Anyone lose a set of keys on Baker Street this past Sunday night?
Unless there is a car key fob involved, my guess is that a person who has lost a set of keys would rather just make a duplicate set than respond to an anonymous poster on a message board (assuming that person does not know the IRL identity of said poster). Better bet might be to turn these keys into the MPD and post that fact on this thread.
ETA: If there is a card with a magnetic strip on the key chain you found, you can turn the keys into the business/organization issuing said card and they can use the information on the magnetic strip to locate and notify the keys' owner.
joan_crystal said:
Unless there is a car key fob involved, my guess is that a person who has lost a set of keys would rather just make a duplicate set than respond to an anonymous poster on a message board (assuming that person does not know the IRL identity of said poster). Better bet might be to turn these keys into the MPD and post that fact on this thread.
Yes, there is a car key fob on the set. They will be turned in to MPD but just trying here first in case.
Um, maybe if a set of keys is lost, there may be no other duplicates to make duplicates from. I can't imagine not wanting my keys back, no matter what the circumstance.
Also, I have rarely had a duplicate made that was made out of metal as hard as the original, and the reproduction of the hills and valleys -- teeth?) is never quite as sharply accurate. The more generations of duplicates, the further from the original key in design.
Concern is one of security. Someone who has your keys and knows who you are can trace where you live and then use duplicates to enter your house uninvited. Not suggesting that is the case here; but the potential exists.
joan_crystal said:
Concern is one of security. Someone who has your keys and knows who you are can trace where you live and then use duplicates to enter your house uninvited. Not suggesting that is the case here; but the potential exists.
Well if I knew who it was, I would have contacted them to return the keys! They will be going to the MPD tomorrow.
chopin said:
Um, maybe if a set of keys is lost, there may be no other duplicates to make duplicates from. I can't imagine not wanting my keys back, no matter what the circumstance.
Also, I have rarely had a duplicate made that was made out of metal as hard as the original, and the reproduction of the hills and valleys -- teeth?) is never quite as sharply accurate. The more generations of duplicates, the further from the original key in design.
For regular locks, not high security lock like Medeco, it is the "valleys" that count. The lock cylinder pins rest on the valleys. The only exception is when the pins in a cylinder chamber are at the shortest length - then the key cut depth for that pin is a very shallow cut, if any.
Quality lock cylinders, usually commercial or high security like Medeco, come with original keys made of Nickel/Silver. Cheaper locks come with brass keys. Brass key blanks cost less but they are softer than Nickel/Silver keys. Nickel/Silver keys last much longer.
That shouldn't be an issue provided you keep one of the original keys that came with the lock as a file key. Use your file key to make working copies. Don't wear down the file key by using it for anything else. Use your working copies and in 5, 10 or 20 years when the working copies are worn down use the file key to make new copies.
The thing is to get someone who makes accurate copies. Ideally you want a copy where the "valleys" are within 2/1000's of an inch to the original. A locksmith who doesn't keep his machine to that standard is not doing his job. Even when some of the "valleys" are off by 5/1000's the key will still work. I've seen keys that were off by 10/1000's and by jiggling up and down in the lock they can still be made to turn the cylinder.
The reason you want an accurate key, within 2/1000's, is that it minimizes cylinder and pin wear. If the key is cut to high but still capable of turning the cylinder, the pins will rub against the cylinder shell. If cut too low, the drivers will be bumped when the cylinder turn is initiated.
joan_crystal said:
Concern is one of security. Someone who has your keys and knows who you are can trace where you live and then use duplicates to enter your house uninvited. Not suggesting that is the case here; but the potential exists.
How would someone responding anonymously on a message board, describing their keys, and driving to someone's house to pick them up, be in any position to be identified? I must be missing some part of the argument. If it was me, I'd surely want them back... a new car key runs about $400.
Another set of keys- found in the grass in South Orange at Memorial Park turned in to the Baird.
If this set might be yours, please send me a PM and please provide a detailed description.