remaking a master key

[quantumnox]

Hi i have a box of these padlocks (Brand : American Lock) with all the individual keys, and i used to have the master key for the entire set but I have lost it. Is there any possible way I can make a new master key, even breaking apart some of the padlocks to look at the pins inside finding another key possibility to work on all of the locks?

ps. if this should be posted somewhere else someone let me know plz

thanks

[TOWCH]

Give American Lock Company a call, they have bittings on record. All you need is the code off one of the keys. They can get you the bitting for the master key from there and from there it's just a matter of cutting a key to the code. A locksmith to do this for you. An alternative would be removing the cores and measuring pins but it seems like what I just suggested would be easier.

[raimundo]

Mat Blaze has a paper on getting a master key if you have one key that fits the lock. To summarize it, make a copy of the key that fits a lock, but don't cut the last place, You know the other places fit, file that last part of the blank down, trying it as you go, until it turns at a place different from the place on the key you know fits, you have now located one of the master depths. make another copy of the key that fits, copy all but one place, you know it fits on all the positions except the one not cut, file and try file and try until it turns at a depth different from the known depth, you have now located another master depth. you only have 3 or 4 more depths to go, figure it out. you are looking for depths that work that are different from the ones on the individual key. Not all positions are mastered in all sets. Think about it, its simple

[MrB]

This process only works as advertised if the "one key that fits the lock" is a change key and not any kind of sub-master key.

If your working key already has any master depths on it, then you will end up discovering the change key depth for that position rather than the master depth.

[quickpicks]

I have a similar problem, exept the keys were lost
How do you measure the pins in an american lock?

[Pickermeapie]

To find the heights of American Lock pins, you would have to remove the plug and measure each pin with a micrometer. Then you would have to take the sizes and find a size/code chart and find the code for your key. From there, its just going to a locksmith and having them code cut the key for you.
-Pickermeapie

[quantumnox]

whats the best way to remove the plug from a padlock?

[Pickermeapie]

I must state that there is no 'best' way to remove a plug from a padlock, there is only one way. Open the lock and look down the shaft hole. If you see a screw take it out, if there is no screw, it is a unrekeyable padlock and you cannot remove it. Preform a search to find out more information.
-Pickermeapie

[Pickermeapie]

I'm sorry, I may have been a little wrong... Look here http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=3712&highlight=rekey+padlock

[quantumnox]

ok so if there is a screw then its a rekeyable padlock for sure?

[plot]

look at all your keys and write down the bit combinations...

then figure out the bit combination that would work with all of them... it'll be like a little puzzle, but process of elimination you can get down to what it COULD possibly be. work from there.

[raimundo]

by work from there, do you mean impression keys? once again looking for an unknown depth?

[_Ethereal_]

ok so if there is a screw then its a rekeyable padlock for sure?

Most padlocks are rekeyable, you just need to know how

[HeadHunterCEO]

Mat Blaze has a paper on getting a master key if you have one key that fits the lock. To summarize it, make a copy of the key that fits a lock, but don't cut the last place, You know the other places fit, file that last part of the blank down, trying it as you go, until it turns at a place different from the place on the key you know fits, you have now located one of the master depths. make another copy of the key that fits, copy all but one place, you know it fits on all the positions except the one not cut, file and try file and try until it turns at a depth different from the known depth, you have now located another master depth. you only have 3 or 4 more depths to go, figure it out. you are looking for depths that work that are different from the ones on the individual key. Not all positions are mastered in all sets. Think about it, its simple

and what if the last chamber isn't master pinned?