What Did You Impression Today?

[GWiens2001]

Well done, Petemoss!!! You have made your first key from scratch, including making the blank. Very well done. For almost all of us, including myself, the first time you are making a blank without special tools, it looked no better than yours.

A dremel can make cutting the warding cuts *(the lengthwise groove you were referring to), but aluminum tends to plug up the cutting wheel. It also does the same with files, though a file card can help reduce the plugging up of the file. If filing on aluminum to cut the bitting of the key, it can be helpful to use WD-40 on the file. Every few strokes of the file, use the file card to clean the file, then reapply WD-40 to reduce the aluminum sticking on the file. Wipe it off with a paper towel, and you are ready for more filing.

If you check at Ace Hardware or some other hardware store, they have strips of brass that you can use to make keys that are stronger than aluminum, and don't plug things up nearly as much.

Keep it up!

Gordon

[petemoss]

Thanks Gordon. I appreciate it. Yeah, she is definitely no looker.

You're right, the aluminum really does clog up the file. I was having to wire brush the aluminum mush out of it like every ten strokes. I've never heard of a file card before, I will check into that for sure. I had no idea about the WD-40 either, I will definitely give that a try.

I think I would really be happier with brass stock. I will look around. I almost bought some brass L brackets, but then I realized they were brass coated steel, so I figured that might not be a great idea.

Thanks again,
Petemoss

[jeffmoss26]

well done!

[demux]

If you check at Ace Hardware or some other hardware store, they have strips of brass that you can use to make keys that are stronger than aluminum, and don't plug things up nearly as much.

I've also purchased larger sheets of brass and nickel silver from here:

https://www.knifeandgun.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=38

Not sure how the prices compare, but the metal quality from there has always seemed quite good.

[technosasquatch]

Nothing super special. Made a key to some sort of scooter lock. 3 pins and was able to make it with 1 blank.

[Squelchtone]

Nothing super special. Made a key to some sort of scooter lock. 3 pins and was able to make it with 1 blank.

Hey nice job, don't sell yourself short. That's an awesome skill to have and everyone here should try it. I remember when I impressioned my first lock back in 2012, it is a very satisfying feeling.

Cheers
Squelchtone

[technosasquatch]

Thanks!

[GWiens2001]

Any time I make a key by impressioning, I end up turning the key like 30-50 times because it still seems almost like magic. Good job technosasquatch.

Gordon

[technosasquatch]

Any time I make a key by impressioning, I end up turning the key like 30-50 times

I do that too, I want to make sure its working as smooth as possible and also try to verify that i'm not pushing the key in any odd directions to make it work.

[demux]

Any time I make a key by impressioning, I end up turning the key like 30-50 times

I do that too, I want to make sure its working as smooth as possible and also try to verify that i'm not pushing the key in any odd directions to make it work.

If you have the right tools and equipment, it's also not a bad idea to measure the key and then grab a second blank and code cut one to factory specs (with perhaps any needed depth adjustments to account for existing wear on the lock), at least if you intend to use it frequently. Impressioning can be hard on a key blank and weaken it in ways you might not immediately see...

[GWiens2001]

Any time I make a key by impressioning, I end up turning the key like 30-50 times

I do that too, I want to make sure its working as smooth as possible and also try to verify that i'm not pushing the key in any odd directions to make it work.

If you have the right tools and equipment, it's also not a bad idea to measure the key and then grab a second blank and code cut one to factory specs (with perhaps any needed depth adjustments to account for existing wear on the lock), at least if you intend to use it frequently. Impressioning can be hard on a key blank and weaken it in ways you might not immediately see...

Very true. If the key is for a lock I intend to use a fair bit, or if I am making it for a customer, I either code cut or duplicate another key and the impressioned key goes into the recycling bucket. (Once the copied or code cut key is verified to work properly).

Gordon

[jeffmoss26]

made a key for this padlock on Tuesday...green lock for St Patrick's Day!

[jeffmoss26]

[technosasquatch]

Couldn't do it in one, had to dup and continue. I like pointy pins, it marked the whole way down.

[GWiens2001]

Couldn't do it in one, had to dup and continue. I like pointy pins, it marked the whole way down.

Nice clean rolling curves on the key. Nice.

Gordon