HINTS&TIPS • 65
4 x methods of setting up a bump key
Mark Ward
If a lock states anti-bump it does not
necessarily mean it’s impossible to bump
(just as much as anti-drill means it can
still be drilled or anti-pick can’t still be
picked). It just it that little bit harder.
HOW TO BUMP…
The simplest way to bump is to use the
key with the shoulder on and insert it fully.
Pull the key out one or two notches and
then strike it towards the lock. This methods
requires a little more practice as the timing
is more critical and it will have to be pulled
back out after each strike. Unfortunately this
method will also leave noticeable marks on
the face of the cylinder.
An alternative method is to file just a
few millimetres off both the tip and the
shoulder of the key. When the key is fully
inserted the spring pressure from the pins
in the lock will push your key out by a few
millimetres. This method will reset the
key each time you strike it but again it will
leave noticeable marks on the face of the
cylinder.
The best method I have found is
removing the shoulder completely and
using a dampener. Dampeners can be
easily made out of any old compression
springs, rubber or plastic washers or even
O-rings. This method does not cause any
visible damage and there is no need to
keep pulling the key out after each strike.
When striking the key you must use a
combination of very light tension with a
moderate amount of strike, and remember
to vary the hit pattern otherwise you will
be there all day with no success. Feel what
the lock is doing and adjust your strike
and tension accordingly. Sometimes one
solid hit will work better than four or five
lighter, quicker taps.
I suggest all cylinders are lubricated
prior to bumping to allow the key to move
in and out freely. If the key is hard to push
in or pull out then bumping will not work.
Excessive bumping can also cause damage
to the lock springs and the pins inside.
TIPS & TOOLS
Bump keys are probably the cheapest
tool available today, and can easily be
made out of old unwanted cut keys or
blanks for a few pence. Preferably steel
blanks should be used rather than brass
as they are less susceptible to getting bent
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4 x cylinders Bumped
or damaged. If you buy a bump key I do
strongly advise that they are always copied
onto another key or blank and the original
one left well alone, so you will always
be able to copy more and set them up in
several different options.
Bump hammers are also easy to find,
but a decent weighted screwdriver works
just as well by using the handle end and
holding the blade of the screwdriver.
Remember to grind off any sharp edges
of the screwdriver to avoid any injury to
the hand and keep it solely for the use as
bumping hammer.
Over the years I have made well over 200
individual bump keys which have all been
personally developed and tested by myself
and all of which are now available to the
trade. It is probably the largest collection of
individual bump keys and sets for sale in
the UK, but if you search for this list on the
internet you will not be able to find it as I
am a strong believer in keeping these tools
out of the wrong hands.”
For a full list of bump keys please
contact via [email protected]
with proof of trading.