An Unethical Life Pro Tip (or ULPT) is a tip that improves your life in a meaningful way, perhaps at the expense of others and/or with questionable legality. Share your best tips you've picked up throughout your life, and learn from others!
ULPT Rules:
Unless you go to a super professional locksmith shop nobody cares. I have had these kinds of keys copied multiple times and prepared an elaborate backstory about being sent by my boss and they didn't even ask either time. They didn't even look or notice.
If they do ask and you don't want to lie just go to the next hardware store over. They can't keep your keys or hold you or anything for trying to get a key made, at worst they will say no.
Do you know if this includes the 'Best Cormax' type keys?
It's the one that would provide the shower access, so hoping to find a solution for it.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
that system works through restricted keyblanks, so they specifically aren't handing out the blanks to ANY locksmith, you can normally only get a true copy from the Best factory directly.
I'm sure it's possible but it would require an unethical professional who knows what they are doing or a very lucky and patient DIY job to make a frankenkey I think.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L5Fus7qbRZM
The Replicant lets you imprint a key in clay, and then later cast a copy. The risk is that it breaks off in the lock and you have to fish it out or be prepared to explain that you were not authorized.
https://covertinstruments.com/products/replicant
$70 USD but maybe you could sell it when you're done?
With a small metal file and a stack of key blanks, you could make your own copies of whatever you want.
I should add not ANY key you want. Higher security locks are going to require cuts that you may not be able to do with a generic key blank, but those are more likely to be found on corporate doors, than cheap "landlord special" locks.
Yeah, that's a good idea, I've considered trying this.
Though, the key that would give access to the shower is a 'Best Cormax'. So, hoping to find a solution for that if I can.
I'd just try and get it copied. As long as you don't act like you're up to something weird, I'd doubt anybody'd question it. I've had friends get such keys copied for similar reasons and had no troubles. It's not like they know what the keys are for.
Have you ever gotten a 'Best Cormax' key duplicated?
I can search for locksmiths or maybe even self-service kiosks (from another comment here), but I'm not sure about that more secure Cormax key, which gives the shower access.
minute key? there's one in most walmarts i've been to
Can I copy “Do Not Duplicate,” school building, high-security, public institution or other restricted keys?
No, this machine cannot be used for duplicating any keys marked “Do Not Duplicate”. See TERMS OF USE for more details.
I used one for this. The machine doesn't know.
This is just a legal CYA.
Huh, I'd figure they'd scan for that or something.
That's my worry as well. The last thing I want is to set off some alarm or whatever.
if you're worried, i've heard of people covering the words with tape
Thank you very much. That's really good to know.
Though, I'm unsure of a few things.
So, the machine physically CAN copy this type of key, you're just not supposed to?
And, additionally, I wonder how it copies a key type if it doesn't have the key template in it's inventory.
Unless it either has those templates and just tells people to use the honor system, or it somehow copies keys in a way which somewhat disregards the specifics of templates?
Also, unless the manner in which it copies keys is capable of duplicating various security features, this wouldn't work for say the more secure 'Best Cormax' key (which would give the shower access)?
It’s definitely going to depend on what type of key you have. The ones at my local supermarket are very simple and practically can only copy house keys. I’ve definitely copied rental apartment keys with it though that have a “do not copy” text engraved.
Postbox keys and automotive keys, I don’t know of any machine that copies them in my area. Not because they detect and refuse, but because it needs to be the correct key size.
If it actually has the right size key available, I’ve yet to come across a machine that would actually inspect the key to see if it was labeled to refuse copying.
Like @three@lemmy.zip mentioned, the service states you can't duplicate those types of keys. But on their website, after this statement, they link to their Terms of Service, which states
and you will not use the Service or the Minute Key Machine to duplicate any third party’s keys (including without limitation, protected keys such as “Do Not Duplicate,” “Do Not Copy,” public school, public university, or public institution keys)"
unless you are authorized in writing by such third party to duplicate such keys."
So, the machine physically CAN copy this type of key, you're just not supposed to?
And, additionally, I wonder how it copies a key type if it doesn't have the key template in it's inventory.
Unless it either has those templates and just tells people to use the honor system, or it somehow copies keys in a way which somewhat disregards the specifics of templates?
Also, unless the manner in which it copies keys is capable of duplicating various security features, this wouldn't work for say the more secure 'Best Cormax' key (which would give the shower access)?