New member to the site and had a question

[schlaznger]

Does anyone know where I can get a stylish pair of handheld Lishi key cutters? I am having difficulty locating a pair or a distributor for sale of them. I know the manufacturer is in China but is there a location I can purchase them here in the United States as I would like to try to make bump keys for my own curiosity, and really dont want to pay the price they want for a set of them on the internet.
Also i just enjoy making my own tools.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Schlaznger

[freakparade3]

While I don't know where you can purchase the tool I am confused why you won't pay a far less price for a set of bumpkeys than the tool will cost?

[schlaznger]

Just to make them seems more enjoyable to be if I can even do it. I have not tryed it before so its just something to do.

Thanks

[barbarian]

You should be able to make some bumpkeys yourself.

I would recommend getting a cheap deadbolt because you might be quite rough on it with lots of bumping practice. Hold it in a vice or something solid. Also if you got a deadbolt with keys you would have the correct spacing and could just work on depth and shape. I would pick up a couple of uncut blanks too. Don't try learning on a lock that is being used, there are lots of ways to damage the lock or trap the key inside.

There are a couple of videos on youtube that describe making your own bumpkeys. Plus when you get tired of bumping, you can make a pick and learn picking.

[schlaznger]

Thanks B,

Great advise and I really appreciate your help. I am trying the picking as we speak but I am still new at it. The bump key was just another idea I got on You Tube and also were I got the idea for the Lishi key cutters from. Lockpicking is a new hobby or pasttime from me to help relax after a stressful day at college then work. Plus its much cheaper than fishing tournaments!!!

[awol70]

Just to make them seems more enjoyable to be if I can even do it. I have not tryed it before so its just something to do.

Thanks

i have the cutter.( it is very fun.=)
you can turn out killer bumpkeys in seconds,once you have a bit of practice .
all you have to do to get good results is note your spacing data and mark it on the blank...
the cutters are not accurate enough to cut working keys,first time round,
without a LOT of practice.
i have posted on various forums asking for help,and if anyone knew how to use the clippers,but it seems nobody is talking. =/
it's been trial and error and a lot of junked blanks for me,but it balanced out in the fun department.
i found that once you get the spacing marked,
to clip a regular key, you want to leave the cuts high,and adjust them with a file in small increments from there.
good luck..

[christmas8371]

hi, i'm also interested in trying out bump keys on my practice locks and want to make some myself. i've seen a tutorial (pretty basic) on google videos (bump key howto) but i also came across these keys on ebay

Code: Select all

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=230336998436&Category=63891&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D2

. the seller claims they are NOT bump keys but there doesn't seem to be any difference between them (probably to get around ebay selling policy on lockpicking tools). Are they bump keys or not? if not, would it be worth buying them anyways and maybe filing down further?

[barbarian]

Those are not bumpkeys. They are exactly what he says.

Try looking on ebay for depth keys. The text will say something about most popular keyways and deepest depth cuts.

[christmas8371]

thanks for clearing that up for me- just came back from my local Sainsburys which also has a keycutting booth in it. had a chat with the bloke who was working there about buying some blanks (told him i was planning a stag party with a lock box prize) and he ended up giving me a handful of yale blanks free. i'm going to have a go at cutting these in the next couple of days and should be able to produce a decent bump. will keep you informed.

[TheSkyer]

With most locksmiths you can be honest about using blanks to make bump keys.

I went to my local locksmith a couple of days ago to get an AXA blank (for bicycle locks). He looked at me and said "You're gonna use these to bypass the lock aren't you?". I told him that was the plan, however he knows I am a locksportist so he said "A well, if you would want to steal a bike you'd probably take one locked up with a cheap padlock since you can open those in a few seconds anyway". And that's the point, if i want to steal a bike I can, with or without him.

Just tell your locksmith what you are doing, show him your skill (I gave my locksmith a set of lock picks to play with for free), stay on friendly terms. Truth is worth more than deception in the end

[barbarian]

.....(told him i was planning a stag party with a lock box prize) and he ended up giving me a handful of yale blanks free. .

Reminds me of a story. I was looking for a bunch of blanks uncut and went to the local hardware store. The guy asked me if it was for a wedding. He offered to give me a bunch of miss cut keys. (perfect for bumpkeys) I asked him about the wedding. At some point during the wedding speeches, someone says that the bride is now off the market and if anyone in the crowd happened to have a spare key to her old apartment, could they return it now.

Of course pretty much every guy in the place walks up and passes over a key.