a key from a pic

[Onceler]

can somone make a key from a scaned pic, I have two the front and the back and I am trying to make a key from a paperclip that will work, it seems that it has tumblers on both sides of the key.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

can somone make a key from a scaned pic, I have two the front and the back and I am trying to make a key from a paperclip that will work, it seems that it has tumblers on both sides of the key.

Wouldn't say it's impossible because provided enough work and effort I'm sure you could make it work but it's definitely not going to be anything less than difficult as heck.

What kind of key is it? A double sided automotive key, for example, has cuts on both sides but the wafers only interface with one side of the key. The cuts are on both side so that the key works no matter which side is inserted up. There are also other double-sided keys, such as Illinois' Duo, which has cuts on both sides of the key that interface wafers on each side. These types of keys can only be inserted one way. A good way to check your situation is to see if you can put the key in both ways or just one. If it goes both ways, you're not going to need to replicate both sides (unless you absolutely want to). If it only goes one way, you're going to have to replicate both sides. You can also look at the key and if it appears symmetrical you'll only need to replicate one side.

[Squelchtone]

can somone make a key from a scaned pic, I have two the front and the back and I am trying to make a key from a paperclip that will work, it seems that it has tumblers on both sides of the key.

paperclip is a bad material to work with, too weak. Can you give us more background as to the whole point of this project (i.e. why the need to make a key from a scanned pic, is this your key, is it your lock you are trying to get into?) We get some wacky requests some times and this is on the wacky request list. We normally pick locks with real lock picks, not paperclips and safety pins and such...

***We also don't pick other people's locks or make illegal copies of keys, or forged keys, and we don't do shady things, so please keep it legal. And we say that to all new users because we don't know you from anyone else, so don't get too offended, its a standard reply.

Good luck with your project,
Squelchtone

[UEDan]

What squelchtone said.

But yes it is totally possible, a few years back a voting machine company posted a picture of the machine's keys on its site. A stupid picture, not a scan. A few people were able to duplicate it and showed how they were able to open a voting machine and change the votes. Or something like that, but it is totally possible.

[Evan]

What squelchtone said.

But yes it is totally possible, a few years back a voting machine company posted a picture of the machine's keys on its site. A stupid picture, not a scan. A few people were able to duplicate it and showed how they were able to open a voting machine and change the votes. Or something like that, but it is totally possible.

Umm... Not really... On election day all voting equipment is sealed with tamper proof seals that are inspected before voting begins and when voting ends... While it would be possible to unlock the lock with a key you made, opening the machine itself or gaining access to anything sensitive would be impossible without disturbing that tamper proof seal... Plus, loitering around the machine long enough to play with it would attract the attention of the poll workers and the police officer which is usually on duty during voting for security...

~~ Evan

[Evan]

can somone make a key from a scaned pic, I have two the front and the back and I am trying to make a key from a paperclip that will work, it seems that it has tumblers on both sides of the key.

LOL...

Yes making a key from such a scanned image of a key is possible... It takes knowledge of the lock manufacturer to be able to sight read the key and access to a code machine to originate the key from code...

The valid reasons why one would ever have a need to do this are quite rare... I have heard of it happening for older non-high security vehicle keys when a car key gets broken or ingested by a pet and the person whose key broke could not find all the pieces of the key or the ingested key was not yet available and the only other key was very far away -- the other person with the other key photocopies it and faxes it to the person with the broken key so that a replacement key can be made...

You would be treated with the utmost suspicion and contempt by a locksmith if you attempted to have a key originated for you for a door lock from such an image and the locksmith didn't know you personally...

~~ Evan

[Squelchtone]

What squelchtone said.

But yes it is totally possible, a few years back a voting machine company posted a picture of the machine's keys on its site. A stupid picture, not a scan. A few people were able to duplicate it and showed how they were able to open a voting machine and change the votes. Or something like that, but it is totally possible.

