impressioning files

[UnlockingBoredom]

Hi guys, I was just looking around for files for doing impressioning and came across a set of 2 files that are exactly what I wanted as they have the angles and the flat bottom like a key machine would cut. Has anyone tried these? They are from China so I dont know their quality and it takes almost a month to ship here.

Anyone out there ever try these?

[tomasfuk]

It looks like they have an angle of 60º. It would have been better 90º.
Where did you find it?

[UnlockingBoredom]

They are on eBay, I couldnt remember if it was ok to post a link so I just posted a picture. Its under locksmith equipment and I searched for files

[tomasfuk]

If you don't want to post a direct link to ebay, you can post the item number.

[blue60]

I have a set of these
I have made 1 key with them and they worked well.

[blue60]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291422965627
here is the URL i messed up and cant edit my post.

[tomasfuk]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291422965627
here is the URL i messed up and cant edit my post.

A nice cross section. I just measured the angles for your convenience:

I found this product at aliexpress too, Product ID 32319605309 for the same price.

If you wish to use it for impressioning, you will be probably slow as you will use only one edge (138º) mostly.
I'll probably buy one set, thanks for finding it.

[Raymond]

I have had a similar file for many years but it is too coarse to be used for impressioning. It is very useful when making keys by hand. I wonder how fine the teeth on this one are.

[MrWizard]

There are a lot of gimmicks out there for impressioning, some good some not so good. But in the end all one needs is a pair of 6 inch vise grips and a #4 cut 6 inch round impressioning file. I use the needle nose one as they look different than regular vise grips to the customer so they don't get the feeling what the hell is this guy doing with vise grips forcing the lock to open? Some don't like the needle nose cause if too much force is use they will slip some on the blank. If it is slipping you are using too much force. Now back to the file.The round #4 cut 6 inch file is what I suggest everyone should use to learn how to impression it is all you will ever need.

Richard

[tomasfuk]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/291422965627
here is the URL i messed up and cant edit my post.

I purchased them on aliexpress 2 weeks ago, today obtained them.
They are two - similar profile as in the picture, but not exactly the same. See the pictures.
One has wider edges, 20 teeth/cm (50 teeth/inch), the other one has narrower edges, 22 teeth/cm (55 teeth/inch).

[tomasfuk]

I have had a similar file for many years but it is too coarse to be used for impressioning. It is very useful when making keys by hand. I wonder how fine the teeth on this one are.

Yes, too coarse to be used for impressioning.

[cledry]

I used to have an actual file that was an impressioning file that had the correct angles. I never used it except when I was close or had a key impressioned with my regular file. I would then use it just to clean up the angles before duplicating. Lost the file about 8 years ago.

[cledry]

Grobet has a 3 square file that is useful and comes in the same cut as do their files most of us use for impressioning.

[jimu57]

I like that file. I use a triangular file to start. Cut close to where it needs to be. Then finish it off with a square file to get the 90 degree profile and to fine tune the depth. This file can probably cut all the way and have a nice working key. I gotta have me one these! or 7 of them.

j

[Shifty1]

Just can`t beat a Grobet pippin #4 swiss. Just can`t!