Chicago key blanks with dimples

[Jacob Morgan]

Noticed that some key blanks from Chicago (single-sided disc tumbler lock keys) are coming with a dimple on onw side. Was hoping that one of the locksmiths here could enlighten us as to what that dimple is there for. It appears that OEM Chicago keys have the dimples, not the after market blanks I have seen so far.

[billdeserthills]

It's old news, I'm afraid. I have seen these keys for 20+ years now perhaps even longer,
but I have only seen one or two clients with a dimpled key, in the shop. The dimple
keys are optional for the Ilco# AP 101- AP-104 keys to single sided disk locks. You can buy
the blanks with the dimple or without, I doubt it even matters 99% of the time because I
have seen so few of these locks/keys. I guess it originally was a higher-security option,
but in the US not many seem to know or care about high(er) security

See for yourself on page 6, bottom middle of page http://www.lsamichigan.org/Tech/JET-CATALOG.pdf

[Jacob Morgan]

It's old news, I'm afraid. I have seen these keys for 20+ years now perhaps even longer,
but I have only seen one or two clients with a dimpled key, in the shop...

Bill, any idea what the dimple actually does? From the Chicago catalog, it looks like these mainly have to do with Steelcase office furniture locks. Is it some sort of security feature that Steelcase dabbled with years ago?

[billdeserthills]

It's old news, I'm afraid. I have seen these keys for 20+ years now perhaps even longer,
but I have only seen one or two clients with a dimpled key, in the shop...

Bill, any idea what the dimple actually does? From the Chicago catalog, it looks like these mainly have to do with Steelcase office furniture locks. Is it some sort of security feature that Steelcase dabbled with years ago?

I can't recall seeing anything, I just figured there was an additional slider pin the dimple actuated

[Tyler J. Thomas]

It's old news, I'm afraid. I have seen these keys for 20+ years now perhaps even longer,
but I have only seen one or two clients with a dimpled key, in the shop...

Bill, any idea what the dimple actually does? From the Chicago catalog, it looks like these mainly have to do with Steelcase office furniture locks. Is it some sort of security feature that Steelcase dabbled with years ago?

Somewhat.

It's for a ball-bearing that was (might still be?) included in the plug on Steelcase XF series locks. Ball-bearing protects against plug rotation. Not necessarily picking protection (because nothing would be able to prevent it from dropping), moreso specialized blank protection. I guess. Hell, that's all I know.

[GWiens2001]

Like the American/Master Edge system. It is for key control, not picking resistance.

Gordon

[Jacob Morgan]

Like the American/Master Edge system. It is for key control, not picking resistance.

Gordon

Thanks everyone for the info.

Looked up the Master Edge system and found this.
http://www.masterlock.com/pdf/cms/Edge_Key_Control_Brochure.pdf

That clears it up. Like Gordon and Tyler said, does nothing for pick resistance, but would prevent a duplicate key without the dimple from working (not that someone could not copy the dimple with a Dremel tool). Maybe where it might mess someone up is if they tried to impression it with a blank that did not have the dimple.

[GWiens2001]

Just as a side note, if you want to impression one, use a Sharpie to mark the side(s) of the key blank. Turn and wiggle like usual. Remove the key and break out your Dremel.

Gordon