make them near invisible.

Again, make sure your strokes are going directly perpendicular to the blade of the key and your keeping the file flat and straight as possible to:

1. Prevent overlapping cuts
2. prevent accidental marks that may look like pin marks.

Give that a try. Also check the key each time in several different angles of lighting to view the potential marks.

[HeadHunterCEO]

at night i like LED flashlights
i can see the marks better than with a conventional flashlight

[mcm757207]

I have a few suggestions:

1) Don't be afraid to file down too much, at least file down .75 of a depth
2) If you have access to a key cutting machine (by code), then use that instead of a file. When you see a mark, cut down one full depth.
3) Pin Tumbler locks are harder to impression that wafer locks, if your starting off I would suggest practicing with those.
4) If you are filing, angle the file a little way to the left and then to the right, because if you just keep going straight down there's a chance it might trap the pin, so make sure to bevel the sides of the cut.
5) Another good way to practice is to put the key in a bench vice (so the blade is sticking out), and put the cylinder of a wafer lock (with the wafers) over the key, and then take the handle of a screwdriver or something similar and knock on the wafers, this will produce fairly good marks and you can practice your filing.

[toomush2drink]

Thanks for the tips guys i now have plenty to get on with and didnt know wafers were easier to impression so will have to get some blanks and open a lock from the van. Have you noticed us brits dont seem to mention this skill that much but across the pond you use it a lot. I need this skill after a nasty padlock experience i had mentioned in another thread, and when a wise locksmith like chris b mentions they open with impressioning i take note big time.