How Do Locksmiths Make Keys Without an Original Key - How to Impression a Key

Locksmith files on Amazon:

You have a lock, but you have no key. How do you make a key for a lock without the original key?

Locksmiths have many ways to make keys when no current key is available. In this video, we are going to talk about how to impression a key.

Key impressioning will work for just about any standard key. It just takes time and practice to learn the technique. The most difficult part for an amature trying to impression a key will be to determine the key blank needed for the lock. Take the lock to a locksmith shop and they'll help you get the right blank.

Don't want to make the key yourself? The current national average pricing to impression or make a key when no working key is available is $30-$40 plus key blanks.

Impressioning will allow you and/or a locksmith to make a tool box key, make a utility box key, make a car rack key, make a padlock key, and so much more....

00:00 How Locksmiths Make Keys
00:37 What is Key Impressioning
01:00 How to Get the Right Key Blank
01:52 Filing the Key
02:20 Make the Impression by Twisting
02:56 Identifying impression Marks
03:11 Tip on Making Marks Easier to See
03:34 Filing and Progressing Impression Marks
04:33 Success!
04:48 Refining the Key
05:00 Transferring the Cuts to a Fresh Key Blank

[ucanfixit]

I did what you said, and now have a key that turns the lock in my 29 Ford Pickup. Not quite sure I want to take this back to the shop that said they could not do it. I do not think they wanted to spend the time! Anyway, thank you, it worked. I am a retired electrician and mechanic, and followed your instructions. First key worked! Doug, Oak Harbor Wa.

[aljedo]

thanks for video. my local locksmith did this type of key making twice for me. they did it while I waited and it took less than ten minutes both times. both times it was ten bucks including the key. couple months ago I needed this service again but price has jumped to 30 now. the trick from the past that I saw was they used aluminum key blank which impressioned much easier.

[ATy]

This vid wasn't what I was looking for but you seem like a really nice guy and very enthusiastic about this so i'll like it anyways.

[MrMightyytau]

I just tried to get a local locksmith to make a key, I knew the profile and I recon they need to see this video as they couldn’t or wouldn’t make a key for the two barrels, I am definitely going to have a go with this technique. two days latter using this technique... I worked, I knew the blank profile, i filed it down but buffed it to a high shine and this helped identify the marks.
I am looking forward to the look on the lock smiths face when I take the key to get others made.. as I mentioned the technique and he just smiled Follow up the Lock Smith was impressed "well done"

[ivanpedrorodriguespaescost]

I'm a Locksmith (beginner) in Brazil and I really liked this video. Tks.

[sandrakeller]

I am a lock and key person at a school. I learned a lot about our regular locks but small locks with no key are a big problem for me. I will try this. Thank you

[GalokVonGreshnak]

Thank you; it's always interesting seeing different approaches to impressioning. One I like to do is give the top of the key a light sandingto get rid of any coating, and then color over with a sharpie and file accordingly.

[alwolschleger]

Good video. Those wafer locks are definitely good to learn with. I like to, once I get my first set of marks, take a thin Sharpie and mark on the side of the blank where those marks were so if I see other marks I'm not following a wild goose.

The other thing I did was picked up a cheap set of jewelers' loupes. Makes seeing what's on the blank way easier.

[itrstt]

THIS IS JUST THE RIGHT PIECE OF INFORMATION I WAS LOOKING FOR YEARS!!!

[williamherrick]

I use a black sharpie on the knife edge to aid detecting the impression marks. wash rinde repeat

[chiefordnance]

16 key 🔑 blanks later and I'm 👍good to go.

[scottzimmerman]

The nice thing about this approach is that you don't need solder or lead to make the impression!

[Shadobannedlife]

Right to the point, and easy to follow. Awesome vid, thanks for sharing this valuable information !🌞

[paulromsky]

Great video! I guess you should mention not to put too much force on the key when impressioning, you don't want to break the key off in the lock. How do you know how far to file down each spot after each impression round? A lite mark gets a tiny bit of filing down and a heavy mark gets a bit more of filing down? How do you know when to stop filing down in one spot... no mark at all?

[rexlaine]

I just cut 2 for an 84 Alfa Romeo spider, success!

[pavelgrace]

This is beautiful how amazing thank you

[haroldhprittjr]

Yeah I did this on some old locks I didn’t have a key for the first one three times nothing its a old big no5 master lock . Second one newer type with the blue band at the bottom no3 first key filed kept at it just working the hell outta it and bam it turned made two new keys to fit it off a bunch of used keys . I’m on number 5 now with the old no5 it looks like it says in black ink A631 or A531 it’s faded badly . I’ve broken a couple keys pulled them out before they were in two . I found keeping the points down between the notches helps I’d could see we’re the tumblers we’re hitting the ramps up and down . It’s a job that requires patience and skill with the ability to keep trying till you succeed. If you get aggregated to lay it down and mess with something different for a while then come back to it . It’s definitely a learning curve! Thanks for the video it’s been helpful !

[mistywilson]

Informative and helpful, the closeups are very useful.

[Gumarko]

Excellent video. Very informative and easy to follow. Thank you!

[mohammed]

Hey Roberts 👋
Thanks for this information. Very interesting and useful information. I'm a law-abiding citizen, so don't worry lol
Have lots of hobbies, just collected for a closed own factory lost of keys hoping to find the relevant locks