Key cutting.....2nd time cut and still not working

theoretica

Looking at the keys in the photo, I wonder if the blank they started with was too different and doomed to failure.

victor2

They do look a bit different, but given the cylinder and keys, Timpsons should be able to sort it out, or at least give a refund.

Rony

Ah thanks guys, I managed to get my cylinder out now. 

So I took it to Timpson again and I could see they were having trouble. They told me to come back in half and hour they were having so much trouble.

I came back and they managed to cut one of 2 keys, they said it took them 5 tries, and even then that 1 key wasnt perfect.

I asked him what the issue was and he said its potentially two things:

1) This is a small Timpson. Its one of those small Kiosk Timpson outside Tesco and so they dont ahve the best up to date equipment.

2) That potentially the cut on the key is too "deep"? I dont know what that means

Anyways he recommended I go to the next closest one which will have better equipment.

Ill try go there sometime this week, but I wont take my cylinder with me this time, as I didn;'t like leaving my flat unlocked. I kept imagining thieves stealing all my stuff :P But I might have to again if this other Timpson also fails.....

victor2

Another option is to buy (another) cylinder with the appropriate number of keys from a locksmith.

Will cost more of course, but based on the key you have, it's not a high security rated cylinder anyway.

If you do consider that option, it is vital to measure the cylinder to make sure you get a matching one. Click here to see one site of many showing how to measure them, or just google it.

GDB2222

If it's any consolation, I got ten keys cut by Banhams, a well-regarded locksmiths. Not one of them worked.

I complained to their head office, and they recut all the keys there. They even made a lock to fit the original key, for testing. To be frank, they were showing off a bit!

The problem is that the really skilled locksmiths are off, doing really clever stuff, and the key cutting gets done by the apprentice. Or, in the case of Timpsons, a guy with a bit of training. 

Norman_Castle

Rony said:

The copy isn't cut deeply enough. Either a worn cutting machine or operator error. A lot of small independent DIY shops cut keys.

Norman_Castle

Rony said:

Ill try go there sometime this week, but I wont take my cylinder with me this time, as I didn;'t like leaving my flat unlocked. I kept imagining thieves stealing all my stuff :P

You had the locks changed. Did you keep the old locks?

casper_gutman

I don't think the machinery they're using or the cutting is the issue. It doesn't look like they used a matching blank in the first place.

Compare the width of the flat part between the grooves on the surface of the blade of each key. It's MUCH wider on the Smith and Locke (the original, I think). The difference is very obvious when you look at the tips of the two keys.

fenwick458

I stopped getting keys cut after having a similar experience, after 2 trips and it still not working I eventually went down to the shop with the euro cylinder and they eventually fixed it. cost me £12 for 3 keys (this was about 5 years ago) 
I've since realised you can get a complete cylinder with 4 keys for almost the same money, delivered to your door, which seems much better value and less hassle.
and if anybody is paranoid about the people selling these locks online turning up and burgling you weeks later (with a copy of the key) 
just get a friend to order it to a different address so they don't know where to go!

victor2

fenwick458 said:

...
and if anybody is paranoid about the people selling these locks online turning up and burgling you weeks later (with a copy of the key) 
just get a friend to order it to a different address so they don't know where to go!

I did that once. Paid on my credit card, so had to indicate my billing address. The goods were sent to the delivery address, but the invoice inside had my billing address on it!