Cylinder re-pinning: Part 3

So you need to make a key to this cylinder?

Or

Maybe you need to change the pin sequence and make a new key.

Simples!

Picture 1 – first make yourself a pin block styrene is good push them in and number (too late to drop and get them wrong)

 

Picture 2 – you need a clean new blank and best to draw file the edge, that is to hold a file flat to the surface and pull back and forth to get rid of the stamp marks

 

Picture 3 – Like this, on the left draw filed on the right a standard keyblank

 

Picture 4 – next mark the blank where each pin will be. You can use AN OLD pin and tap with a hammer

Or

Picture 5 – a sharp pop rivet shank was my favourite

 

Picture 6 – Spacing clearly marked

 

Picture 7 – The file of choice a ‘pippin’ file

 

Picture 8 – cut each space a little

 

Picture 9 – pop the key in the plug at this point

 

Picture 10 – then check each pin is seated in the small groove cut – adjust NOW

 

Picture 11 – else this can happen

 

Picture 12 – this is how the pins WILL sit and you can see the shearline

 

Picture 13 – file a little, test a little, file a little test

 

Picture 14 – top tip with all the pins in place rest your finger on top to stop them projecting across the room, Ask me how I know sometime.

 

Picture 15 – getting close

 

Picture 16 – the key is even, spaced correctly and looks neat

 

Picture 17 – fools gold – this will never work well, don’t do it looks great but a disaster waiting to jam on you.

 

Picture 18 – the perfect hand made key. – Pay the man.

Finally, reassemble and crimp the clip back in place. Test, lubricate & cut another key by machine to prove it works.

 

Back to Part 1: How to strip a Nightlatch cylinder when you have a key

Back to Part 2: How to strip a Nightlatch cylinder when you DONT have a key