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Silverghost500
Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2018
Posts: 1198
Location: Atlanta, GA
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 Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 7:34 am Post subject: Key Cut |
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I went this morning with my new steel key blank to one of the big box home improvement stores thinking they could make me a new one. They now have a new key scanner tool. Unfortunately Vanagon keys are not in their database for this new machine, therefore they can no longer cut keys.
Now it's off to see if there's a locksmith with some old school equipment that can do the job.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A conversion
3-Speed Automatic
Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA |
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joetiger 
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5239
Location: denver
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 7:50 am Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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| Silverghost500 wrote: |
I went this morning with my new steel key blank to one of the big box home improvement stores thinking they could make me a new one. They now have a new key scanner tool. Unfortunately Vanagon keys are not in their database for this new machine, therefore they can no longer cut keys.
Now it's off to see if there's a locksmith with some old school equipment that can do the job. |
I had the exact same issue at the exact same big box store last week. Locksmith downtown is going to set me up.
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'91 Wolfsburg Carat "Barchetta"
'02 Baja-ish Beetle "Bubbles"
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Justice for Megan: https://linktr.ee/justiceformegantrussell |
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CanStan
Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2005
Posts: 1105
Location: Calgary, AB
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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I've never had any luck getting keys cut at big box stores. But I did try about 50 different times before I realized a locksmith could cut it properly for about the same price.
I had an old worn out and bent Vanagon key. I took it (and the van) to a locksmith and had a new one cut. He was able to cut it, test it on the van, and make a couple adjustments to the profile so it worked 100%. It was $4 well spent. That beat the hell out of playing key cutting roulette like the box stores do. |
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riceye
Samba Member
Joined: March 09, 2006
Posts: 1696
Location: Caledonia, WI
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| Posted: Wed May 22, 2019 8:50 am Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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In my experience, big box stores, as well as Ace/True Value hardware stores will not cut a steel key. They can only cut brass (or whatever yellow alloy they sell). I have an independent locksmith nearby who knows me well enough, and gives great service at a very reasonable price, even with chipped keys.
I always plan ahead of a visit and bring his little Yorkie Yummy Chummy salmon dog treats. I think I'm his best friend.
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'87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads
There's gonna be some changes made.
“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee
"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig |
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ThrowerVan
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2021
Posts: 8
Location: OR
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 5684
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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save your steel keys for testing body magnetism generated from the Covid vaccine....
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.
'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd
Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com |
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spitsnrovers
Samba Member
Joined: December 17, 2005
Posts: 940
Location: Calgary, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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djkeev said
| Quote: |
PostPosted: Today 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut
Put your steel key aside as your emergency use key.
My Loxksmith tells me that VW never provided a steel key.
Why?
Steel destroys brass ...... quickly. |
Then how come I have an original steel VW key with VW logo inside the black plastic surround and a WTO code stamped on the shank? I believe this was the original key the original owner owner sold me with the van. Could I be wrong? Again?
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'88 VW Westfalia
'75 Triumph Spitfire 1500 |
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Crankey
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2004
Posts: 2672
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 7:52 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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I remember pulling lock cylinders and filling the bits inside so my key worked in the whole truck... hopefully that previous owner phenomenon hasn't happened to your van.
Maybe you can file the key yourself ? I filed a key for my landlords garden gate once. Started from a piece of brass flat stock, not an actual key blank at all. It worked ok. Not great, just ok. |
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16CVs
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4231
Location: Redwood City, California
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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Mr Locksmith does not know what he is talking about. I have the original steel key with my 89 that has 423k miles on it. Brass keys wear out and bend and loose their cuts after time.
My local locksmith has a machine Dedicated to steel keys. No problem $5.00 later it’s cut and I’m gone.
Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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Gnarlodious
Samba Member
Joined: September 28, 2013
Posts: 2404
Location: Bonners Ferry Idaho
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| Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:18 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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I would also recommend to avoid the original plastic gripped key with the VW logo. If someone finds your keys it would make your dear van all too easy to steal.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32987
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8163
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:55 am Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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Internet information is worth what you pay for it, but this article says Porsche cars were provided with steel keys. Interesting info...
http://www.motokeys.com/technical-articles/steel-vs-brass-ke
| Quote: |
However, I run into a lot of original keys and a few aftermarket that are steel -- these are usually nickel-plated too. This is particularly common in German marques like BMW and Porsche.
So which is better?
All else being equal:
Steel keys are stronger and more resistant to bending.
Steel keys can be hidden on the frame of a motorcycle or car with a small rare-earth magnet.
Steel can rust, particularly in the cut area, where brass may simply discolor.
Over the years, steel keys can wear the internals of their locks more so than brass keys. |
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- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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erdonline
Samba Member
Joined: September 26, 2004
Posts: 944
Location: CT
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| Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2023 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Key Cut |
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I realize this in an old thread, but I just came across it so I thought I'd address the question mentioned above.
As originally sold, the Vanagon used one key for all doors, the rear hatch, and the gas cap. The only different one was for the glove box. As the years went on, many gas caps were replaced with ones that used a different key blank, the same as on Thule roof racks. Also, in the last few years, you can't get new ignition lock cylinders that use the "N" key blank. They use the "AH" blank of other water-cooled VWs, and can't be matched to other locks.
But to address the question above, both blanks from Mr. Lock, whether plastic-headed or not, would work in the ignition and doors interchangeably, so long as none of the cylinders have been changed to non "N" key profiles.
Ed in CT
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'85 Vanagon Westfalia
'84 Vanagon 7-passenger
'98 Mexican air-cooled Beetle |
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