How to Create a Bump Key to Open Any Door (2024)

How to Create a Bump Key to Open Any Door (1) How to Create a Bump Key to Open Any Door (2)

Lockpicking is a skill that takes years upon years to master. Locks come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but have common ground in how they work. Most cylinder locks have "tumblers," which are metallic cylindrical objects that sit vertically to the actual locking mechanism. Tumblers have five or six holes with rounded key pins of various height in them, each needing to meet an exact height or the cylinder in the center (the lock itself) will not be allowed to turn. This is the reason why you see those "mountains and valleys" on keys, and why these types of locks are called pin tumbler locks. Each is unique.

Today's Null Byte is going to demonstrate how to effectively make what is called a "bump key". A bump key can open any lock that it fits into. It's helpful to have in your pocket if you ever lose your keys, because it can open your door lock and your deadbolt, even if they normally require seperate keys. I keep mine in my wallet.

What Makes It Work?

The teeth in a bump key are set really low so that you can fit it into locks where the tumblers may be set as low as possible. The teeth are steep and jagged because when you "bump" the key while applying torque, for a split-second, all of the tumblers will bounce up into their perfect positions allowing a window for you to open the lock. The torque you apply makes the tumblers stop once they reach the desired height.

Please don't use this key to go into places where you do not belong.

Step 1 Make the Bump Key

Go to the any store that has blank keys. Wal-Mart and Home Depot have them. They look like this, without teeth at all:

A bump key is made by using a triangular file (they're at every hardware store… very cheap) on the blank key.

Point the file down to shave the extreme "valleys" that you see in a bump key, with ample force. Use it to shave down the grooves on the key to look like this:

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If you don't want to use a blank key, you can just use one of your spare house keys.

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Step 2 Bump Open a Lock!

  1. Put the key into a hole at the end of the plug (exactly how you would normally open a lock). The bump key pictured above would fit into most cylinder locks and deadbolts.
  2. After it's pushed all the way into the lock, pull the key out until you feel it click twice.
  3. Take your blunt object (I use a pocket knife) and hit the key with a bit of force, while applying torque (pressure) to turn the key in the direction you need to in order to open it.

It's a little hard to get at first, but once you get the feel for it, you can open it the first try nearly every time. Here's a video demonstration on how I used one to open my garage.

Good job making your first bump key! Talk with me one-on-one at our IRC channel! You can also follow me on Twitter and Google+ to get in touch with me. Happy hacking!

Photos by HSW, Bumpkey.com, Made-in-China, TopMachineBiz, ImageShack

Via How to Create a Bump Key to Open Any Door on null-byte.wonderhowto.com.

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How to Create a Bump Key to Open Any Door (2024)

FAQs

How to Create a Bump Key to Open Any Door? ›

Find a key that can fit inside the lock. Use a wedge or triangular file to shave down the valleys between the teeth so the key has a jagged, zig-zag appearance. Put the key in the lock, turn it, then hit the back of the key with a blunt object to bump the lock.

Can I make my own bump key? ›

You can make one from a blank key, as long as you have the real key or lock as a guide. Bump keys are usually associated with lockpicking and burglary, but this how-to is strictly for legal purposes. Only open doors legally, and store your bump key in a safe place.

Will any key work as a bump key? ›

The process of gaining entry using a bump key is called “bumping,” and it can be very effective. All the cuts on a bump key are made to the maximum depth, so any key blank can be made into a bump key.

Is there a key that can unlock any door? ›

A skeleton key has the warded section of the key removed so that it opens all the doors of a system. Some applications, such as a building with multiple entrance doors, have numerous locks that are keyed alike; one key will open every door.

Can Home Depot make bump keys? ›

Step 1 Make the Bump Key

Go to the any store that has blank keys. Wal-Mart and Home Depot have them.

What is a 999 key? ›

Bump keys are specially cut keys that can bypass the security mechanisms built into traditional pin and tumbler locks. Bump keys are also referred to as “999 keys” because all of their ridges are cut to the maximum depth (999) in a key-making machine.

How do you force open a door without a key? ›

One popular method is to use bobby pins. Insert the bobby pin into the keyhole and apply pressure to the bottom of the pin while you turn it. This will cause the pins inside the lock to move and eventually line up, allowing you to turn the knob and open the door. Another option is to use a flathead screwdriver.

How do you add a bump to a key? ›

Normal super glue would just run across a keyboard's key, but the gel super glue will create a little raised bump just like Elmer's glue. I applied the gel super glue last night. The bumps are very noticeable this morning. Let's see how long they last.

How to make a key for a door lock? ›

To make a new key for an existing lock, you cut a series of notches in the key so that it raises each of the upper pins just above the shear line. Essentially, you cut a pattern in the metal that matches the pattern of the pins in the lock.

How to make a key bump? ›

Find a key that can fit inside the lock. Use a wedge or triangular file to shave down the valleys between the teeth so the key has a jagged, zig-zag appearance. Put the key in the lock, turn it, then hit the back of the key with a blunt object to bump the lock.

How effective are bump keys? ›

About 90% of all locks can be unlocked with a bump key. Bumping requires little to no skills. Even an amateur can be quite successful in opening a lock with this method. The key that is used during this process is one that is specifically designed to manipulate the mechanics of pin tumbler locks.

What do locksmiths use to unlock doors? ›

Locksmiths carry a special set of tools that include lock picks, screwdrivers, and drills that they use depending on the type of door and the locks fitted inside them. There are two ways that locksmiths use to open doors: Destructive entry and. Non-destructive entry.

How to make your own key? ›

To make a key at home, heat up your original key with a lighter, then press it onto a piece of clear tape. Transfer the tape onto an expired credit card, then cut out the shape of the key with scissors. To get a copy of your key made professionally, visit a locksmith, a hardware store, or a key-cutting kiosk.

What is a key called that can open any door? ›

Skeleton keys, if you please! A skeleton key is a key on which the inside bit has been hollowed so that the key can open many different locks.

How do you make a homemade key? ›

To make a key at home, heat up your original key with a lighter, then press it onto a piece of clear tape. Transfer the tape onto an expired credit card, then cut out the shape of the key with scissors. To get a copy of your key made professionally, visit a locksmith, a hardware store, or a key-cutting kiosk.

Can dimple keys be copied? ›

Often there is a code number marked across the key's 'neck'. The codes usually start with one or two letters followed by some numbers, e.g. AC0121. Simply upload a clear photo of your key and we'll be able to make a fully working key copy. At We Love Keys, we can make copies of these dimple keys in record time.

Can you make a key from a VIN? ›

Most vehicles in the United States from 1990 and up have key codes that are saved on file with the manufactures. As long as you can prove ownership of your vehicle a car key can be made with the Vehicle Identification Number aka VIN number. Once a key code is pulled from the VIN number a car key can be cut.

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