Sight decoding wafer locks with prepared depth guides & key machine

just another way to narrow down pin or wafer height by using a combination of specially cut keys, visual decoding, and finishing off with impressioning if needed. Usually with 7-8 already prepared keys you can determine several depths, cut or file them down which would give you a advantage when impressioning to make final key.

[@Chirael]

Very cool, thanks for explaining and showing this 😊

[@WolfJustWolf]

Very similar to a system i've been using for a couple of years.
I call it depth gauging. Basically i have 1 key for each depth. They are completely cut flat (all positions and it between) , and the tip is cut at a 90° angle. On the side , i punched marks that indicate the position.
The 5 cut will pass all the wafers (or pins) the 4 will pass all the wafers (or pins) except a #5 wafer. So if it stops , i know that wafer(or pin) is a 5. The 4 cut will pass all wafers except #4 and #5. And so on.
This at best gives me all the bitting. At worst , i get the deepest cut and its position and the depth of the first and can work from there.
Does that make sense ? It's not that easy to explain.
It used to be my go-to methode for Peugeot pin tumbler door locks. These are pain in the ass to put back together, if you don't have the parts to replace the bottom.
Now i just use it for cylinders or waferlocks where i can't get the core out. Like padlocks.

[@jeffmoss26]

this is great!!!

[@peterdambra6387]

Good job Jason. A nice technic.. But you should change the title to decoding instead of impressioning...