The key is very important. Without it, it is impossible to open and close an apartment, a car, a garage, and even a mailbox. Keys tend to get lost, which causes a lot of inconveniences. As a rule, in such cases, you have to contact special workshops. But if you wish, you can make a duplicate of the key yourself. This will not take much time.
DIY Duplicate Key
In any city, there are craftsmen who make keys. But finding such a master who will quickly make a high-quality duplicate is not as easy as it seems at first glance. In addition, his work will cost money. Those who do not want to waste their time can get a key maker machine or try to make a copy themselves at home.
Method 1: To Take Key Impression
The manufacturing process should begin with a cast. The quality of the duplicate depends on how accurate it will be. To make a cast, you will need:
· Ordinary plasticine
· Any lubricant
· A thin sheet of metal (a metal ruler will do)
A layer of plasticine with a thickness of no more than 15 mm should be applied to the metal plate and coated with a lubricant (for example, oil). This will prevent the key from sticking. Then you need to strongly press the original key to the plasticine so that a clear mark remains on it. The finished impression can be used to make a copy.
Method 2: To Take Key Impression
Another option is to measure all the parameters of the plasticine cast using a ruler and transfer it to paper. Based on them, create a drawing, which will later be used in the production of a duplicate. The complexity of this method lies in the need to maintain maximum accuracy. Even the slightest deviation or inaccuracy will cause the copy of the key to be unusable. But there are situations when it is impossible to use the original for the impression due to its loss.
Casting A Key
Then you can do the following:
· Insert the metal plate into the keyhole until it stops.
· Clamp the head with pliers and turn to the right as much as possible, making an opening movement.
· Make several vertical and horizontal movements.
· Turn the plate all the way to the left and again move up and down.
After that, you need to pull the workpiece out of the larva. The internal pins should be clearly printed on them.
Manufacturing Process
When the cast is ready, you will need to purchase a special blank. It can be found in the store. Using a needle file, you need to cut out all the notches, protrusions, and depressions on the workpiece, exactly copying the drawing or cast.
The peculiarity of the duplicate is that it penetrates the keyhole more difficult than the original key. To simplify the process of opening and closing, it is recommended to make the corners and edges not sharp, but slightly rounded. The main thing is not to overdo it and do everything with the utmost care. Otherwise, there is a risk of spoiling the workpiece. Then the painstaking process will have to be repeated again.
Making Key Through Tape and Tin Can
Another option for making a duplicate is with tape and a tin can. To make a key in this way, you will need:
· Heat the original over the lighter until soot appears on it, cool.
· Stick a strip of adhesive tape on the black surface of the key, press it, peel it off.
On the sticky side of the adhesive tape, an exact imprint of the shape of the key will remain. You need to glue a strip on a fragment of a tin can and cut a copy according to the black silhouette. Since the metal from which tin cans are made is rather soft, you can use scissors rather than a file to work with it. Of course, it is not worth making duplicates in this way for opening entrance doors and cars. This option is suitable for mailboxes, secretaries and desk drawers.