038 A beginner's guide to key impressioning (1/3)

In this 3 part series, I will be offering a detailed beginner's guide to key impressioning. We'll be looking at the tools you'll need, how to prepare your blank and how to create impressioning marks. From there we will go on to explore filing techniques and some tips and tricks to help you accelerate your skills so that you'll be able to make a working key for an unknown lock without disassembling or picking it ahead of time.

[@BowenKayanoBottorff]

Most informative video ive watched on this. Definitely subscribing!

[@warrenjansen7096]

Great job as usual Fish! I don't think any of us can thank you enough for all the time, effort, and hard work that you put into these videos! I'm happy to see your subscription count rising with each new video. Almost 1,500! Congratulations! I'm sure lots of your viewers are wondering what you will give away when you hit 2,000. I, on the other hand get something every week when you release a new video. That's something that is for more valuable to me than anything that would arrive in the mail. Keep up the good work brother! It is greatly appreciated.🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers Warren - that means a lot - it makes all the effort worth it when I receive comments like this 🙏

[@RubberBanned]

Ah, I've just now gotten round to watching these, your videos are such a pleasant watch, thanks for the kind words on my tool as well!

[@U8uxa8SP]

Thank you Fish. I have been interested in impressioning for a while now. Your video makes it seem both possible and enjoyable. Like your previously watched material your video is outstanding. Thanks again.

[@fishpicks4531]

That’s really kind Barry - it really is my pleasure 🙌

[@cmarano]

Looking forwaed to the next vid in the series. Very thorough and clear as we've come to expect from you.

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks - hope the others resonate as well for you 🙌

[@garyanvil2354]

That's a great tutorial on impressioning I have done my share of locks and always looking for new tips... Thinking of getting an electric scope magnifier next. Using a cutaway lock is a great idea for newbies I wish I thought of that when I started out. Looking forward to more...👍

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Gary - hope you like the other 2 in the series 😉🙌

[@carlseiler6441]

Oh my. Quite a cliffhanger! Thanks for posting. Eager for next episode.

[@fishpicks4531]

Haha - I just didn’t think anyone would want to watch/listen for any longer so breaking it into shorter episodes seemed the kindest thing to do 😂

[@PickSmith122]

Great video Fish! Love the way you’re explaining the how to of this difficult aspect.

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks - really appreciate that. This series feels like something that I really need to bring my A game to if I'm going to do the subject justice. Hope you like the next two as much :)

[@FriedPi-mc5yt]

Another outstanding video Fish! I’m really looking forward to the continuation of this series.

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks mate - I’ve put a lot into this series - the next one in particular took a lot of work so I’m glad you like what you’ve seen so far 😉

[@DoctorHogmaster]

Oh man, I’ve had quite a broken key graveyard from my own attempts at learning impressioning. I’m glad you’ve had better luck on that front! I’m very much looking forward to the next episode, cheers 🍻

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks mate - it’s been a lot of fun putting this series together 🙌

[@1larrydom1]

I continued to be impressed with both the presentation of the information and the incredibly high quality of the production, Fish. You've set a bar that I now compare others with, and a high bar it is. Another terrific beginning to my weekend with your new series, and I can also enjoy the anticipation of further education in the weeks to come!

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks so much Lawrence - I am just holding myself accountable to what I would like to watch and hope that it resonates :)

[@derrickhogue1868]

Cheers Andy. I really like this video series. A concise, useful explanation of key impressioning. Good video. This is a great video for beginners and even a good brush up for the veterans. I have picked up some bad habits on key impressioning and this got me thinking that I will have to use some of these useful tips, tools. Take care.

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers Derrick - I’m editing the third in the series now - hope you like the next two as much 😉

[@chriscapune7873]

Wonderful subject!!! Looking forward to more episodes!! 🐾🐈‍⬛🐈🐾🇬🇧👏👏👏👏👏

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Chris - I’ve definitely had to bring my A game for this series 😉🐟🙌

[@petew9087]

Excellent- this is just the type of content that 'floats my boat'!😁 I shall be starting this soon, myself - so really enjoyed that and found it to be extremely informative. Very much looking forward to the next part- thanks mate.👍😊

[@fishpicks4531]

Absolute pleasure Pete - have a great weekend

[@petew9087]

@@fishpicks4531 - thanks, you too.👍

[@j.gabriel8573]

Great info sir! I thought about the sharpie as mentioned to help see the marks, but i agree with you a good prep kf the blank. I will be getting my go at hand cutting keys here before too much longer. I'll be waiting for the continuation 👍

[@fishpicks4531]

I'm editing the last of the three videos this weekend mate - hope I do the topic justice.

[@j.gabriel8573]

@@fishpicks4531 I have faith in you brother, you got this!. 👍

[@PocketWomen]

A fantastic tutorial mate, thanks for doing this video, cheers

[@blackdotkiller1]

Great video mate waiting for the next one 👍🔑

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers - it’s on its way 🙌

[@gantry289]

Great job, can't wait for part 2 & 3.

[@fishpicks4531]

I’m just finishing up editing number three - I’ll be interested to get your opinion mate 🙌

[@tumblersfalllocksport218]

Fantastic 101 on impresioning! I will be watching the other two next. So far, I think you nailed it! nicely done. FYI... smoking the key is usually reserved for impresioning bit keys or barrel keys for warded lock mechanisms.

[@MichaelDemapan]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Fish. Hope to prevent future hardware store visits from my new locksmithing journey.

