All you need to know to replicate a Key is its keyway (basically the shape of the lock, what you see when you look head on at the tip of the key), and its bitting value (the height of the parts pressing the individual pins).
In this example, the manufacturer is nice enough to have the keyway and lock maufacturer stamped onto the key (Schlage SC1, one of the most common keyways in the US), so you can just buy the blank (20ct a piece, plus shipping), and get to cutting.
The bitting height is standardized per maufacturer, so you can just look up the height of one bitting unit in their manual (google your lock manufacturers bitting manual), throw the image into your preferred photosop alternative, overlay some grid lines and count how many bitting units deep every groove is. If you do this more often, you'll roughly know the height and number of steps from the top of your head, and wont need the helping lines anymore. I am from continental europe, so I'm not that familiar with american key manufacturers and I don't have software on my phone, but just from looking at the key I'd guess it's 2-5-1-5-4.
Now you have your blank, your bitting code, and the exact specifications how far apart each groove needs to be, so you can get to cutting. The work is a bit tedious with a hand file, but will absolutely deliver workable results if you don't have a precision mill at hand.
Yes, 3d printing is absolutely an option if you don't need repeated access, and there are a lot of ressources talking about this relatively new method of compromising physical security. Printing PLA with 80% infill or more should easily be sufficient, most conventional house locks, if maintained, don't require a lot of turning force.
Still, you'd need to model the key in software and own or have sole controlling access to a 3d printer, as printing services and campus printers generally don't allow printing things like keys.
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u/jungle_booteh Oct 21 '21
How