tips on how to make a key mold
DESCRIPTION
Many people often wonder how a key is duplicated. There are different ways that locksmiths use to duplicate a key. Similarly, making a key mold is also one of the ways you can duplicate a key.TRANSCRIPT
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Tips on How to make a Key Molddvslocksmith.com/2021/08/09/tips-on-how-to-make-a-key-mold
Many people often wonder how a key is duplicated. There are different ways that
locksmiths use to duplicate a key. Similarly, making a key mold is also one of the ways you
can duplicate a key. In this article, Key Duplication in Oak Park, will guide you on
how to make a key mold.
To make a key mold, you need to have the key that you want to duplicate. The key is
dropped into a liquid, or the liquid is poured. The liquid will become hard after some
time. You can use this process to duplicate simple keys without grooves. A simple key with
teeth is ideal for duplicating using this method.
How to make a Key Mold?
Tools Required to Make a Key Mold
Molding Plaster
Grease or Lubricant
Rolling Pin or any other roller
Pour the Molding Plaster
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Gather your tools and set them on a flat surface. Now, pour the molding plaster on the flat
surface. Use the rolling pin to expand the plaster. Make sure the plaster is rolled out to be
more than the length and the width of the key. The plaster should be at least 2 inches
thicker than the key.
Grease the Key
Cover the key with grease or lubricant to remove the key from the plaster and not get
attached to it. Make sure the grease covers the edges and the teeth of the key. To sum up,
this step is crucial because if grease is not used, you will ruin the mold as you will not get
the key out of the plaster.
Push the Key in Plaster
Push down one side of the key into the plaster. The key and the plaster should be perfectly
even. If you push down the key deeper, the mold will become too deep. Likewise, if the key
stays up than the mold, you will not get the perfect imprint of the key.
Remove the Key
After the key has made an imprint on the mold, remove the key from the plaster. Remove
it carefully as it can ruin the imprint the key has made on the plaster.
Wait for the plaster to dry
The last step is to wait until the plaster dries and becomes rigid. You will have a perfect
imprint of the key on the plaster. Repeat this entire process with the other side of the key.
You will have two perfect molds of your key.
How to Cast a Key out of Key Mold?
After getting an imprint of the key on the molds, you must cast the key using molten
metal. This process is more delicate and complicated and needs to be done by someone
with little experience.
Tools Required
Rubber Band or Electrical Tape
Alloy Slug (Silver, Brass, Zinc)
Stove or Torch
Small Knife or Saw
Mini File
Attach the molds
You have to attach the molds with a rubber band or electrical tape. Make sure to attach
them in the right direction of the key.
Cut the top of the mold
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After attaching the mold, you need to cut the top of the mold with a small knife or a small
saw to make way for molten metal. The hole should be shallow as it only needs molten
metal to pass through it.
Molten Metal
You can use alloy slugs for molten metal. Put the alloy slugs in a small enclosed vessel.
Heat the vessel from below using a stove or a torch. Heat the vessel until you get the metal
in the form of liquid.
Put the molten metal in the mold
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Pour the molten metal into the mold carefully. Most importantly, use safety gloves to
protect yourself during this step. The metal should not overflow into the seams. Tap the
mold very lightly on a flat surface so that the molten metal covers all the teeth. Let it rest
for 30 to 40 minutes until it becomes hard.
Separate the Mold
Separate the mold very slowly and lay the molds on a flat surface with the key imprint on
the top. Take the key out of the mold. You can pry it loose with a credit card.
Remove excess bits
After separating it from the mold, the key will still be in a rough shape. Use a mini file to
remove the excess bits.
Final Touches
Take the original key and compare both of them. It will help you remove the excess metal
easily. You can also drill a keychain hole in it. Try it out on the lock. Hopefully, it will
work.
Conclusion
Please do not attempt to do this if you don’t have the proper tools and safety equipment.
This process can take a lot of time. You might not get the desired results the first time. Try
to find out what you are doing wrong as it is a complicated process. You can always
contact Lockout Service in Oak Park if you can’t do it yourself.