Measuring Depths Of Key Cuts

[Bioniccreeper03]

I Have a question i have a 5 in 1 decorder and a caliper but i can't figer out how to make sense of the decorder and the caliper when trying to find out the depth of the key cuts to re-pin it

Thanks for any help

( The Decorder I Have)
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=313

[lockjaw]

I Have a question i have a 5 in 1 decorder and a caliper but i can't figer out how to make sense of the decorder and the caliper when trying to find out the depth of the key cuts to re-pin it

Thanks for any help

( The Decorder I Have)
http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=313

Choose the appropriate slot in the decoder for the key that you have.

Insert the key into the widest part of the decoder slot (the lowest code number), keeping it perpendicular (right angle) to the base of the slot.

Line up the first cut (the valley nearest th shoulder) with the top part of the slot i.e. the angled/staircase part.

Slide the key towards the narrower end of the slot until it stops. Don't force it. The number under which the cut stops is the depth code for that partiular cut.

Repeat the procedure for each cut on the key.

You should finish with a digit for each cut.

The digit sequence is sufficient to pin a cylinder and cut a key to code.

If you want actual measurements as opposed to codes either use the caliper or measure the decoder slots with the caliper and prepare a translation table.

To use the caliper on the key just measure the distance between the base of the key and the cut (the valley not the peak).

[Romstar]

Umm, yeah...

Not much I can add there. Follow the directions.

Romstar

[linty]

you'll save yourself some time if instead of measuring the key to determine the pins you should be using, just take a guess with a pin and if you get it wrong you should be able to see if it's too long or too short, shouldn't take more than a couple tries when you've got a bit of practice, which is faster than fooling around with calipers.

[greyman]

linty's suggestion is a good one. Just put the key in the plug, and try some LAB pins out for size. You'll have the code in no time. Be sure the key is properly supported - ie not sitting too far down in the slot due to wear.

[2octops]

It depends on where you are going in life with your lockpicking hobby. If you are learning to become more of a locksmith, then I would say to learn to use a micrometer and key guage correctly.

If you are just messing around, then the trial-n-goof method works fine by using a cylinder plug.

Here's a tip if using the plug and precut key. If you have a micrometer (not caliper) there is a small piece that pokes out the end of it when you seperate the jaws. This is made to measure depths. Put key in plug and insert that little pokey outty thingy into each chamber until the tip of it sits in the cut if the key and the end of the micrometer sits even on the top of the plug. Now the reading of the micrometer is the depth of the hole or the size of the correct pin needed.

Sorry for the use of the technical terms