Master Combo Key

[Exodus5000]

I have 3 master combos, each with a keyway. I bought them with the understanding that they are all keyed the same, but without a key. I went out to the hardware store and got a key blank.

If you havn't already guessed, I want to make a key for my locks. I HAVE impressioned a kwikset before, but I'm still a babe in the forest on impressioning. Is there a way I can cut a key for my locks without:

A) Impressioning
B.) Destroying one of my locks and removing the core.

I looked around on the lock and it doesn't look like I can remove the core otherwise through use of a hex wrench or something of the sort. Perhaps its possible and I just can't see it?

[frollard]

I took mine apart

no, you cant get it out without removing the backplate.

I was going to make a key for mine, then I pulled a boner - dropped the plug and all the pins went flying - so I COULD make a key, but it wouldnt be in the right order (likely not)

if someone has ever made a key if they could post a scan, so I can tell which order they go back in - that'd be splendid.


my advise - its fun, take one apart! learn the deep inner workings of this beast. it peels open like a tin can (no kidding), then all the parts are 'loose'

[Exodus5000]

How did you go about disassembling yours?

[CaptHook]

Something you can try, If you have any small master lock keys laying around (m2s), try them in the lock, and try to impression the lock using the already cut key. If you are lucky, the depths will be low enough in each position (no key cut higher than the lock you are impressioning) that you can make a working key. Just a thought if you are having trouble getting blanks?
Chuck

[frollard]

taking apart a master combination lock



by frollard.


step one. take it apart

step two. enjoy.



seriously though, I used a pair of electricians pliers/snips (exclusively snips)...

hold lock firmly, and (this is hard) try to hook a point of one of the tines of the snips ever so slightly under the inner lip of the rim (notice how its just the outside, folded in over a cover plate?

SQUEEZE LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SQUEEZED BEFORE!

then twist outward, should take about 40 of that ^^ action to get the whole back off. - alternately you can just dremel or grind off the lip. I didnt have a grinder with me at the time.

once inside, it might sproing on you - but I have taken pictures...
http://frollard.serveftp.com:81/MasterLock/combo.html

dont share that link around...yet - I'll publish the whole thing in due time.

[Guitar_J]

Nice pics follard!

[Exodus5000]

*sigh of frusteration*

OK - here's my problem: I disassembled the lock, but in the process the keyway of the lock warped slightly so that the key cannot be inserted. So now I cannot simply insert the key, watch where the pins line up on the shear line and file accordingly. So - i have the pins organized correctly in an egg carton and am looking for a way to make a key from looking at the pins corresponding to each other. The problem is, I dont know how far up the most shallow setting pin is needed to be pushed to meet the shear line. So if I can't correctly measure the distance for that pin, every other pin will be off by that much as well creating a key that is cut consistantly too shallow. Someone please help, frusteration is overwhelming.

[Exodus5000]

*bump*

[Guitar_J]

Ever figure anything out?

[Exodus5000]

I very kindly had the specs looked up for they keying on my serial number/v number.

If I were to do it again, I would try to remove the core a lot more gently.

[skold]

learn lock reading