How to cut a key

Always called a locksmith. Good to know

$120.00 for a house call. This is cheaper

I've never lost a set of keys either ( insert sound of knocking on table here). But I have bought several cars I replaced the ignition switch on because there was no key. Didn't help with the door though. Thanks Steve!

good to know tech. thanks. got a pic of the file that you use?

Handy as I have no lock key for the wagon. Now I can lock the .doors. was just going to buy a new lock set till I saw the post.

Will try this on the 54 F-100, have 2 new blanks, if I can't fix it, I'll fix it so nobody else can.

The lock cylinders sometimes have the key code stamped on them.

Would these codes mean anything given their age? And wold a modern dealer be able to cut one from an old code and blank?

When I worked a a GM dealer in the 80s they had machines that cut keys to the code,back then I found the old style key blanks and made keys for my mid 50s Olds I had at the time. Not sure how they do it now but find a older dealer and check with them.

junkyardjeff wrote:When I worked a a GM dealer in the 80s they had machines that cut keys to the code,back then I found the old style key blanks and made keys for my mid 50s Olds I had at the time. Not sure how they do it now but find a older dealer and check with them.

Good to know. Finding the right person would be the trick. They are out there just have to find them.

The machine to cut the key with the code was a hand held and powered unit if my memory is correct,if you worked at that dealer and bought a new car I had access to the codes and I passed out keys so we could move the car on you and drive you nuts.

Reb Stew wrote:Cut, file that scratch. Here is what we have now.

Think this would work with a door key ?

Never tried a door key. I guess it matter what kind of car. Sometime you have to twist that blank pretty hard back and forth to get that scratch into the blank.

Thanks for the post reb, gonna put my own "twist" on this method by trying either prussian blue (that nasty gooey impression dye used by gear setup guys and babbitting people to check contact), or some aerosol machinist's blue. My reasoning is the sharpie can be quite durable, and being I need a door key, I am reluctant to twist real hard on that cylinder. I'll let you know how it works.

That should work a ton better! I'd use it if I had it.