Copying Safe Keys with Metrolocks
Everything you wanted to know about cutting safe keys, but were afraid to ask!Safes come in many different shapes and sizes, and safe keys are no different. There’s a huge variety of keys out there, but we’ve narrowed it down to five main types.
To find out more about your type of safe key, click the image that looks most like your key. If in doubt, why not send us an email to team@metrolocks.co.uk, or give us a call on 020 7608 0809.
The five main types of safe key:
Click the pictures or scroll to find out more
Single- and double-bit safe keys
Yale-style side-cut safe keys
Dimple safe keys
Tubular safe keys
Double-sided wafer keys
Single- and double-bit safe keys
Most high-end safes use single- and double-bit safe keys (pictured). These look a bit like what you might call a Chubb key, though the double-bit keys have two blades.
Safe brands that use this type of key include Mauer, Lips, STUV, Burton, Chubbsafes, Chatwood Milner, Secureline, Lowe & Fletcher, Wittkopp, Rosengrens, Kromer, Walsall, Yale (sometimes) and many others.
How can I get a copy made?
In pretty much all cases, it’s possible to make copies from an existing key, e.g. if you bring or send it to us for copying.
There are other ways too:
- Keys to code: Some double-bit safe keys (especially those by Lowe & Fletcher) can be made from a code number that’s written on the key itself and/or on the key hole.
- Copying from a photo: Most of these keys (especially Mauer, STUV, Secureline, Lowe & Fletcher and Wittkopp safe keys) can be made simply by sending us a photo or two of your key. There’s no need to bring the actual key to us.
If you’re not sure whether your key is one we can do for you, please send us an email at team@metrolocks.co.uk, or give us a call on 020 7608 0809.
Single-bit safe key
Double-bit safe key
Yale-style side-cut safe keys
Many safes have Yale-style keys (flat keys with cuts on one side), especially Phoenix and Milner safes (see photo).
Often these keys have a short code number marked on them, usually only four or five digits. The number might also be written on the key hole. Most of the time, we can make copies from that number alone.
The most common side-cut safe keys are made by Milner and Phoenix (especially the Phoenix 2000 Datacare safe, the 2204 fireproof cabinet, and the Phoenix 2244 safe cabinet keys).
If your safe isn’t made by Milner or Phoenix, then don’t worry! We can cut loads of different types of Yale-style key.
Why not send us an enquiry?
A Yale-style side-cut safe key
Dimple safe keys
Another reasonably common type of safe key is the dimple key. These keys are flat and have several holes drilled into them (shown on the right).
The only common brand that makes safes with dimple keys is Phoenix. We can supply these keys; you can buy them on our We Love Keys website.
If you have a dimple key that’s not for a Phoenix safe, then let us know by sending us an enquiry.
A Phoenix safe dimple key
Tubular safe keys
The vast majority of budget safes and hotel-style safes are supplied with so-called tubular keys (pictured, along with the keyhole). These are barrel-shaped keys that are hollow on the inside.
The most common suppliers of tubular key safes are Yale, B&Q, Argos and Phoenix, though there are tonnes of different makes out there.
How can I get a copy made?
We can cut most tubular safe keys in one of three ways, all depending on the circumstances:
- Keys to code: If you have a Yale or a Phoenix tubular safe, then the chances are that we can make keys to the code number marked on the key and/or key hole of the safe.
- Keys to photo: We can very often ‘decode’ the key by looking at a few photos of your existing key. You can see the type of photos we’d need here. Send us some pictures and we’ll see what we can do. This process works especially well with Yale tubular safe keys.
- In-house copying: If we can’t do any of the above two things, then we can still most likely make a copy of your key if you bring or send it to our workshop.
In some cases we can do it from the code, in other cases we’d need your key here with us to copy. It’s best to email us a few pictures to team@metrolocks.co.uk.
A pair of tubular safe keys
This is what the keyhole usually looks like
Double-sided wafer keys
The last common type of safe key is the double-sided wafer key (see photo). This is a key similar to what you would find on a cash box or a filing cabinet.
Many small safes have wafer locks in them, especially B&Q safes, Wangtong, Sentry, Smith & Locke (aka SIL) safes and others.
How can I get a copy made?
On rare occasions (primaroly with Sentry safes) we can make these keys from the code number, but most commonly we can copy them from a photo. Send us a photo of your key to team@metrolocks.co.uk and we’ll see what we can do for you.
Double-sided safe keys
Not sure about your key? Just ask us!
We’re proud to be key-cutting experts, and we like to think we can answer any question about keys.
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