Odd thing when i tried to have my key duplicated

[Brad5301]

I stop by a hardware store to get my only ignition key to the Dart duplicated. The knowledgeable lady was doing all sorts of tinkering and called for assistance. “Dave” found my key to be extremely worn down, and a split is visible down the length of the blade.
He taped a modified blank to the original so it would fit in the machine. He made a couple copies at no charge singe he didn’t think they would be successful. He also advised to NOT put the original back in the ignition, for fear of breaking.

I explained the car had low miles (36,000). He said it must have lived in a man’s pocket for years and years. Just wearing out on a ring- i suspect the original owner , who had a primary car.

At home, one key didnt work. The second would allow the ignition to turn but tightly and not enough to engage the starter. I suppose my next step is to take the original; still attached to the modified blank, and the key partially working to a full time locksmith.

Anyone know enough about key smithing to offer advice? Maybe it just needs some fine polishing?

 

[Dana67Dart]

All it takes is one or two cuts to be too high or low to drag.

Post some photos of the oem key ( keep in mind that the photo could be used to make a key)

this is an OEM ORIGIONAL key from 1965 used in a car with over 300,000 miles on it as a daily driver.

still works in the doors and the ignition

if you can get the car to a lock smith they can make a key that works great in all the locks and then punch a master that other keys can be copied off of. that way you have good key to copy from. probably about 60.00 -100 for the master key then whatever they charge for the rest.


I would not be taking the word of the hardware store over a locksmith

 

[340six]

All it takes is one or two cuts to be too high or low to drag.

Post some photos of the oem key ( keep in mind that the photo could be used to make a key)

this is an OEM ORIGIONAL key from 1965 used in a car with over 300,000 miles on it as a daily driver.

View attachment 1716520677

still works in the doors and the ignition

if you can get the car to a lock smith they can make a key that works great in all the locks and then punch a master that other keys can be copied off of. that way you have good key to copy from. probably about 60.00 -100 for the master key then whatever they charge for the rest.


I would not be taking the word of the hardware store over a locksmith

I agree. The guy across from us was a locksmith, he knew his stuff.
I had a tool box that my son lost keys to. Picked lock like he put a key in it. That fast. Had the lock out ASAP took it to his van that had a desk and key machine in it. Pulled it apart measured and made keys. He made keys from the numbers for my original keys from Chrysler blanks. Rebuilt some old cylinders with new pins and springs too.
He likes locks that are locked. It's fun for him.
Them guys are masters at what they do. Gets in safes like in the movies too.
Sadly he moved so not right across the street. But we get stuff done where he used to work. But not for free anymore lol

It's true locks keep honest people out. He's scary fast getting into locked stuff.

 

[rbkt65]

Someone on here used to do keys and cylinders.

 

[Brad5301]

Here we are. The split is along the length of the groove

 

[Brad5301]

@340six , yes we called locksmiths in to open safes from investigations . Mainly drilled through the door near the dial to cut through a steel rod

 

[Dana67Dart]

There are several blanks and some fit in some cylinders better than others.
My car needs an "I" blank, the blank called for by the books call out a different blank.

Your OEM key turns the lock?

If so, you can pop the cylinder out and bring it to a real lock smith. You might need to pull the switch assy out to get access to the pin.

 

[Kern Dog]

Keep in mind that the key only touches pins inside the lock to allow the cylinder to move. The key shank itself should not be under much tension if all the pins are properly moved into position.

 

[RustyRatRod]

One of my best friends, Billy Peyton, (RIP) could cut keys with an old Curtis hand held key cutter so good, it was ridiculous. We worked at the Toyotee place together. He was in the parts department and I was in service. Billy really had the knack for it. Key cutting with the electric machine is a lost art now, much less with the old hand helds.

 

[MV8]

How about a pic of the new lined up on top of the old? The shoulder can also be off long-ways.

I buy blanks and cut them at home using needle files and careful use of a standard vice but the tools are cheap. Needles are also good for making round holes square in new panels to fit a toggle switch key slot or a square switch.

Example of an Ebay needle file set

A pocket holder/vise

 

[pauly]

Gunbunny might be able to help
You. Just bought some locks and keys from him at the Indy swap meet

 

[toolmanmike]

Take one of your newly cut keys and run it on a wire wheel. It may smooth out the humps just enough to work smoothly.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

I agree. The guy across from us was a locksmith, he knew his stuff.
I had a tool box that my son lost keys to. Picked lock like he put a key in it. That fast. Had the lock out ASAP took it to his van that had a desk and key machine in it. Pulled it apart measured and made keys. He made keys from the numbers for my original keys from Chrysler blanks. Rebuilt some old cylinders with new pins and springs too.
He likes locks that are locked. It's fun for him.
Them guys are masters at what they do. Gets in safes like in the movies too.
Sadly he moved so not right across the street. But we get stuff done where he used to work. But not for free anymore lol

It's true locks keep honest people out. He's scary fast getting into locked stuff.

Yep,,
A good locksmith can get into any lock .
It’s spooky how fast they can do it too .

