How to Duplicate Keys in 5 Minutes Without Spending a Cent

Losing or forgetting your keys inside your home is a situation that can quickly become stressful. Calling a locksmith? Expensive and not always quick. Fortunately, there are ingenious solutions for making a duplicate key at home, without spending anything!
A handyman’s tip: the key with a piece of can

Got an empty can? Good news! With a little patience and precision, you can make a working duplicate key in just a few minutes.

Materials needed:
A soda can or can
of canned food Clear tape
A lighter or
candle Scissors
Steps to follow:
Heat the original key with a lighter until it is covered in soot.
Apply a piece of tape to the blackened part to transfer the imprint.
Cut out a piece of can (previously cleaned and flattened).
Glue the imprint to the can, then carefully cut out the shape of the key.
Test the duplicate in the lock by gently inserting it.

Note: This trick works mostly on simple locks, such as padlocks or locked boxes.

A smart alternative: the plastic card key

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