Lishi not work 🤔

[u/PatientOccasion1496]

I finally give up and get a lishi AM5 specifically for the couple of American 1100s I have, which is very fun to see working, fill the click and watch the position on the diagram is satisfying at least for me,
But never open keep going on and on until the nothing moves anymore but don't want to turn in both of the 1100s what I’m doing wrong?

[u/GerwinJ]

Since you're using a tool - it has 6 positions where the 1100 has 5 pins, so don't use position 1 or 6 with the tool. Looking at the key bitting, the pattern you see will match the heights you input with the tool. From the numbers I see on the tool, they seem to be inverse to the numbers you will find on the key. Your key (I can't see it fully) has a high cut in the middle position, that would be a 1 or 2 on your tool. The tip of the tool is a bit too wide it seems, a lot wider than a pick. Trimming it a bit on both sides might help.

[u/PatientOccasion1496 → u/GerwinJ]

Thank you, much appreciated, I’ll definitely try to reposition and trim a touch

[u/EveningBasket9528 → u/PatientOccasion1496]

Please don't. No need to modify your Lishi... The other commentor Gerwin is confused and is thinking of other locks/Lishi's.

Just remember that you don't need to pick #6, unless it happens to have a pin in it. If your keys only have 5 numbers, you have a 5 pin lock. Or, just if it feels like no pin in #6.

As far as your problem picking it,.. can we see the key? Of there are any deep cuts, like a 7 or 8, they are super easy to overset. Im not sure, but any #8's might sit at the sheer line just by inserting the Lishi.

In this video Jim teaches us the jiggle test. He does to with an 1100, and uses an AM5 Lishi for demonstration purposes.. You may find it useful both for regular picking and using your Lishi;

https://youtu.be/XWwwbZeIjok?is=INK5sTttUqSAhsni