034 How to make a new key using a Lishi decoder and cutting tool

If you've wondered how to make a new key using a Lishi Decoder and cutting tool, then this is the episode for you!

Having misplaced the key to my Sparrows Cutaway lock, I decided to try and produce a working key without gutting the lock, simulating the conditions I might face out in the field.

While impressioning would be the best approach I think, I am only just starting to learn that nuanced skill set and I wanted to see if I could use two of the Lishi products I own to achieve the same outcome instead.

I had to do a little problem solving to arrive at a working key but I got there in the end. Here's how I did it...

[greatestunknown]

Great video. I got my Lishi key cutter today and first thing I noticed- - No Instructions, no nothing. This was really helpful. Also love the Schlage depth chart. Another thumbs up. Thanks!

[PickSmith]

It is fun to see what you come up with every week. I wondered what those Lishi cutters were like. Very cool to see in action.
Impressioning is a whole skill set on its own. Learning and watching an expert at that skill, quickly helps you understand how to do it and make it work. I was taught by a boss who didn’t explain it very well and it was hard to do. I later met someone who excelled at it and my ability jumped remarkably. Good luck Fish! ✌🏻👏🏻

[cmarano]

Well presented and timely. I notice more pickers are experimenting with the Lishi decoders lately so this should draw a lot of interest.

[jamkpa]

You my friend are an upcoming rock star in the world of lock picking! Always interesting videos with a nice twist to its content.

[chriscapune]

Great
Fun to end up with a working
Stay safe my friend
🐾🐈🐈‍⬛🐾😷🍻👏👏👏👏👏

[Dmaclocksport]

I've always wondered how those hand cutters work! Nicely done sir 👌🏼

[Cristoforo]

Good, clear descriptions and well explained, easy to follow, well-paced presentation.

[gantry]

Another great video Fish. It's amazing what you can do with the RIGHT tools. Thanks for showing this.

[FriedPi-mcyt]

Very good video Fish! I’ve cut a key by hand with just a couple of files. It amazed me how much of a difference a couple strokes of a file can make. I was keying up an Abus lock I had bought to practice on. I used some pins I got from the locksmith I purchased the lock from as well as few blank keys. It was a fun project. But i did discover after a couple excessive key cuts that it’s best to go slow and check often.

[auroraringz]

Great video. Just got the lishi clipper myself. Duplicated a 6pin schlage with the clamping method first try. Nice piece of kit. Now I just need some of those space/depth keys.

[larrydom]

Another wonderful Friday episode, Fish. Interesting to see the process played out and hear your thoughts behind each step. It's fun watching you gather and put to use the information you're learning.

[petew]

Great stuff- a subject I'm very interested in!
Being only several months into the hobby- I've done the typical newbie thing of grabbing any locks I could with or without keys.
I don't have any Lishi picks, but have everything else including hundreds of key blanks and can't wait to have a go- once work allows.
Yes, I was again watching this whilst balancing on a ladder, painting a room!😁
Great video, thanks again- take care mate.👍

[DoctorHogmaster]

It’s funny, I JUST ordered one of these clippers a few days ago. Although I have a key cutting machine, it’s an automated motion copying machine, and using depth and space keys on it can be a challenge.

I think you sorted out that disassembling the lock can make key making/finishing very easy, if that’s the only goal and you don’t have some of the extra information or tools handy. I’ve done that for a few locks, for which I never had the key in the first place and with uncommon enough blanks that depth and space keys would not be worth buying.

I look forward to seeing how you like impressioning. I’ve enjoyed it, but it takes me more like 20-45 minutes (I’m slow at it). And that’s when I don’t break a key or go too deep on a cut and have to start over. A lesson I learned the hard way, is that some cheap locks will jam up when you try to impression them. I had that experience with several “GMS” cylinders, and they jammed hard enough that the original key would no longer work. I’ve had other cheap cylinders (Kenaurd, for example) that worked fine, though. Just keep that in mind, to avoid some potential frustration!

Keep up the great work, and thanks for another fun video!

[richardhaen]

Very good video, U amazed with what u did put metric and US measurements, so many just
Say r show metric not all of us r metric people, me I don’t care for metric measurements.
Thanks

[stephenstone]

Another great video very good job on the key decoding lots to learn thanks

[picksandpistonslockpicking]

Great video, thanks! I used this key cutter for a challenge lock I've just completed, I could have used this video as I had to do a lot of corrective filing due to inaccurate cutting with the tool! I've a second challenge lock started, I'll use this method when constructing the key! 👍

[kilometrekm]

Judging from the color of the handle's coating I'm guessing it's a pair of GENUINE lishi clipper rather than the ORIGINAL, which somehow works slightly offset than it's supposed to do. From my (limitted) experience, Lishi clippers work better on "smaller" keys such as cam locks, and for normal residential locks, a more precise key machine, be it a hand-held model (pak-a-punch style) or a power-driven one, is always preferred. That said, this is real quality content as always. Thanks for the vid.

[Unionist]

You don't need the Lishi Decoder to do this job. By using a black marker you should be able to use the depth & space keys to impression the lock. Then use keys and the dial caliper to fit the key.

[cadenpolen]

I'm wondering what the approximate overall cost of re-creating a key would be..? (Including the lishi lockpick tool)

[freesolo]

Great video, thanks a lot!

Is the Lishi Decoder also available for European cylinders like Abus etc.?