kwikset deadbolt bumping question

[rackone]

sorry for the n00b question, but this is driving me crazy. i had about 4 kwikset deadbolts that i cut bumpkeys for out of random keys that came with the locks. the first was way ugly, but suprisingly worked when i tested it out. i think i've cut some better ones, and every bumpkey i've cut has worked when i tested it.

here's my problem: none of these deadbolt locks are installed in any doors, i can bump them while i'm holding them, but whenever i try to bump a kwikset that's actually installed nothing happens. i use gentle pressure, the bumpkey's shoulder/tip filed down, etc. i've tried using a screwdriver for torque, i've tried all different intensities of taps and all different angles of approach. i've tried quite a few times, i cut a fresh bumpkey so that maybe the pins would self correct like mentioned in the TOOOL bumping revisited video, i'm just at a loss.

so my question is this: are kwiksets just too cheap? i've seen videos of them bumped, what am i doing wrong? does cold play a factor on the ability for the driver pins to jump above the shearline? if so is there anything i can do to combat that?


a thousand apologies if this is covered somewhere, i really tried to look before i posted.


thanks.

[digital_blue]

Are these locks the very ones that you bumped open while not mounted? Or just the same make? I ask because if they are only the same make, and not the same lock, that you may have a tougher pin combo on the mounted locks than those that you bumped in hand.

Other than that, it's possible you're actually bumping too hard. When bumping in hand your hand tends to absorb some of the shock of the hit, thus deadening it a bit. I've found that hitting too hard may actually be worse than hitting too soft while bumping, so it is possible that you just need to adjust your technique a bit for a mounted lock.

Just ideas though. Not sure entirely. I'm far from expert in the bumping arena.

Cheers!

db

[rackone]

the mounted locks are just the same make. so maybe there are some 9's in the lock's key? that would make sense, i'll try cutting a key to 10 10 10. but i still wonder if the cold might have anything to do with the ability to bump the lock. it's under freezing out here right now and this is and outdoor lock.

thanks for the help db!

[digital_blue]

Well, metal would contract when cooled a bit I suppose, though I don't know how much that would effect the lock. I'd think the difference would be negligible. My vote is on the pin combo... possibly 9 cuts in there. Maybe just extreme high/low cuts that are pushing the bounds of MACS.

You could always try mounting the ones you have been successful with and see if you find it any harder.

db

[webidiot2]

I have had the same problem. I dont tap it that hard and turn as soon as i hit it. sometimes it takes 1 time sometimes it takes 20. the locks are cheap so they are harder to bump.

[vector40]

You could just be finding it harder to adjust to the different angle and sensation of hitting/twisting the door-mounted lock.