How to Forge a Key In Easy Steps

Why do you have to pick lock when you can do something better? Waste no time on lock picking as you can forge the key to a lock.

Keys are prevalent as most locks require them. Keys are useful in opening doors, padlocks, cases, etc. The more the use of keys in our day to day activities, the more need for forging more keys.

Forging of keys can be a very lucrative business that you wouldn’t want to miss. Aside from the profit made from this act, you also have a chance to exhibit creativity which most people are hoping to have that chance.

As a smith, it would be best if you knew how to forge keys. Below are some steps that can guide you on how to form your key.

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Essentials

There are tools used in different craftsmanship. When forming a key, there are specific tools that you should use. These tools make it easy and fast. These tools include;

Tape

Markers

File

Pliers

Propane torch

Instructions on How to Forge a Key

Step 1: Get The Material for Your Key

The first step is getting the material you want to use in forging your key. You can make use of plastics. You can also make use of steel and aluminum, depending on how durable you want your key to be.

Step 2: Charming

Charring is the first step in forming a key. You should proceed by heating the key you intend to form.

Quick Steps

Heat the key evenly with the use of a propane torch or other light heat source.
This action will take about 1 to 2 minutes.
It would be best if you held the key with a crucible or plier to prevent your hand from burning.

You should continue this process until a side of the key is blackened or charred.

Step 3: Transferring Char to Form Key Outline

Since you are creating a replica, it is important to form the exact outline.

Quick Steps

Get a clear transparent tape for this process. The tape should be a little bit larger in its width than that of the key.
Cut the tape to a size that would fit the key.
Carefully place the tape on the blackened side of the key.
Place the tape on the key for about 10 seconds
Remove the tape in due time. By now, the char would be on the tape.
Remove residual char from the key by rubbing and cleaning with alcohol. However, you have to be careful with this process.

The purpose of this is to transfer the char to the tape to ensure a perfect outline. Therefore, you should ensure that there isn’t any crest when laying the tape.

Other Steps

Place the tape on the material to get the critical prints of the key outline. Light material is preferred to give a clear imprint. You can also make use of thick material, but it shouldn’t be very thick as it might not fit into the lock.
Make sure you place the tape very well so as not to distort the shape and teeth of the key.
Remove the tape after the paint is transferred to the material.

Step 4: Cut Out Your Key

After removing the tape from the material, you can then gently and accurately cut out the shape. This step should be one carefully and correctly as all your efforts depend on it.

The success of your creativity relies on this step. Wrongly cutting the key means starting over again and you wouldn’t want that, I guess.

After cutting the key, you can then insert the key into the lock gently and be surprised at how your lock unlocks. Please do not force the key as it is prone to bending especially when fragile material is useful.

FAQs About How to Forge a Key

Question

Is forging a key an illegal act?

Forging can be illegal and legal. But this depends on the motive of the act. If you are forging a key to gain access to what does not belong to you or what belongs to somebody else without their permission, then forging the key can be considered illegal.

If you are forging a key to gain access to what belongs to you or to what belongs to someone else with the person’s permission, then it is legal. The forging isn’t what makes it legal or illegal. What makes it legal or illegal is the motive behind the act.

Question

How long can it take a locksmith to forge a key?

The amount of time a locksmith takes to forge a key depends on the professionalism of the locksmith and also, how complicated the key is. For a professional locksmith, it takes only a few minutes to forge a regular key but will take about twenty minutes to forge a complicated key.

Question

Is it possible to forge a key without its original?

It is difficult and stressful to forge a key without its original but very possible.

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Warnings

When forging a key, there are specific safety rules you have to follow. Here are some safety rules that you should have in mind when forming a key to avoid sustaining injuries when you are at work.

You should be careful when making use of the scissors so you will not cut yourself.
You should make use of pliers to hold the key during charring so as not to burn yourself.
Ensure that you have your tools intact and well-arranged to make your work easier and faster.
You should always wear the appropriate clothing and also follow steps and instructions accordingly.