Foil Impression Success Stories?

[hozer2k]

I took a stab at foil impressioning and was able to open two locks relatively quickly (minute or so), but the impressions were not so hot. They look similar to key, but definately not enough quality to make a key from. In fact upon reinsertion it needed to be worked again before it would open again. Perhaps if my technique improves it will get better, but overall I am not too impressed with this.

Perhaps not a bad way to start a key though, at least it indentifies where the deep cuts are. You could be conservative and still have a pretty good head start on a regular impression.

[Chucklz]

What locks did you try, and what kind of comb did you end up making?

[hozer2k]

I tried a protecto and a first watch, both opened. The first watch is very wide and you can push the comb down and slide it out. The protecto is a problem though, it ends up locking the deep pin(s) and you cannot retract the comb. I have no idea how to combat this and it is a serious limitation.

I just scaled the comb from the pictures I saw and made it with a dremel and hack saw blade. You can also easily measure a lock or key to find out what the dimensions should be, its fairly straightforward.

[Grudge]

I believe the Falle foil tool set comes with a comb extractor. This basically is just a thin piece of metal that raises the pins all the way up so the comb can come out. I believe the method is to slide it in along side the comb (so both have to be pretty thin), raise the extractor (and thus the pins) and remove the comb.

[hozer2k]

Thanks Grudge, that helps a lot! I tried to do this, but my comb must not be thin enough. I will have to work on that and get an extraction tool.

Didnt you get the LSS? Does it have instructions on this?

[Grudge]

Yes LSS has a brief section on the process. What I wrote was from reading that section a week ago (and of course my memory is iffy at best ). Tonight I will review the section and post any additional details, unless someone else beats me to it.

Good luck and thanks for sharing your work on the foil impressioning. I have been wanting to get into that too!

[hozer2k]

I was able to get a couple locks within a minute so that part is a success. It seems pretty effective for that.

Bad part is the foil tends to tear coming out, thereby making it difficult to make a key from. I was able to make a key that got 4 out the 5 pins though...so it will get you close at the very least.

[Chucklz]

I was hoping someone with a slot cutting key machine would be able to help cut some combs out of actual blanks. Of course, the blanks would have to be ground down slightly to allow for insertion/removal with an appropriate tool. I think a Schlage L section in 5/6 pins and perhaps a Yale woudl be most useful. Any suggestions?

[hozer2k]

Is there a certain technique to use when foil impressioning?

I have been
1)push it up, slightly below top
2)tension
3)push all way up
4)repeat

So far this had worked great for a few locks, but it is failing on my home lock. I just end up working the whole thing down. I think my "slighly" below top is not slight enough, but after several attemps I am not getting anywhere with it.

[Grudge]

Here are some details from LSS. The Falle kit consists of aluminum foil sheets 30 to 40 microns in thickness, hobby knife for trimming the foil, foil 'combs' for 5 and 6 pin tumblers, tension tools, insertion and extraction tools. The foil combs are made of .4mm stainless steel they look something like this:
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It appears the foil is wrapped over the top of the comb pins, over the bottom and neatly trimmed.

The Insertion/Extraction tool (it is used to insert and remove the comb) is just a thin piece of metal shaped like this:
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The total procedure is:
1) repair the foil on the comb
2) insert the tension wrench
3) Use the Insertion/Extraction tool to lift the pins
4) Insert the comb
5) Apply torque and lift the comb to make the impression
6) Use the Insertion/Extraction tool to remove the comb

I am not sure if the Insertion/Extraction tool remains in during this process and how many times the comb is lifted or the torque required

[Chucklz]

40-50 um sounds just about as thick as kitchen foil thats not "heavy duty" if that helps anyone. Is this foil adhesive, ie like the foil tape used in the dimple method?

[Pheniox]

i would expect it is chucklz

[hozer2k]

The only foil tape I found was quite thick...but you need it to be about as thin as regular household foil I have found. Actually, I am experimenting with it just single sided and that may have some promise. I have trouble not losing the impression upon removal. You want to take the extraction tool out while doing the process.

So far I have gotten every lock with this and it is amazingly easy to do, but one of them took several attemps while the others were first shot. Making a key from the impression is possible, but you need to be very carefull with the extraction and I think single sided may help as well.

Anyone know where to get THIN aluminum tape?

[007]

Can someone explian to me how to do a foil impression so i can make a new key?

Do u pick the lock first before you make the impression?


Any info Please..

I read the threads but am aliitle confused .
Thanks

[HeadHunterCEO]

never used foil

always just used a key blank

is it quicker to use foil?