yey! I just made a bump key. And it works. I went out today and bought a set of hobby files (6 for $17...) and a few KW1 (Kwikset) keyblanks. I tried to make a copy of a key according to a sticky on here, but I messed up on the last pin out of five...ugh. too short...
Then I decided to make a bumpkey seeing as how one of the pins from the lock was an 8 or 9 depth. I spent the next hour and a half filing down the spaces, adjusting the angles so it wouldn't get stuck in the cylinder, and toying with the bottom shoulder and rim above the top shoulder because it was too long to fit the keyway of the lock. Then I came to this thread because I remembered you had to take some brass of the top should and tip. I read, and filed. Within 15 tries I had bumped my first lock. Then I did it two more times right away. It's kinda fun...and it worked out so well. It's no replacement for lockpicking, but I just think it's cool how it works. And all the mechanics inside the lock that you have to time right to get it to work. I'll have a few copies made tomorrow so I don't have to worry about breaking it.
One funny story: When I first heard about bumping, I decided to try and see if I could get all the pins to jump with a normal key. I inserted the key almost all the way into the lock and literally slapped it with my hand and turned, and to my amazement it opened on the first try. I guess that's what I get for using the key that came with the lock
