Introduction: Forget Lock Picking, Clone/copy the Key and Be a Spy
How to make a useable copy of a key!
You can use this to copy a cylinder lock key within minutes. Especially great if you have a key that says 'do not copy' on it. You will need:
Access to the key (for a few seconds)
A drinks can or other thin metal
Paper
Scissors
Glue
Printer
Ruler or other hard blunt edge
I have copied a master key for an entire office block doing this and it worked fine.... I have also copied a Yale lock key for a lock which I have been having trouble picking.
Step 1: Copy the Key - Quick!
Get a copy of the key using either:
Scanner - easiest
Camera - you must have a scale present in the picture (ruler etc)
Photocopier
Impression in bluetak or clay, then scan it or photocopy it. I personally would try and highlight the impression with tipex or something first to ensure a good print.
Print 2 copies of it in the correct scale so that you have two 1:1 copies of the key
Now roughly cut the copies out. Don't worry about cutting each tooth properly, just leave excess paper around it all.
Step 2: Thin Metal
Take a drinks can/tin and cut a rectangle big enough to stick the key to, or any other thin metal. I have included picture of me copying the same key on a drinks can and a fish tin!
Stick 1 cutout key onto it.
Step 3: Cut the Copy
Cut the new metal key copy out. You need to cut it leaving some excess metal around the teeth area, we will need the excess later!
See the second picture if you are unsure what I mean....
Step 4: Make the Groove
Take another key with a groove in it, it doesn't have to be the original, we are going to use the groove in it to create our groove in the copy.
Now line the groove up with your printout and force a groove into your new copy using a ruler or something thin and blunt. Press the ruler down and whilst holding it down flatten the sides which will now be sticking up in a V shape. See the pictures for detail.
Step 5: Make the Final Cuts
Now that you have the correct grooves, you can line up the key with the second printed copy, at this point you will need to cut the second printout exactly around the profile of the key (teeth included). Now it will become apparent why we left some extra on the teeth; the groove will have shortened the height of the key and so the teeth now need to be cut higher up on the metal.
Cut the teeth with continual reference to the printout. This is the crucial part, it must be very accurate. Make sure the teeth are not slanting to one side, if this is the case then the thin metal may slide down the edge of the pins and not push them up. Use scissors with a good pointed cutting end and try to cut only using this end.... this allows you to get quite accurate cuts without manoeuvring the scissors around risking bending the teeth.
Step 6: Use the Key!
Insert the key into your lock of choice, do this slowly, you may need to wiggle it very gently, but if your copy is good then it WILL go in fine. Now you must use a tension wrench or otherwise to turn the lock because the metal is not strong enough. You may need to gently move the key in and out of the lock by a few millimeters. Its amazing when you see it turn!
The tension wrench is simply an L shaped flat piece of strong metal which can be inserted into the keyway allowing me to turn it. You can construct this from a paperclip, or use a thin flat screwdriver.
I have made four different keys using this method, and they all work!
If you find your copy isn't quite working, compare it to the printout again. If this looks fine, then watch the way the key interacts with the pins as it enters the lock... if you find it moves to the side of them, then bend the teeth in a bit to compensate.
155 Comments
15 years ago on Introduction
i just use a clay impression and fill it with solder.
Reply 2 years ago
Lol are you like Paris Hilton hehe
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
A clay impression would require both sides to be taken wouldn't it? you would then have to create the mold and somehow melt the solder into it. Whilst this may work it seems far more difficult than this method. Does it work well? Do you need a tension wrench for it?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
"A clay impression would require both sides to be taken wouldn't it? you would then have to create the mold and somehow melt the solder into it. Whilst this may work it seems far more difficult than this method." true, but if you used the kind of clay that hardens in an oven, you could bake it without metal, cut it in half, fill it with solder wire and stick it together and heat it up great instructable!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
There are metals (like Wood's metal) that melt merely in hot water, BTW. Great for prototyping, etc.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Yes, you must have and impression of both sides, fill them both with solder, then melt them together bye giving the inside a quick run-over with a solder iron. This does not require a tension wrench as long as it is done correctly. It is a fairly brittle metal though, so don't drop it!
14 years ago on Introduction
i have a better idea. go to home depot and use the key making machines which make your key in a few seconds. and it costs 3 bucks!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Go ahead, just try and get a key stamped "Do Not Copy", copied.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
you do it yourself. 0.o
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Oh sure. You know what blank to use as well, eh? Anything marked as "Do not copy" isn't on an A1/YA1E/U5 blank like this key. It'll be on a restricted or patented section, often with moving parts etc and a much tighter keyway. And I doubt anywhere in the USA will let you use the key machine yourself even if you know what you are doing - lose an eye to a bit of aluminium or other swarf and you'd be sueing them for millions. Certainly in the UK they won't even let most of the staff use the key machines in the DIY stores.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
do u live in te uk cos i do uk rocks
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Yes, I do. However, the UK rocks only a bit. The Midlands rocks most, as we have Kerrang radio.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
and guess wat canada rocks even more :P lol jks
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
US rocks the most!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
USA! USA! USA! lol
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
X3
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
not to reply like 8 months later but...
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE, OUI OUI OUI!!!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
You are French, no? "Also, Also, Also, Yes, Yes, Yes".
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
But Aussie's don't get any of the fun stuff, like blood in video games, or firecrackers.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
most def