Determining The Proper Cuts

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DETERMINATORS are available for most years and models of domestic vehicles.


The DETERMINATOR system works by decoding automotive door locks equipped with wafer tumblers. DETERMINATORS are available for most years and models of domestic and “World” vehicles’ wafer tumbler lock mechanisms. The DETERMlNATOR has been developed for each lock mechanism, so be sure to...


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The next step is to determine what each of the shallower depths of cut is; a one or a two. And what are the depths of cuts for the deeper depth wafer tumblers? This can be accomplished using several different methods.

One method is to cut a key using try-out key depths/ half cut depths. Cut the shallower depth wafer tumblers to a 1-1/2, and if the lock mechanism is only four depths, cut the deeper depth wafer tumblers to a 3-1/2. When the key is cut, try the key in the door lock and see if it will operate. You may have to jiggle the key slightly to get the wafer tumblers to align at the shearline in order to rotate the plug.

As an alternative, you can cut a key to the number one depths for the shallower depth of cut wafer tumblers, and a number three depth for the deeper depth of cut wafer tumblers in a four depth of cut lock mechanism. Then, impression the door lock, knowing if a wafer tumbler marks, the depth of cut is a deeper depth.

Once the depths of cut from the door lock have been decoded, the next step is to determine what must be done, if anything, to the key to operate the ignition lock.

Does this key have to be modified, as in determining additional depths of cut? Can they be determined by using progression? Can the additional cuts be impressioned?

Once the key operates the ignition lock, either remove and read the code, remove and decode the ignition lock, or (if the key operates smoothly), originate a key to the determined depths of cut.

For more information, contact Car Openers Inc., P. O. Box 895 Ocoee, FL 34761. Telephone: 800-561-0443. E-mail: thecaropeners@aol.com.

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