Actually I only meant the head, not the whole key, but you've covered that.
Glad to hear we found a key that can be sanded though, great work Straker. looking forward to getting a few myself. Perhaps these will need to be be sanded and buffed to help remove those marks.
Really? Huh, that's interesting. Have you thought about contacting a lock smith instead to get them cut? I think when I get a few I'll do that myself, as they really seem the only option for me.
Well we try to be. XD
Anyhow, keys just arrived today. Here's one quick and dirty comparison.
I think we found the key we're looking for guys. This is the CI-DL key made by JMA. I'll be getting one of this and the 1A key cut to look at the cross section. If it looks good I'll try sanding one. I'm really hoping that they started using JMA keys for all their Tardis needs. That would make things so much easier.
AMAZING find!!!! I have searched for a key from "Blink" for a long time. I think you really nailed it Straker. I ordered a few of them from your link. I can't wait to get it. I hope I get the same one that you did because I'm not sure your link is the same key your ordered now, it says the key is nickle over brass.
Great, sounds like I ordered the wrong key.
They let me cancel my order, which is great! And I ordered this one from them instead 9CS CISA JMA KEY BLANK It does say it's the equivalent of the CI-DL.
Well that's good then. Hope they send actual JMA branded keys and not just the equivalent to it.
On another note...sanding these keys suuuuuucks! These things are tough keys, no question. I sanded at one with 220 grit paper on a metal block for an HOUR, went through the entire sheet and didn't get though it all. So, I went to the basement and tried files. Forget that. They chewed at the key but my arm is SORE for it. So I tried the round part of the belt sander and that DID make a difference but it also make the key uneven. I wanted to try the flat metal backed part of the sander but i just couldn't hold the key. SO I figured out a sort of jig to hold they key still and flat against the metal part that would take the heat of the friction and sand the key.
It works but thanks to my experimenting on just the one key this one lost a lot of material. XD But that's why I bought so many. I knew i was going to lose at least one to just figuring out the best way to blank them. I'll try a fresh key later but my fingers are sore and burnt from heat and just trying to hold the darn thing in my fingers. Think I'll be blanking them FIRST then getting them cut. Those teeth are really rough on fingers XP
Holy cow dude! You put some effort into grinding that key! Don't you know anyone with access to an industrial belt sander? You need to start with a coarser grit. Maybe as low as 80. Then work your way up. Looks good though, and I like the fixture. thumbsup
They let me cancel my order, which is great! And I ordered this one from them instead 9CS CISA JMA KEY BLANK It does say it's the equivalent of the CI-DL.
In the process of starting my key collection, read a wealth of info from this thread so thanks guys. If someone would kindly tell me exactly what size chip this is as well as what the gold sticker thingy is behind the wires? Greatly appreciate it. Thanks again!
If anyone is interested, even though I already posted the info in the chipped key thread I can post my build here as well. Seeing as how it's still a modern key I don't think it would derail my own thread or be off topic or redundant.