Impressioning with universal keyblanks

[PickPick]

I just started with impressioning and I'm looking to buy some keyblanks now. Since I have many different locks I was wondering whether to buy some universal keyblanks like the ULO50X from Silca.

But since the marks sometimes sit rather close to the edge of the blank, I was wondering whether I could even use such a blank which has probably been thinned down in some places to fit into a wide variety of keyways. On the other hand the pins need to have enough place on the blank to make a decent key from it, therefore it should work for impressioning, too.

Well I'm just not sure whether I should buy them so I'd like to know whether some of you are using them and how you like them.

[Shrub]

You know i think ive just clicked why ive been struggleing with impressioning recently even though i used to be quite good at it on wafer and lever locks,

Now youve said this i think on and realise im useing a universal steel blank everytime i try the cylinder,

Maybe it does make a differance then,

Ill try today with a original blank and see if i suddenly get results again,

Interesting thought that had completely passed me by, cheers

[Wrenchman]

I have heard that Silca keys are made of steel, which makes it difficult to leave a mark, I would try and find the correct brass key for each lock!

Also, there is no such thing as a universal keyblank,(they might call them universal but they´re not) there are thousands of different keyways whereof a few different locks uses the same keyway, but you would have to check the locks you have, and see if they all have the same keyway

Hope it helps, and congrats on the impressioning, I´ve been doing it myself for a while now, and it´s a blast!



Wrenchman

[Shrub]

There are universal keyblansk and yes they are called that but that is because they are!!

A universal key blank only really needs to also fit one other keyway for it to be classed as universal,

I stock one universal keyblank and it fits a great load of keyways infact when you order blanks for one of the euro brands i sell they send you a box of universal blanks,

So i know what your trying to say but there are indeed universal key blanks,

[Wrenchman]

Ok, I understand...Do we agree about not using steel blanks for impressioning then?



Wrenchman

[Shrub]

Well you agree but im still dumb enough to keep trying

True theres no 100% fully universal key that fits all locks but universal in this instance only needs to fit a number of locks,

Brass is better for impressioning but steel is better for the key holding up but is harder to see the marks,

Your more experianced than i on it so i bow to your reccomendations

[Wrenchman]

Your more experienced than i on it so i bow to your reccomendations

Try to keep up young man, eventually you´ll be as good as I



Wrenchman

[Shrub]

I can only hope my dear friend, i can only hope

[PickPick]

Thanks for the input you two. Yes, I know there are no universal keyblanks but they're still called that way. Just like "one size fits all"

Btw, the supplier where I saw the keyblanks is using brass, he just uses the Silca code numbers. I'll probably just give it a try.

[Jimmie]

Universal blanks are in brass but nickel plated

mine come from ERREBI in Italy : UNIVERSAL SUPER PROFILO

they fit the most common European profile locks shaped as a number 5

you have to file out this nickel to prepare your blank for impressioning

I use to make a lot of impressioning ...

the problem with these "Universal blanks" is sometimes you have too much room between the blank and the lock core so ... you will have a lot of marks and some of them are just "false marks" because of this "play" inside of the lock core

and because of this "play" if you're trying "blind impressioning" ... the space marks are difficult to mark/locate ... you can use either a black marker or rubb off the blank blade with sand paper N° 400 ... to help you

the best way to work with these blanks is to use the normal technique at the beginning (turn clockwise direction /up/down and repeat the process anti clockwise) ... once you have some good marks and filed some cuts you then use the pull out technique by hand to mark the blank

remember with this pull out technique you shall see the mark on the side of its cut "valley" ... don't pay attention at this ... keep on filing straight down .. take time ... don't file too much each time

but if you are just beginning impressioning ... the best way is to use a real brass blank which fits correctly in its particular lock ... few a few you shall learn to interpret the marks, its location, false marks made by some metal cuts, etc etc it is a lone study !!

Good will !! and good luck !!!

use a good light magnifier to help you

[Schuyler]

Jimmie is awesome.

[Chucklz]

A quick question about these universal blanks...
Are they what we on this side of the ocean would call master sectional blanks, or are they blanks that happen to fit a large number of similar keyways from different manufacturers?

[Jimmie]

these "Universal blanks" fit a large number of European profile locks but are not a part of a master key system ...

as told before mine are for the most common 5 shaped locks ... so ... they fit many manufacturers ... these blanks are thinner than normal ones

[Chucklz]

Jimmie,

Is it common for people to have keys cut on these blanks? Would say a store that also cuts keys, but isn't a locksmith just stock these universal blanks and not worry about stocking the individual ones? Or are these mainly used by locksmiths for impressioning and when the keyway is too hard/too much trouble to identify.

[Jimmie]

I really don't know ... I'm sure a lot of smiths don't even know these "universal blanks" ... it seems these blanks are made to save time and money for "key cutters" who don't care to have a lot of blanks ... and don't care to serve their customers with a good working copied key