Making a Kwikset Key Checker Thinger

[@mikefinley190]

I had forgotten about this checker. One of the old locksmiths I worked for about 30 years ago showed me one, I made one for myself then. I lost it years ago and had forgotten about. I made me a new one now. thanks for the reminder of something forgot but useful.

[@WiliamBennettwildarbennett]

The more I learn about this interesting craft of locks I am so intrigued at the idiosyncrasies of different types of pins and locks. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@Biokemist-o3k]

Awesome video. Thanks! just starting out your videos are much appreciated.

[@shieldcracker]

I have never thought of this! Have you tried building a checker for multi step progression systems say like schlage?

[@selock]

Several of our subs have attempted it, one sent me his version that was made with two cylinders. They work about 90% ish. :)

[@pmlarocque]

I saw the original video a few months back and put a key checker together for use in the shop. I must have tried nearly 100 original kwikset keys with maybe 1 having a bit of resistance turning. Also, thanks Jason for discussing the possible issues with checked keys. I’ve seen more than my fair share of filed-down pins that proves your point!

[@gkeyman565]

Made one back when I first saw you use it, but used red electrical tape to wrap cylinder, works great, thanks!

[@mattB-uy9bf]

Thank you for letting us know about not mixing kwikset and lab. I did that with a lock and it was driving me nuts trying to figure out what was wrong.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Nice tutorial Jason and the key checker is a good tool by the look of it.

[@thelockpickinglebowski633]

I have a Master Lock rekeyable padlock with a 6-pin Kwikset keyway that I'd like to make into a key checker thinger. This way I can have a nice portable version.

[@Mur-lock68]

Interesting Video Jason Thanks Stay well!

[@MrRShoaf]

The factory increment is .023 inches. When you you use a .003 kit this places the pin with in .002 of the desired length. But when you stack 5 pins that are .001 too long you induce an accumulated error of .005 when testing a no.6 depth. Better to use calipers or a micrometer to check your depths.

[@selock]

nice “facts” yet it still works perfectly fine for a quick check of keys that look suspect and has for over three years now (really more, because we had been using it for a while prior) even with your “accumulated error” it’s a practical tool in ADDITION to a micrometer 😂

[@MrRShoaf]

@@selock Not sure why you chose quotes, but I assume it is something in the nature of your opinion that the point i made was irrelevant and down right picky. I agree. But as a locksmith since the Carter administration, I have spent many an hour dwelling on the minutiae. Most of these musings are in and of themselves of no practical value. Yet they lay the foundation for other questions later. Of alll of these sniggling questions I seek to resolve a good percentage of these seem to come back to the front of my mind attached a later date. Let's consider adjustment of a key machine. What is the best method of measuring spacing. How many generations can you get on a fussy key like American padlock?

[@BreakinUpBuds]

Question can you do this with other brands of locks?

[@selock]

Not really. Kwikset is the only one with one step progression. A few of our subscribers have made a two cylinder set with Schlage that works for most locks and one even sent me their version. They definitely don't work as well as the KW, very catchy

[@BreakinUpBuds]

@@selock thanks for the information and the quick reply. I'm making a change from the HVAC industry to a locksmith because I'm tired of having to crawl under houses or go in an attic when is 140° to make a repair. On top of that the state and federal regulations and license requirements for HVAC is to much. I'm slowly gaining the tools and knowledge necessary to switch my business from HVAC to locksmith I work for myself and in my state (Georgia) there's no license requirements to be a locksmith. There's new state and federal regulations coming out governing the HVAC industry that's going to make everything extremely hard for small HVAC businesses so it's truly not worth sticking with this industry. Your videos and information you provide have been a massive assistance hey my journey to switch career paths. Thanks for all the effort.

[@petewoodfine2100]

Hi Jason. That's a good idea with the keychecker thinger. Do you do one for other makes of key as well ? So you have one for each make you cut ? Great way to show the client that their key is no good and they might be better to have the lock cylinder replaced. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.

