first impressions

[_allan_]

Was on a master 7052 with schlage C cylinder
that I hadn't been able to pick.

Took me over 2 hours after I finally figured out how to
get marks. Couple of tips...this one was dirty
and I had lubed to try to help picking--not a good idea.

Pullout method worked AFTER I had filed down a little
bit (maybe 1 depth). I wasn't too worried since I had
followed an easier pointer and checked for 0/1 pins.
The tracks from just inserting
the key were easy to confuse with marks from toggling
up and down. Pullout left definite scratches and gouges
that were easy to read.

Use a good 8x loupe and hold up to different lights and
rotate back and forth under the light. Marks show up a lot better
at certain angles.
I was using this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/22290-REG/Horizon_GHZ103_8x_Focusing_Loupe.html


any pointers on getting better speed? I think it's going to
boil down to getting key gauges and filing to the heights.
I'm using a round #4 swiss file.

[UnlockingBoredom]

Filing to key depths using gauges will make it go faster if the lock is made up of standard pins.. I had a few that were loaded up with non-standard pins so I had to go back and do it right (meaning a little at a time.) Watch YouTube videos of Jos Weyers... i cant believe someone can impression a key that quick!

Practice is what will make you faster, It took me a couple hours when I first started out because I took so long to look at the marks from every direction and brushing the key with a toothbrush after each filing. Keep at it and you will get better and faster.

[GWiens2001]

Also keep in mind that if the lock has been heavily used over its lifetime, the pins (especially the first pins in the keyway) may be worn. So filing to the expected depths may put the cuts for the worn pins too deep.

Gordon