[@mikehooper3392]

Another wonderful video I have dabbled in key impression with no success I was knowingly using wrong files you have inspired me to give it another go , so I just ordered a microscope very similar to the one you showed now to source a good file,thanks again

[@fishpicks4531]

Go for it Mike - you’ll crush it I’m sure 😉

[@jeffandthings77]

I must say-progressive pinning for learning impressioning is NOT something I had considered! Clever, as usual! Lots of good ideas there, and I'll be referencing these videos again and again.

[@fishpicks4531]

Glad you found it useful mate 🙌😉

[@martinnewton6891]

Nicely done Andy

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Martin - as you know all too well, it's such a rabbit hole - hope I did it, and you, justice :)

[@SnakePicks]

Fish!! How is your content so consistently good? Keep up the good work!

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks Andrew - appreciate that 😉🙌

[@hatsuyo69]

Never knew LCD microspores were a thing, thanks for sharing your techniques

[@fishpicks4531]

Yep - it's pretty decent value and you'll see the results in the next couple of episodes. The reflections on the shiny surface of the key blade can be problematic, but it is a useful teaching aid.

[@jeffyates2295]

After a few cross strokes on the key rest the file in the same groove and rotate a few times. Helps the pin mark stand out.😎

[@fishpicks4531]

Ooh I’ll try that Jeff -thanks mate 🙌

[@LockpickingDev]

A Fish Picks video on impressioning?! 😍

[@fishpicks4531]

Absolutely - and with 2 more to follow! 😉🙌

[@808Unionist]

This is how outside machinists make a fast impression on keys: You should start with a Pippen file because it will give a better fit to the side angles on your key blanks. Put a coat of Neolube to the top of the deep and space key. Then insert all the D&S keys into the lock a give them a heavy back-and-forth twist. The keys that did not leave a long mark will give you the required cuts. Then cut the new key using the D&S keys with a Lish Usei Hand cutter and a Dial Caliper. Also always check that your Deep & Space Keys are made to the lock's specifications. Neolube is made from Graphite & Alcohol.

[@whatabouttheearth]

8:09 what type of magnifier was that thing? Update: TAG5 Industries LT-GEN5LB Key Impressioning Light Box, apx $480

[@TurkVladimir]

Thanks Great Video

[@rix077]

Also will you start putting links up for the kit that you use in the video?

[@fishpicks4531]

I thought about doing this but more than half my audience is US based so Amazon links etc. would be UK based. I can certainly post the link to Hooligan keys - although a google search will also get you there :)

[@rix077]

I’m interested in giving impressioning a go…. Will wait for something on eBay lol

[@apnovi]

Nice one 👍

[@fishpicks4531]

Much appreciated :)

[@smashsmash5866]

Where can I buy the tool from Rubberband?

[@auzilek3518]

have you find i want it too ?!

[@ceefusjenkins2281]

Do you still have your store up?

[@DavidGutierrez-zi4dy]

thanks.

[@rix077]

Love it:

[@fishpicks4531]

Cheers mate!

[@DigitalArchmage]

just so you know, I assumed I'd find an affiliate link for the Kecheer Microscope ;) (I would have clicked it)

[@louisrouthier9901]

Shout out from LRLOCKS

[@samlott99]

You didn't specify if your file is a #2 or #4 cut. Bosnian Bill recommends a #4.

[@bamboozledsoftware]

Amazing! (Again.) I ha.. b..ff... lll.... just Amazing! LPL, Bill, Noob... (also others) better start preparing to be leap frogged in ratings... XD wow jk. Hey ya never know... I think they are watching you like a contender.

[@fishpicks4531]

Thanks so much Joe - whatever value I am adding to locksport, it is only because I am riding on the shoulders of the giants you mention and others 😉🙌

[@kilometrekm]

Next challenge to Fish Picks: Make a video without using stock images or stock videos.

[@fishpicks4531]

why would I want to do that? I enjoy including stock footage if it serves the mood/tone I am going for. This is a stylistic choice mate - not for everyone I appreciate but I'm not going to please everyone - I can only be true to my interests and style.

[@kilometrekm]

@@fishpicks4531 Sorry if i ever crossed you, sir. As much as the style sometimes seems a little bit inundating, they were all quite acurate and edutaining. I indeed apreciate your work.

[@kilometrekm]

@@fishpicks4531 Also, would there be a detailed explanation about how and why filing off the shoulder of the key blanks improves their rigidity during the torquing?

[@JohnSmith-gs4lw]

@@kilometrekm We used to call them “stress risers” but I guess they’ve changed that to stress concentration now. Any acute angle in a surface focuses stress into the apex of that angle. This can cause crack propagation. So you want to reduce the angle at that point. Curves (or circles) are a great way to open the apex up. Mechanics often call this “stop drilling” because they will go to the end of a crack in fiberglass, plastic, or metal and just run a small drill through at that point. Now there is much more force required for that crack to propagate because the stress riser is spread over the entire, curved surface. Try this the next time your trash bin cracks or the fender on your ATV starts to crack. In the case of a key bow, it’s an open angle (90 degree step) so by using the round file, he’s kind of doing a stop drill but with only a quarter of the circle!

[@kilometrekm]

@@JohnSmith-gs4lw Thanks so much! I'll try this next time I impression.

[@jonbottoms8988]

The only proper file for impressioning is a pippen file. Grobet #4 or #2. I personally prefer a #2. But I am a very seasoned professional. With over 130k keys impressioned in 30 yrs don’t waste your money on a round file. It is both a round and flat file. Trust me I know what I’m talking about.

[@MajorMonroe-o5q]

Get to the point

[@jessedover6175]

LAME.