[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/2018\/05\/lost-keys-look-key-code\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/2018\/05\/lost-keys-look-key-code\/","headline":"Lost Keys?  Look for a Key Code!","name":"Lost Keys?  Look for a Key Code!","description":"Everyone loses keys at some point, so you should always have a back-up key for every lock you deal with.\u00a0 It is always easier and cheaper to have a duplicate made rather than have one \u201coriginated\u201d when you no longer have one to copy. When you have lost that last key, your locksmith may be…","datePublished":"2018-05-14","dateModified":"2018-05-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/author\/tom-ziemer\/#Person","name":"Tom Ziemer","url":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/author\/tom-ziemer\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9b9c11d2236675907238ca9827cd4345b2203020e91f7b2b44a75133834a1dab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9b9c11d2236675907238ca9827cd4345b2203020e91f7b2b44a75133834a1dab?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Hoogerhyde Safe and Lock","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Hoogerhyde-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Hoogerhyde-logo.png","width":600,"height":217}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/www.tomziemer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_3159-300x200.jpg","url":"http:\/\/www.tomziemer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/IMG_3159-300x200.jpg","height":"200","width":"300"},"url":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/2018\/05\/lost-keys-look-key-code\/","about":["Uncategorized"],"wordCount":692,"keywords":["Locks","locksmith service"],"articleBody":"Everyone loses keys at some point, so you should always have a back-up key for every lock you deal with.\u00a0 It is always easier and cheaper to have a duplicate made rather than have one \u201coriginated\u201d when you no longer have one to copy.When you have lost that last key, your locksmith may be able to make a \u201ckey by code\u201d relatively cheaply, depending on the type of lock.\u00a0 On many utility-type locks a key code will be stamped on the face of the lock.\u00a0 Looking up the code tells the locksmith which key blank to use and how to cut it.\u00a0 For example, Code # FR301 is for Steecase furniture; it tells the locksmith that the right key blank is #K101, and it specifies cut depths and spacing between cuts in thousandths of an inch.Cost for making a key by code is higher than just copying a key; it takes longer and requires special machines and reference materials.\u00a0 It usually runs $10 to $20.\u00a0 Price is most often determined by whether the key is one-sided, two-sided or a tubular type.\u00a0 There are exceptions, of course.\u00a0 If you have a safe or fire file with a high-security Medeco lock, for instance, your local locksmith probably cannot cut the key. \u00a0You may need to spend $50 to $100 to get a replacement key from the manufacturer.Locks for which codes are typically visible include those for office furniture, car luggage racks, tool chests, towel dispensers, cabinets, file cabinets, gum ball machines, old steamer chests and low end key-locking safes.If you find the key code a number of issues might still prevent an easy fix to your situation.\u00a0 For instance:If the code is too simple, say, three numerals like \u201c158\u201d, the locksmith\u2019s computer will find a large number of different code series that use that number. Then it is hard to figure out which series is the appropriate one to use.\u00a0 A more complicated code will eliminate questions.\u00a0 For example, Steelcase\u2019s key system is the only one that uses #FR301.Some code series cannot be found in reference materials.Sometimes the code is stamped poorly and cannot be read. In the photo you can easily read the lock maker\u2019s name but it is hard to read the 221 key code.There can be errors or typo\u2019s in the way the code was recorded by the manufacturer, so the locksmith is given the wrong information to work with.The lock could have been re-keyed at some point, so the original code is no longer valid.Most lock shops will not have all the information resources and every machine required to cut every key.Because of potential problems that are not our fault, when we make keys by code we do not guaranty them to work and we do not refund the cost.As manufacturers change products over time, and as security requirements change, availability of key codes also change.\u00a0 In the past Master printed key codes on the bottoms of padlocks, but now they do not.\u00a0 There is a good reason for that:\u00a0 It used to be that a person could get the code off the padlock on someone\u2019s storage shed, then have a key made by a locksmith so he could steal tools.\u00a0 Years ago it was easy to get key codes if you had a car\u2019s VIN number.\u00a0 All you had to do was look at the VIN through the windshield, then have a key made.\u00a0 Remember when car theft was the most common crime in the U.S.?Sometimes key codes were hidden but could be found if you knew where to look.\u00a0 On GM cars from past years the code was on the ignition lock, but the lock had to be removed to see it.\u00a0 With some foreign cars key codes were on the lock cylinder of the passenger-side door lock.\u00a0 Now they don\u2019t even have passenger-side door locks.If you lose your last key, look for a key code before doing anything rash.\u00a0 (You might need a magnifying glass.)\u00a0 Chances are good that the local locksmith can make one for you.\u00a0 But have him make two!"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/2018\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Lost Keys?  Look for a Key Code!","item":"https:\/\/hoogerhydesafe.com\/2018\/05\/lost-keys-look-key-code\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]