[@selock]

Pete Woodfine no just Kwikset, because of the single step progression none of the others lend themselves to be able to do it. I’ve thought about doing two different ones for Schlage but (without some awesome math) it may or may not work for all cuts. Probably can hit about 92% of them with two cylinders, one starting with 0 and another starting at 1 but I dunno 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@violentrobot]

SE Lock and Key yeah i agree with that. but i don't think you could, even with the math. any key that has an odd and even number wouldn't work.

[@LynxSnowCat]

I just Googled the datasheet for Schlage key bitting specification (Classic, Primus). I assume that Schlage doesn't "allow" single step progression to avoid having the pin wear and get stuck in the shear line, -- But assuming the **stacking error** of the collected master pins does not exceed the tolerance, and the spring is hard enough, is there a mechanical reason why a Schlage Key Checker Thinger would *need* to obey the pinning rules/standard for a lock? ( numbers below from lsamichigan.org ) Schlage Increment: 0.15" Depth Tolerance: + .002" - 0 Spacing Tolerance: ± .001" Kwikset Increment: 0.23" Depth Tolerance: ± .003" Spacing Tolerance: ± .004"

[@glnooner]

Is a Schlage a single step progression to be able to do this with a Schlage?

[@selock]

No but several have done a 2 cylinder setup that covers like 98% or something. I’m not sure what variety of wafers they are using though

[@glnooner]

@@selock thank you

[@Hslk-Locksmith]

Great idea! I would use a GMS cylinder though, as they are usually a bit tighter.

[@geoffhoweth]

Awesome video man I will be going and making one right now👍👍

[@pjdambra]

I always use the Qwickset original pins. I do mostly master pinning for rental properties and use mostly KW1 brands of locks. I like the barrel,shaped pins over the conical pins because they tend to not wear down as quickly. I also like the Qwickset style of key bitting with the wide landing instead of the V Cut. The problem I have with your checker is the .024 differential. The Qwickset standard is .023... 1, 2 or even 3 Thousandths isn’t a problem however when you check the 5’s and 6’s the stack is 4 or 5 thousands too long.. While I don’t like the original #1 master pin because they are beveled too much and occasionally get wedged in the plug and core. I’m going to build one of your Checkers but I’m going to sand down the .024 to .023 on a wet Emory board. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue, maybe a minute on each wafer..

[@DonzLockz]

Thats a great idea, I never would have thought of doing that.👍🏽 Maybe I should make a lock like that for my front door.🤔 hahaha. 😅🍺😎

[@selock]

Don'z Lockz your key works! and your key works! It’s like the Oprah of lock cylinders damn I could have used that in this video

[@DonzLockz]

@@selock haha, yeah. Just find any key with the same keyway and you're in. Maybe you can mention that great master keying system in another video. 😁✌

[@loz11968]

Good video. I always describe it as like photocopying a photocopy, eventually you end up with nothing like the original.

[@Leonslockpad]

Very cool Jason my friend is very interesting to watch👍😊👍😊😎✌✌

[@jeepstermario9912]

The other day realized how much I use my dremel and how crucial it is to the trade would you be interested in doing a video on all the ways a dremel can be used in Locksmithing. I don't know if you have done it already but maybe a video on what should an apprentice should have in his tool bag.

[@selock]

Jeepster mario oh the “danger toy” ? Yeah...I’d have to get mentally prepared for that one ;) I try to avoid it as much as possible

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Lots of Plasters by the sound of it :D

[@jeepstermario9912]

plasters?

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

Band aids for cut fingers

[@jeepstermario9912]

sorry I am an uncultured heathen from america

[@carllewis2207]

Great idea! I’ll make one today. Thanks Jason! UPDATE, not working very well for me, using a new Kwikset deadbolt with new Lab pins & wafers the size and quantity you specified, tried with many new factory Kwikset keys works about 40% of the time. So I dumped everything and started over with same results. What am I doing wrong?? Thanks

[@selock]

Carl Lewis I just saw you had updated this, not sure what’s going on with it. Did you ever successfully get one made?

