How to pick KABA?

by **drv** » 15 Oct 2004 22:05

The Kaba and Lips Keso locks (and probably many other dimple style
locks) are actually VERY EASY to impression, but you will need some
key casting experience ... (which is quite an art on it's own)

You will need to create a key blank, made out of lead (Pb)

First, obtain an original key fitting the lock, to make a mold of
(best is to use wax or sillicone). Any key will do, as long as it
is for the same type of lock of course.
Remove all charecteristics of this particular key in the mold, so
you will have created a mold for a key blank.

For materials : visit a gun shop to buy a set used by sport-shooters,
for casting lead bullets. (these sets are legal to buy without a gun
license/permit in most countries).

Now cast a key blank out of lead, allow it to cool, and start impressioning
(very little force is needed to do this the right way).

You may like to use a felt pen for markings on the blank and
a drill to deppen the dimples as you go.

I impressioned a Kaba Gemini key within 15 minutes once, using this technique.
Afterwards I created a 2nd mold of this finished/impressioned key
and casted it in iron, to create a working permanent key.

by **PickPick** » 24 Oct 2004 20:21

Isn't there the danger of removing too much metal at once using a drill? And how much force do you need to use when turning the key to get marks? I presume you can't use as much as force as when you're impressioning with a normal brass key.

by **drv** » 24 Oct 2004 21:56

Not really, but it is best to use a battery powered drill, set to the
lowest speed.
Also the slope at the point of the drill needs to match the angle of
the dimples in an original key.

Regarding force :
For impressioning a conventional, serrated key you need lots of torque
and left/right movement to achieve your goal.
To impression a dimple key (with up to 15-some pins) you do
not need so much turning force. Only just enough to trap the pins.
Then you move the key back and forth in the lock (so NOT left/right),
but only a thousand of an inch or so.

Remember that dimples are round in comparision to the bottoms of the
teeth on serrated keys, which are straight lines.

by **sevenply** » 24 Oct 2004 22:09

In one of the H.O.P.E. videos the guy impressions a dimple lock. He takes a special key, I assume a blank but I also assumed it had all the possible holes drilled to the deepest depth. He then wraps this metal type tape over the key. Now that I think of it, I don't think he actually does it, just shows the prep. The dimple locks make me think of tubular locks. I am getting the impression both of these style of locks are very vulnerable to impressioning. Maybe in another 5 or 10 years someone will find a household object (bic pen in the case of tubular locks) to stick in a dimple lock that easily impressions and everyone will panic.

by **Chucklz** » 24 Oct 2004 23:56

Bary does indeed show the impressioning.

by **xlr8ed1** » 12 Nov 2004 0:35

We sell these kaba locks and i can say they are the worse over engineered pile of crap i have ever worked with. You can have up to 32 springs in the lock - what do you think can happen up to 32 different springs? Thats right they get crunched around and the lock turns into a big expensive non functioning heap of crap - which you cant drill because they are to expensive and they dont want to buy another.
As for picking i honestly dont really know - but either way dont buy one to find out how

by **pinky** » 12 Nov 2004 13:57

just an observation , but you seem to like that word, "crap" , and you use it in so many different ways, i cant wait for the next "crap" orientated post it makes such thrilling reading.

to kaba cylinder locks, despite obviously being "crap" , they remain a high security lock favoured by government departments for their security, and one of the locks that remains upon a locksmiths wish list to be able to effectively pick with any consistency.

the lock is pickable , as is it impressionable but not easily.

by **gee252** » 20 Nov 2004 5:47

ive just purchased one of these locks of ebay, would like to try and pick it but will spend most of the time looking at it and scratching my head.
would it help me to understand the workings by dismantling the lock or is this a no go area( don,t want bits flying all over the place)?
any info please

by **PickPick** » 20 Nov 2004 7:38

As long as it works, I wouldn't disassemble it, as there are a lot of very small parts inside. But it's just a normal pin tumbler lock after all, if you know how a Kwikset works, you know how a Kaba works.

by **Eldoc** » 7 Jun 2005 9:44

I really should like to see drv working and opening a Kaba Gemini S in 15 minutes.

Bye all

Eldoc

by **Shrub** » 7 Jun 2005 11:29

DONT PULL IT APART !!! you will regret it :lol:

You can pick them with a syringe needle and i notice pickgun attachments coming more popular for them.

by **rayman452** » 7 Jun 2005 16:20

OMG can't thermite be used to open these locks :twisted:

I can't get over that line...

by **digital_blue** » 7 Jun 2005 20:10

Oh for Pete's sake.... will it never end???

by **raimundo** » 8 Jun 2005 14:52

Thermites eat crap :evil:

by **Shrub** » 9 Jun 2005 4:53

I thought they mostly ate wood but we dont have them here so i was only summizeing.

How to pick KABA?

Kaba

thermites

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