Power Keys

[Ethan500]

Just wondering if any of you have any knowledge about the Power Keys. Is it a useful tool? You can insert the Power keys into the key way and by slight knocking with a hammer, its suppose to drive the pins upward so they passed the shear line and by turning the PK the lock can be open. Its not cheap either, over US$200 for the full set.

My other question is, do we have to use a different PK for different brands of locks?

You can find them here:

www.multipick-service.com/en/start_en.htm

Thanks everyone!

Ethan500

[mbell]

You proably won't have found anything when searching becuase they're commonly called Rap/Bump/999/'Special' Keys.

Try http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2311&highlight=rap+keys for a starting point.

[jason]

They're worth having - I've got sets for Yale, Union, Gege, Viro and Legge really useful on euro profiles. I've used the the Yale and Union a couple of times on site and they are worth buying BUT use them to make a copy set (out of steel blanks) to carry with you on site (keep the originals safely at home) otherwise when they round off you have to replace them which is pricey

[Ethan500]

Jason,

Does that mean that you need one power key for each brand of locks? Can they also be use on dimple locks or high security locks?

Thanks.

Ethan500

[randmguy]

To be anal about it, you need 1 power key per keyway. I have been playing with bump keys a lot lately (on disability and got a Blitz for home use finally) and having more success with them than I did when I learned how they were made. They are useful but I don't think they're worth $200. For that kind of money you'd be just as well off buying a quality pickgun or electric pick which are doing the same thing only many more times a second. If you decide to try bump keys I can give you 2 bits of good advice: 1) Don't hit them with a hammer of any kind. A screwdriver handle supplies more than enough force to do the job. 2) Use a piece of rod or a tension wrench through the hole in the key to supply turning force. Trying to hold onto the bow of the key is a recipe for smashing your fingers repeatedly.

[toomush2drink]

Also most rap keys are of varying heights for each keyway, maybe 5/6 for one type of lock. If you have a key machine you could make your own copies as jason pointed out or even make your own from scratch if you know the spacings between pins.
At the end of the day they are only based on a key blank which are very cheap so so maybe making your own may appeal.

[Black]

These things sound great I was thinking of getting a starter set first but appart from Multipick-service.com where else can you get them. :?:

[jason]

SKS sell soubers keys (sold as special keys)

[stick]

Coincidentally, you asked this when Barry Wells came out with that paper on bump key usage. I'm not a locksmith, so I don't know how much keyblanks will cost, but it seems like it'd be cheaper to simply buy blanks and cut them to whatever depths are required to produce a bump key.

[plot]

Actually, the original question was posted in August

[stick]

Huh, didn't notice that. Wow, reeeeeeeeeally dead thread.

[raimundo]

bump keys are simply keys cut to the bottom depth on a code machine, a tiny reduction of the shoulder to let them into the lock is the final step. on google, you might also look for "shaved keys" which is probably a crude bump key, but is not struck, simply jiggled. also refered to as 'asian gang keys' in california.

[stick]

Hah. Living in California, it's not hard to imagine why it's called that.

[Menion]

I cant see paying 200 bucks for a specially cut key.. most common blanks cost between 8 and 15 cents each.. I cut bump keys all the time on a code cutter but im shure it wouldnt be hard to do with a file or even a dremel.. perhaps find a key with a really shallow cut in it, then use that as a template for cutting your bump key.

[amel skrijelj]

[quote="mbell"]You proably won't have found anything when searching becuase they're commonly called Rap/Bump/999/'Special' Keys.

Try http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2311&highlight=rap+keys for a star


where I can find to bay "rap/bump/999/special keys"