[@Mr1nferno]

Your work station is clean compared to mine.

[@tobeymcmullen]

Heck I would love to have a few jammed or ugly ones. Just starting the sport.

[@timbutler5690]

Also can you do that for other brands keys and locks?

[@selock]

Kwikset is one of the few locks that is single step mastered and therefore you can get away with this. Almost all others that you would run across are just not conducive to doing this

[@Steel-Pinnings]

Nice tip!!! Ima gunna make me a checker too... I suspect I make one for Schlage same way?

[@selock]

Steel Pinnings single step progression kills the idea :( you might can do it with two cylinders one starting 0 and another starting 1 but it will still miss some cuts I think

[@Steel-Pinnings]

@@selock Thanks again for the info, That's what I was thinking of with other brands. Stick with what works. Lol

[@lmars5933]

Great video Jason thank you .😎

[@jeffreywarthan2381]

Good Video Jason as always !, Jeff Warthan Locksmith LLC

[@KingStreetRob]

Good tip. Thanks Jason.

[@UNcommonSenseAUS]

So this jig is just to determiner if the customers old ass worn out key is going to work before you spend any time duplicating it ?

[@selock]

UN-common Sense AUS yep!

[@UNcommonSenseAUS]

@@selock shweit mate..

[@tennesseelockpicking8803]

Nice key checker thing a jig.👍

[@timbutler5690]

Great video could you give a detailed chart please. Thank you

[@selock]

1, 1, 1, 1, 1 and then stick 5 number 1 master wafers in each chamber :)

[@lostandfound1004]

Curious, how many times you use that in a month. Sounds like something I gotta make for the shop. Dude, save a finger, lol, wire wheel. Thanks for sharing!

[@selock]

LOST & FOUND pretty much daily!

[@rans471]

Good idea, I will make one.

[@paulchaulk5305]

this is an awesome tip thanks for sharing

[@yrtuag]

Thanks for sharing this info 😎👍🤠

[@fastcharlie4054]

Right on about not using kwikset original pins with wafers. I too hate it when a Sharpie sucks.

[@dreadrain2401]

Thanks for the help.

[@julianshaw1775]

excellent, you should use nail polish on your checker locks

[@selock]

My hands are red today, you are right! ;)

[@cavemansparkey4949]

good vid what about a SC 1 key checker

[@selock]

caveman Sparks single step progression :( it might work with two cylinders, one starting 0 and another starting 1 but still probably would miss some

[@wattvoltamp]

I made a kwikset kw1 key checker like shown and a Schlage sc1 checker. Both work on a variety of keys

[@kenchilton]

I made one using 0.015” master wafers in a new cylinder. It works well, but I do not expect it to last long before a little wear will jamb it. The problem is that you cannot predict which chambers are even and which will be odd to use 030 master pins. Schlage factory keys are all over the map, as well as the Arrow SC1 ones that are popular around here. So, without using the 015 pins, it won’t be universal and 015 pins jamb easily. More interesting is to make one using KW pin stacks on the SC1 keyway - because I have seen that in the wild and this one would be a “detector” for such abominations. I have seen other cross system abominations happen for Sargent and Corbin, where some yahoo apparently did not have the right kit when he rekeyed them.

[@goandy89]

Awesome video, except it kills me every time I see someone running the carriage back and forth rapidly on a duplicator.

[@selock]

That machine is made for that, we cut between 75-200 keys a day in it and have for 30+ years. It will be ok

[@bensandham8842]

I,m gonna have to watch this again cos I don’t have a bloody clue what was going on.

[@selock]

Ben Sandham us either 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@timbutler5690]

Ok 171 B, mast 5 024 for each chamber.

[@mikearmbruster2171]

There's always when df does a rekey and uses a wrong pin

[@bird718]

interesting thinger...

[@kenhoggard7044]

OCD 😅 me too I know what you mean