Interesting conundrum.....

by **Chrispy** » 20 May 2005 22:04

What would be an easy way to raise a cut depth probably about 1 or 2 depths as I have filed down too far and do not want to wait for another black to be sent from...... Canada..... or something.....

I was thinking a drop or two of super glue, wait for hardening, and then file down to correct depth. This should work as the hardened glue doesn't need to be so strong as to turn the cylinder, just to lift the pin. Correct?

Give me your opinions. I posted this here instead of other forums because it doesn't really fit into any other forums, hence, general chatter it is....

Chrispy.

by **digital_blue** » 20 May 2005 22:10

I would think that solder would work in a pinch. Be sure to heat the key and not the solder, of course.

db

by **Ezer** » 20 May 2005 22:28

Without more details I'm not sure what exactly your situation is, but can you not get another blank from a local locksmith or any store that does keys? If you can't do that, is there a chance of just rekeying the lock to work with your key?

by **SFGOON** » 20 May 2005 23:02

You could try making a cast of the key then altering the cast, just an idea.

by **Romstar** » 21 May 2005 0:43

If you are impressioning a key for a lock which has nine minor depths, you can do the following.

Get a ball peen hammer, anything else won't work as good. Get a large metal surface, such as a vice or anvil.

Lay the key on the vice or anvil, and tap the appropriate space smartly with the ball end of the hammer.

Do this as accurately as possible, and check after each strike. Measure if possible.

The hammer will compress the blank enough to raise the depth up to where you need it. Try not to mar the wards too much, as they can be difficult to reform with a file.

If you need to go higher than 2 depths, you may wish to get another blank.

Good luck,
Romstar

by **HeadHunterCEO** » 21 May 2005 9:07

jb weld
would work as a temp solution

by **raimundo** » 21 May 2005 9:58

romstars method will work, but tap the pin punch carefuly, as it also makes the blank thinner and can destroy it. I do the same malleablity exploit in a more controlled manner by pinching with the corner of the jaw of a vice grip, in this way you can get control of exactly how much pinch you apply.

by **mupet** » 23 May 2005 0:54

What type of blank is it if has to be sent from canada when most of the keys produced are avalible here in Aus

by **Chrispy** » 23 May 2005 18:28

9FAC - FAC11 Ilco Blank. It is most likely that it could be purchased somewhere in Aus, but I was led to believe that it was only available from Canada on special order.

Thank you for your suggestions guys, but my superiors have decided to order some anyway as they require another set for a new employee starting in June. Your help was most appreciated. :wink:

by **Zoooooble** » 24 May 2005 14:19

Seconding what digital_blue said.

I've used solder to raise cuts on keys before, and it works great. It'll wear down over time, but it's a pretty decent and really quick and easy solution.

by **mupet** » 24 May 2005 17:51

Thats a big blank