Years ago bought a brand new toolbox,,got it discounted because the keys were lost in the store .
They told me to take it across town to the lock shop and he would make me some keys for it .

He climbed into the bed of my truck,,and looked into the lock with something that looked similar to what a Doc looks into your ears with .
He leaned back a few seconds,,looked into the lock again,,,,then took a new key blank and stated filing it in on his bent knee .
He inserted the key,,,almost got it .

Filed it a few more licks,,,then opened the lock .
Altogether it took him maybe 30 seconds .

We went inside and he made an extra key on the machine .
He charged me 5 bucks altogether .

Those guys can do anything,,,it’s a good thing they are honest .
Lol .

Tommy

 

[jos51700]

My dad is a locksmith. He probably has 1000 pounds of brass key blanks. He would take a blank, put in the lock, jiggle it around and start filling based on the pin wear. It's called impressioning. He can make a key to most locks in under 5 minutes.

That key pictured was on a ring between two other keys for a long time, and it was probably a very full ring that was too small for the number of keys on it. You don't usually see wear all along the length like that.

Find a good locksmith, and they can usually pull the key code. I think it's on the door locks on Mopars. On GM trash, they use the glove box lock. They can cut a new key from the code and on a low mileage car, it'll probably be fine unless someone was driving a half mile at a time and pulling the key.

You can remove the lock cylinder yourself and pull the pins and replace them, but if you don't match the originals, you end up with different keys from the doors (which some people want). It's not hard to pull the lock cylinder if you have a functional key, but I don't recall the exact process for our cars at the moment. I'd ask my dad but I got disowned a couple years ago.

The hardest part about locksmithing is having the eyesight and being ready to toss the keys on the seat and slam the locked door shut if they try to take off without paying you for unlocking their car.

 

[Dana67Dart]

ignition key to the Dart duplicated

This should have been answered in Post #1 or the title

What car & what year?

 

[Demonx2]

@gunbunny

 

[Brad5301]

This should have been answered in Post #1 or the title

What car & what year?

It is a 73 Dart Sport.

 

[Brad5301]

It is functioning * somewhat . My neighbor is pretty familiar with these type things. We did some filing and polishing. He suspected the wider key was matching up with some grime in the lock, so using some WD-40 Dry, it is working smoother.

I am out of the woods with a key potential hazard. He suggested hitting the lock with lubricant a few more times, as the keyblade has a grease substance on it.

 

[gunbunny]

I'd say your neighbor is on to something.
I'm a big fan of Lock Ease. Spray some into the cylinder, and let it sit.
If I was guessing, you no doubt have some grime or pocket lint in the cylinder. Lock Ease is a 2 part lube. The propellant will help clean the old grime, and the graphite will settle on the pins and springs.
Worse case scenario, send me your key, and I'll cut you a new one. I can chuck the broken key in my cutter so that I can make a new one. I can also cut one with a Curtis Key cutter from a code.

 

[RustyRatRod]

My dad is a locksmith. He probably has 1000 pounds of brass key blanks. He would take a blank, put in the lock, jiggle it around and start filling based on the pin wear. It's called impressioning. He can make a key to most locks in under 5 minutes.

That key pictured was on a ring between two other keys for a long time, and it was probably a very full ring that was too small for the number of keys on it. You don't usually see wear all along the length like that.

Find a good locksmith, and they can usually pull the key code. I think it's on the door locks on Mopars. On GM trash, they use the glove box lock. They can cut a new key from the code and on a low mileage car, it'll probably be fine unless someone was driving a half mile at a time and pulling the key.

You can remove the lock cylinder yourself and pull the pins and replace them, but if you don't match the originals, you end up with different keys from the doors (which some people want). It's not hard to pull the lock cylinder if you have a functional key, but I don't recall the exact process for our cars at the moment. I'd ask my dad but I got disowned a couple years ago.

The hardest part about locksmithing is having the eyesight and being ready to toss the keys on the seat and slam the locked door shut if they try to take off without paying you for unlocking their car.

Now THAT'S a real locksmith right there!

 

[RustyRatRod]

I'd say your neighbor is on to something.
I'm a big fan of Lock Ease. Spray some into the cylinder, and let it sit.
If I was guessing, you no doubt have some grime or pocket lint in the cylinder. Lock Ease is a 2 part lube. The propellant will help clean the old grime, and the graphite will settle on the pins and springs.
Worse case scenario, send me your key, and I'll cut you a new one. I can chuck the broken key in my cutter so that I can make a new one. I can also cut one with a Curtis Key cutter from a code.

Pocket lint. Is that anything like belly button lint?

 

[dadsbee]

WD40 is NOT a lubricant. Go get a can of gun oil spray, give the key a quick spray and a quick spray inside the tumbler.. you'll be amazed.

 

[Dusty2]

My go to has always been graphite for all locks. Works like a charm!

 

[dadsbee]

My go to has always been graphite for all locks. Works like a charm!

Wait until you have to tackle a GMC Trailblazer rear hatch mechanism.. you'll be running for a can of gun oil PDQ !