Micrometer Recommendation?

[mechanical_nightmare]

Any recommendations for micrometers that allow you to measure dimples on dimple lock keys? I have an Insize brand caliper but the probe that sticks out the bottom of it is too thick to accurately measure the dimples. I saw Kroeplin micrometers on some sites, are they good for this purpose?

[YouLuckyFox]

A pit depth gauge or a depth micrometer should work well for very precise depths. Making your own go-no gauge might be more affordable though.

Pit Depth Gauge:
Cheaper but less precise (and the head of the measuring instrument is pointed rather than cylinderical)
http://www.galgage.com/measuring_pits.html

Depth Micrometers:
More expensive but more precise (and the heads are generally not pointed)
http://www.starrett.com/metrology/metro ... y=none/asc

[YouLuckyFox]

A pit depth gauge or a depth micrometer should work well for very precise depths. Making your own go-no gauge might be more affordable though.

Sorry, meant to say "go/no-go gauge" and I can see that you are already familiar with depth micrometers. Please let us know if you find something that works out for you.

[YouLuckyFox]

Also, this has a pointed head and is from a reputable manufacturer:
http://www.insize.com/products/tools/pdf/depth%20gauge-c/2341.pdf

[mechanical_nightmare]

I will definitely check what the prices are locally for the Insize Dial Depth Gauge. I am satisfied with Insize's quality and will probably go for that if it is not too expensive. What I am doing is measuring the key pins of popular dimple locks (as many samples as possible from the same model/manufacturer). I also want to measure the depths of the dimples and try to determine their direct codes. I need a precise method of measurement for this purpose. Thank you for the links!

[YouLuckyFox]

You bet, let me know what ends up working. Nice signature, bytheway! Also, you may have thought of this but here's an idea I thought of since it is late at night. I guess if you had access to the back of the lock (so that you could get an Inner Diameter measurement between the Shear Line and the top of the Key Blade using standard Vernier Calipers--not familiar with Euro locks this may not work, but I have a DOM dimple lock that this measurement could be be made on from the back of the lock) you could subtract the distance between Shear Line and the top of the Key Blade from the pin length and get a very accurate measurement of the depth of the dimple. This is hard to explain so here's a choppy diagram I whipped up:



I know very little about dimple locks, let me know if this would or wouldn't work.

[mechanical_nightmare]

One of those D'oh moments... Yeah that should work just fine, and no need for me to get an expensive instrument for that purpose it seems. You would simply disassemble the cylinder and measure the key pins and the plug from the rear. I might still need to get the tool for making self-impressioning keys for these locks though, which I will eventually do.

[mechanical_nightmare]

Nice signature, bytheway!

lol Thanks, it really will!

[mechanical_nightmare]

It took a while but here it is:



It is a pain to set to zero... You need a very smooth, straight surface, like this pane of glass:



Then you loosen the retaining collar, and manually move the dial up/down until it is at 0, and hold it there while you tighten the collar. Since you are dealing with dimensions of 0.01mm (and even less), this is easier said than done.

Here are some measurements from a Kale Kilit dimple lock:





.23mm and 1.40mm for the first two cuts.

[YouLuckyFox]

Thanks for the update, man, that looks great! Please keep us posted on your progress.

[mechanical_nightmare]

By the way, that method of using the key pins and plug to take measurements is also pretty accurate. Measurements I took that way are only about 0.08 to 0.10 mm different from the readings I get off this tool. I think that has to do with the effective plug diameter, as it is a bit less than the actual plug diameter.

However, I have a number of old keys for which there is no lock, so I have a limited number of key pins, and that required me to get the tool. I measured 11 keys and now I am referring to LSS to try and determine the direct coding. If I'm stuck I'll probably start a thread about it and I'm sure someone can fill me in.

[YouLuckyFox]

Right, makes sense to me. Any luck on those tools from Russia? PM with details!