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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sometimes Sacramento, Most of the time Concord, CA
Posts: 185
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Are Steel Keys that Bad?
Hey all, I got a steel key blank for my 944 and I went through 4 different locksmiths/keymakers before I found one who could cut it.
The thing is, each of them told me that a steel key is not good for the tumblers for my locks and ignition because almost all tumblers are brass. They said the key would wear them out pretty fast. Come to think of it, until now, i've never had a steel key........... What do you guys think?
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1987 944 Naturally Animalistic "If you make the same mistake twice, doesn't that make a total of three mistakes?" |
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06-28-2006, 01:49 PM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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I don't exactly live in a big, city, but I've had all of my blanks cut at the local locksmith.
I did once get: "What kind of Porsche do you have?" when I took in a generic blank...but they've never said anything about wearing out tumbles...and they would.
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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06-28-2006, 03:07 PM
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Writer/Teacher
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The problem I had when I needed a 944 key cut was that thestore would only cut keys from THEIR blanks just to be on the safe side
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Current Stable: Black 07 Porsche 987 Cayman S: Long-Tube Headers; FabSpeed Exhaust; VividRacing ECU Tune; IPD Plenum; 997GT3 Throttle Body. Blue 1983 Porsche 928S. 1985.5 Porsche 944 Rat Rod. 2011 Acura MDX. 2008 Mazda 3. Gone But Not Forgotten:Garnet Red 86 Porsche 951("The Purple Pig"). Alpine White 83 Porsche 944 ("Alpine Wolf"). Guards Red 84 Porsche 944. |
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06-28-2006, 03:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boston
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can you please explain your quote its rather confusing, because you make the mistake and then you make it again, whats the logic that makes it three mistakes.
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-Silver 85/2 944- |
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06-28-2006, 03:45 PM
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Quote:
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06-28-2006, 04:26 PM
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Ornery Bastard
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: South Sound
Posts: 2,879
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Quote:
And to explain the logic: Action 1: A mistake. Action 2 (repeat of action 1): A mistake (#2). Repeating Action 1 after knowing that it didn't work: Mistake #3. As far as the steel key bit goes, I don't know how much of an issue that is since I don't know for sure what the tumblers in Porsche locks are made of.
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--------- Silver 1998 Volvo S70 T5 <- Daily (Anja) Guards Red 1986 951 <- Seattle car (Gretchen) White 1976 914 2.0 F.I. <- Prodigal car, traded away then brought back again (Lorelei) |
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06-28-2006, 08:11 PM
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It would make sense that the softer of the two metals would wear. I would go with an original key and not risk it myself. Parts are just too expensive.
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Tom 1990 944S2 Cabriolet 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 2003 Maroon Ford F350 dually |
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06-28-2006, 08:54 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Newburgh, NY
Posts: 47
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Well I would have to believe the locksmith knows what he is talking about. Did he have a replacement key for you?
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86 944 some assembly required! |
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06-29-2006, 04:54 AM
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Mein Gott!
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Wait a minute - OE keys are steel, right?
Don't let those locksmiths bombard you with $0.02 expertise in this case. I once took a key blank from the local dealer to a mom & pop hardware store and they did it in 10 minutes for a grand total of fifty cents.
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Johnny 1987 944S 1984 944 (R.I.P.) 1972 Triumph TR6 - 100% trouble free between breakdowns 2003 BMW 325xi |
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06-29-2006, 06:56 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sometimes Sacramento, Most of the time Concord, CA
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yah, see that's what I was thinking......why would OE Keys be steel if they were so bad for our cars.....don't tell me I paid 45 bucks just to mess up my locks!!!!!
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1987 944 Naturally Animalistic "If you make the same mistake twice, doesn't that make a total of three mistakes?" |
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06-29-2006, 01:19 PM
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winter-hater club member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: salt lake city, utah
Posts: 24,705
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the thing that REALLY wears the tumblers out is having a CF of keys hanging from the ignition. i have ONE key on the key ring i use for the ignition.
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2000 Corvette - ????, 2007 Buell XB9R - Astrid, 1996 Discovery - Piglet, 2000 Forester "COOL PRIUS!" - Nobody Ever |
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06-29-2006, 07:12 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,554
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i've got two - one for the ignition, one for the alarm.
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Kyle 2008 Mini Cooper // '83 Porsche 944 // '01 Mazda Protege [sold] // "Never break more than you fix!" - SoCal Driver |
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06-29-2006, 07:36 PM
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Super Moderator
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the OE keys are steel, and the locksmith is giving you b.s.
the REAL reason they don't like to cut steel keys is because it wears out THEIR CUTTER, not your tumblers.
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'89 turbo-s (2.7, wolf3d ems, garrett dbb turbo, tial 46mm, etc. fast!) |
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06-29-2006, 10:51 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sometimes Sacramento, Most of the time Concord, CA
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whew, well that's that....so what do I use to lubricate my locks, it seems they need it anywa\y......graphite or a certain kind of grease?
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1987 944 Naturally Animalistic "If you make the same mistake twice, doesn't that make a total of three mistakes?" |
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06-30-2006, 09:28 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,554
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i just used a shot of wd40... worked great..
I'm sure graphite would work too...
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Kyle 2008 Mini Cooper // '83 Porsche 944 // '01 Mazda Protege [sold] // "Never break more than you fix!" - SoCal Driver |
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06-30-2006, 09:39 AM
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Super Moderator
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2nd wd40
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'89 turbo-s (2.7, wolf3d ems, garrett dbb turbo, tial 46mm, etc. fast!) |
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06-30-2006, 01:06 PM
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2007 Porsche Cayman S
The Viridian Falcon
SOLD! -- The Purple Pig
SOLD! -- Mighty Mouse
SOLD!! -- Alpine Wolf