Umm... Not really... On election day all voting equipment is sealed with tamper proof seals that are inspected before voting begins and when voting ends... While it would be possible to unlock the lock with a key you made, opening the machine itself or gaining access to anything sensitive would be impossible without disturbing that tamper proof seal... Plus, loitering around the machine long enough to play with it would attract the attention of the poll workers and the police officer which is usually on duty during voting for security...

~~ Evan

http://boingboing.net/2007/01/25/diebold-voting-machi.html

Not everything is as difficult or as black and white as you often think it is. And frankly you're not the only one here who knows about things, so please don't go around posting your infinite wisdom about all the experience you have in your life, its getting really old. I know when I don't know something I keep my mouth shut, or sometimes make guesses, but I know when I'm not qualified to talk about something. You seem to often present the most ideal examples. Have you ever worked at a voting place or have sealed these machines or seen the chaos on a busy Tuesday night when there's a line out the door? I really doubt it.

The people at the voting places f*ck up more stuff in 1 day than most people can manage to in a whole year. Machines get lost, votes get put in people's trunks and forgotten about.. Electronic machines go unused because workers cant figure out how to turn them on, reboot them, etc, etc. That's what they get for having volunteers man this stuff.

Play nice with others, things were good for a while, but I'm seeing more BS lately...
Squelchtone

[MacGyver101]

I agree with squelchtone.

One of the things that I love about these forums is that they're global, and that I get to learn about how people approach and solve problems in parts of the world that are very different from my own neighbourhood. (I can't count the number of times that I've thought "hmm... I wouldn't have thought to do that the way that they do it over there".)

Asking questions is great... but it's upset me to see the number of threads lately where people are getting lectured to, for no reason other than their question (or their answer) might not make sense in the context of someone else's job or city.

[Squelchtone]

I agree with squelchtone.

One of the things that I love about these forums is that they're global, and that I get to learn about how people approach and solve problems in parts of the world that are very different from my own neighbourhood. (I can't count the number of times that I've thought "hmm... I wouldn't have thought to do that the way that they do it over there".)

Asking questions is great... but it's upset me to see the number of threads lately where people are getting lectured to, for no reason other than their question (or their answer) might not make sense in the context of someone else's job or city.

I've been short with users lately myself, so I know what you mean, maybe we all need to just hug it our or something. Sometimes I wish the internet wasn't such a big place, this would all be much more fun if we could meet up for some beers or something, it's tough to get the tone of voice sometimes from reading posts, and so easy to take things the wrong way. That said, I do believe that there is a lot of users here who know stuff, and a lot of new users who do not. I know I'm going to try harder to be more patient with newer pickers and the occasional oddball question, I hope everyone else joins me and also tries to be nice and not as unforgiving.

Thanks everyone, and thanks Mac for pointing us in the right direction.
Squelchtone

[Tyler J. Thomas]

I forget the locksmiths name but I've heard from reliable, first-hand accounts that a Popsicle stick and a few hours of work produced a working dimple key for a certain European model car. Figured you'd guys want to know that piece of trivia.

[pyro78]

I forget the locksmiths name but I've heard from reliable, first-hand accounts that a Popsicle stick and a few hours of work produced a working dimple key for a certain European model car. Figured you'd guys want to know that piece of trivia.

Now that sounds like something interesting to try, i would think it to break when turning the key, maybe i will try to make a copy of my master lock key with one. If you ever remember the guys name tell us, that is one story i would love to read

[SnowyBoy]

I thought of this a while ago. Designed a solution.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5274 ... tocopy.jpg

[LocksmithArmy]

yes, its too easy to make a key from a photocopy... in fact i keep a key in my pocket i made from simply glancing at a sfic masterkey and hand filing the bitting into a blank. have done it several times in fact for locks all over post, storage facilities or barraks.

the popsicle thing wont work for ur master, you may be able to cut a key, but for dimple locks its more of an impressioning thing... its a neat trick lol, if i had some popsicle sticks id do it on yt it does work, ive played with this when i was in iraq...