Have You Ever Thought About How to Duplicate Keys by Hand?
If you’ve been wondering how to duplicate keys but didn’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place!
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Tips and Tricks to Easily Duplicate Keys by Hand
Make Your Own Keys
Having to take your keys to a locksmith can be a hassle and might put a dent in your wallet. If you're looking to save some cash and tap into a new hobby, crafting your own keys could be the perfect solution! Remember to keep your keys organized to minimize the chances of losing them.
With the right tools and a bit of patience, you can follow these steps to create duplicates without needing a professional key duplicating machine. After all, you could hardly tell your handcrafted duplicate from a locksmith’s work!
The Longer & Traditional Method
For this method, you’ll need: blank keys, a hand file, a vice, and the original key you want to duplicate.
Step 1: Clamp and Align
Clamp your original key and the blank key side by side using the vice. Ensure they are aligned correctly before tightening the vice.
Step 2: Start Filing
Begin filing down the blank key, starting from the highest point of your original key and moving down to the valleys. Patience is key here—don’t rush, as you could damage the original. A smaller hand file can help navigate the valleys.
Step 3: Test It
Once you’ve filed the blank key, test it out. If it doesn’t work smoothly, you may need to make a few adjustments. Compare your copy with the original key and file any flaws as needed.
The Quick Hack Methods
Hack #1: Heat It Up or Pen It Out
Tools Needed Are:
- Clear tape
- Lighter
- Tin can lid/piece of plastic bottle or plastic card
- Sharp scissors or X-acto knife
- Flathead screwdriver
Step 1: Place the Original Key Over a Flame
Hold the original key over a flame until a black coating forms on its surface. Allow it to cool, keeping the black side facing up.
Step 2: Use Clear Tape
Once the key has cooled, place clear tape (sticky side down) on the black coating. Remove the tape carefully—you’ll have an exact impression of the key!
Step 3: Stick It
Select a can lid, plastic bottle cap, or card and press the tape onto it to transfer the key outline.
Step 4: Cut It Out
Using the tape with the soot-marked outline, carefully cut out the shape with sharp scissors or an X-acto knife, ensuring precision for it to work smoothly.
Step 5: Test and Support
When testing the duplicate, support it with a flat screwdriver to prevent it from breaking. If cut correctly, it should work flawlessly.
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Hack #2: Take a Picture of the Key
Materials Needed to Duplicate Keys Are:
- Camera or cellphone camera
- Computer
- Printer
- Piece of paper
- Coin (optional)
- Sharp scissors
- Lid of a food can, piece of a plastic bottle, ruler, or plastic cards
Step 1: Take a Photo of the Key
Snap a photo of the key. If you can't bring the key home, placing a coin beside it can help with size reference later.
Step 2: Upload and Print
Upload the image to your computer, resize it according to the actual key or coin for accuracy, then print it out.
Step 3: Cut and Stick
Cut the printed image out and use clear tape to stick it onto the metal can lid, piece of a plastic bottle, or a card. Follow steps 4 to 6 from Hack #1 to complete the process.
Hack #3: Mold It
Materials Needed Are:
- Part 1 & 2 mold solution
- Part 3 (hardener) mold solution
- Low melting point metal ingots
- Casting ladle
- Butane gas torch
- Tubular plastic container
- Key to be duplicated
Step 1: Mix Molding Solution
Begin by mixing the mold solutions in a tubular plastic container and then mix in the hardener quickly. You’ll need to work fast after mixing!
Step 2: Insert the Key and Let It Dry
Carefully align the original key straight in the mixture and hold it to avoid air bubbles. Let the mold dry for about 5 – 10 minutes and then push it out from the bottom.
Step 3: Cut the Mold Open
Using a X-acto knife, gently cut the mold open on one side. Remove the original key and ensure the hollow top portion is funnel-like.
Step 4: Heat Metal Ingot and Pour in Casting Mold
Place the metal ingot in the casting ladle and heat it with a butane torch until it melts. Then, pour the molten metal into the mold, tapping it to prevent air bubbles.
Step 5: Remove and Test
Let it cool, then remove the mold and test the key. If done correctly, you’ll have a perfect duplicate—whether it’s for your car, house, or a restricted key!
Here is a video posted by Jake’s Workshop on how to make a 3D printed key using a 3D printer:
Remember, only duplicate the keys you own or have permission to duplicate. This process can turn into a productive hobby while saving some money in the process!
Was this article helpful in your desire to duplicate keys? Please let us know in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on February 22, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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No 5…
Step 1 Get in car
Step 2 Go to Lowe’s or Home Depot
Step 3 Find hardware department
Step 4 Find correct keyblank
Step5 Let an associate cut key on proper machine
Step 6 Go eat lunch and enjoy all the time saved by not trying the other hacks.
If shit hits the fan there’s not going to be any going to Lowe’s or Home Depot. Thats why its important or at the very least very helpful to know and practice these hacks. Just
Saying.
Step 7 Take 2 of the four keys back because the minimum wage employee that does not know how to calibrate the machine anyway also put one of the keys in too deep and all of your cuts are half a pin off and the keys don’t work.
It’s always necessary to have the proper key blank for your particular style key. The wrong blank will not fit your lock’s cylinder. There are a large number of different key blanks depending on your key type. Where to get the right key blanks is not covered in this article. Key blanks are not generally available except to key making services but are available online.
Even Wal-Mart has key making machines that are cheap and quick to make whatever keys you may need an it will work most of the time much better than you trying one of those home made methods but if you have no choice those ways may work after many hours of work an detailing with files good luck
You all just keep trying these hacks,because when you break the plastic key or molded key or whatever else you are using,I as a locksmith love it because then I get more of your money to try and get broken piece out and repair the lock.As for walmart or lowes why spend your money at one of the big box chainstores and have to go back 2 or 3 times before you get one that works.Support your local locksmith usually not much more expensive,but 9 times out of 10 a one time trip.
Can you being a locksmith make a copy of my Fiat key that will cost me about $350 at the dealership?
The wireless keys can only be partially duplicated. The physical part is relatively easy. If your vehicle has a lock the key will fit into, the duplicate will get you into the car. The wireless part is not feasibly duplicated without advanced hacking skills and equipment, so no. It won’t start your car. If you don’t have a lock on the door that the key fits into, the duplicate won’t even do that.
It was helpful to read that having keys for your own property is advised. This is a great way to respect other people’s security and privacy. As I look into getting a key cutting service, I will be sure that no one else gets my new keys.
It is a good and informative blog. Thanks for sharing.
I agree with you.
Yes….Doing this stuff is a very practical use of your time….
Slightly better than watching Gilligan’s lsland reruns..
I had a key made on those vending machines. It didn’t turn in the lock, but maybe i can try to file it down to work. Next problem, remembering where i put a nonworking key!
I like how you suggested using a plastic card to duplicate a key. I am looking into going to see a locksmith to make keys. Thank you for the tips on duplicating keys by hand.
As I read this article all I could keep thinking is telling people how to make keys so they can break into someone’s house or building.
This was a very good article !
I can see where you are going here when it comes to trying to make your own key. This is for survival purposes.
Nice blog ! Thank you for provide such a nice information
I got it, it worked! Thanks for sharing the key copying process.
Oh, really it worked perfectly. Thank you!
Some locksmiths will charge on a task basis. This means each service you have the locksmith perform will be a one-time charge. Other locksmiths will charge hourly. They will have a standard minimum, usually an hour. So if your service only takes 30 minutes, you still pay for the hour.