Making A Split Key for DOM iX

[GWiens2001]

Have tried finding a split key DOM iX for a while, but no luck. So I recently bought a mortise cylinder DOM iX with a couple of keys. Had some spare keys cut, two of which were only cut on one side (plus the edge cut).



Cut two in half, slightly off center to make sure that half of the key is untouched.



It is surprising how little the sides absolutely have to match to work. This is the same key, but even with the center cut away by the the dremel, the key can still work.





But I don't want something that looks awful in my collection. So next we file the key halves carefully to make them match.



Next to an uncut key...



The other side should be blank so the half that someone has in their possession can not be duplicated to the other side to make a working key. Here are the two split key halves seen from the blank side.



Put in the halves.





At the same time, folks!







Interesting that the blanks are not identical. ITALY lines up, as does the top edge of the key ring hole, but the bottom edge of the key ring hole does not match even closely.



So now you can make a split key, too.

Gordon

[zeke79]

That is really well done! Awesome work.

[greengrowlocks]

Those two halves really come together nicely. Great work Gordon!

Do you know if the Dom iX locks with interactive element also came in a split key format? I have one that came with 6 keys. If they were also produced with the split key I wouldn't mind trying to make one. One of the sides would need to be larger though to accommodate the ball in the center of the key.

[GWiens2001]

Those two halves really come together nicely. Great work Gordon!

Do you know if the Dom iX locks with interactive element also came in a split key format? I have one that came with 6 keys. If they were also produced with the split key I wouldn't mind trying to make one. One of the sides would need to be larger though to accommodate the ball in the center of the key.

Thank you, guys. Am pleased with how this one turned out.

GGL - Yes, that model did come with a split key, but the split made one side like an L shape at the tip to include the interactive element and the tip bitting of the other side and the other side had four of the five bittings. Somewhere I have a picture, or saw one online.

Gordon

[jeffmoss26]

What is the purpose of the split key? Great work as always!

[GWiens2001]

What is the purpose of the split key? Great work as always!

Think of it as a modern bicentric lock. Both halves are needed to operate the lock. One manager has one half, another would have the other half.

Gordon

[GWiens2001]

GGL - if you look at page 13 of this excellent paper on the Dom iX by Han Fey, you can see four different variations of split keys by DOM, three of which have the check ball in the key. I'd post the picture, but the picture is not mine, and would want to get Han Fey's permission to use the picture. If someone knows Han Fey and can get his permission, it would be nice to add the picture to the thread.

Gordon