Electronic Key Impressioner in Development

Created by Steve Randall and Ted Schwarzkopf, this device is designed to scan the inside of a car lock and return the code to the operator of the device. Retrieving the code must be done through an internet connection through the USB port on the Key Impressioner. The device is still in development and said to only work on Ford cars for the time being.

When and if released, the device will be for sale to licensed locksmiths. But this doesn’t mean those shady car thieves won’t get their hands on them as well. The idea for security is that since the devices have to be connected to the internet to receive key cut codes, only properly registered devices will be allowed to function. And unlicensed machines will be remotely shut down. This is all just their brainstorming at the moment, so we shall see when this device reaches the market.

With all of the various secondary security features on cars, having a key always isn’t enough anymore. There is the use of alarms, keypad codes, transponders, and other such devices.

Manual Key Cutting Machines

There are multiple types of key cutting machines in use today. The most common in use are punch machines and semi-automatic key cutting machines. With a punch machine it will either cut by code where you slide the gauge to a desired depth number and punch the cut into the key. The older style would be having the original key and a matching blank. You place them on top of each other and proceed to punch out the excess metal of the blank key. You keep doing this until the blank key matches the original key. This way is not as precise, but is still used. In any case after the keys are cut, you just need to clean off any burrs with a wire brush.

The Semi-Automatic cutting machine also uses a blank key and the original. The original is placed on one side with a guide that will trace the key while the blank is being shaped to that trace. The blank key will be clamped into the side with the cutting wheel and will be cut to the depths of the original key from the path created by the guide on the original key. This machine is not fully automatic because it requires guidance of a technician while it performs the cuts. As with the punch machine, any loose metal or burrs should be clean off with a brush. 

Install a Wall Safe.

I’ve always liked safes, especially when they are hidden. I’ve tried to find some detailed instructions of choosing a wall safe, but nothing really comes up. I did find a couple of pages on installing a wall safe. The outline they give is pretty straightforward, but they ignore how they chose the safe

Basically you just:

1. Choose the safe. If it is going into the wall it can’t be too wide.
2. Locate the studs on the wall you want to put the safe in. You want the safe to fit between two studs, since the safe will be anchored to them.
3. After locating the studs, measure out an opening large enough for the safe. After you’ve drawn out your opening, you can begin to cut it out with a dry wall saw.
4. Watch out for electrical wiring when cutting out the opening. If the wires will be in the way, you must reroute or otherwise move them aside.
5. If your opening leaves a gap from the studs and the drywall, re-enforce it with some extra wood shims. This also depends on how your safe mounts. Your safe may mount with screws from inside the safe or it may have some mounting bolts on the outside.
6. Once your safe is in and secure, you can begin any cosmetic wall repair you need to do.

In the simplest sense you just slide the Slim Jim down your car door between the window and the weather stripping. From there you carefully maneuver the auto lockout tool until you find the lock rod. Once you have caught the lock rod slowly move it until the lock flips itself open.

This is a very dangerous thing to do with the cars of today. There is so much wiring, air bags, and electronics inside the car door that you could damage. And it may not work on all styles of cars.

Here is a nice video demonstrating its use:

As seen in many eighties movies, this video shows a man unlocking a car door with a coat hanger. This was probably a good method on older cars, but very dangerous on new cars. All of those pressurized airbags in the doors could be accidentally triggered by a wrong move.

Auto Jigglers are lock picks designed for car doors. They come in the form of metal cut outs in the shapes of familiar styles of car keys. Ideally you take the jiggler that is the shape of the original car key, insert it into the lock and wiggle it around until you hit the right spot and the door unlocks. When you see videos of this being done, you just think "Why is it that easy?"

Yesterday we looked at the various wedges a locksmith would use to gain entry into your car. Today we will look at the Lasso tool and how it is combined with the Air Wedge tool. The Lasso tool is pretty much self describing. You use it to put a loop around lock lever, then you tighten it and pull it up. This works best on the older style cars with the vertical lock.

Today we will look at various auto wedges a locksmith would use on your car. These wedges give them small gap they can use to insert a tool to unlock your car door.

This is a great little video that will give you an overview of the tools a locksmith would use to open your car door.

This is a general overview of the tools a Locksmith would use to open a lock. I will work on finding more information on each kind of tool.