How do they get the correct size?

padwan · on April 23, 2013

Found the answer at http://shloosl.com/#more-tips

"For now, we accept only two types of keys. Chances are your house key is one of these."

ryan-c · on April 23, 2013

I assume they're supporting Schlage SC1 and Kwikset KW1 keys which fit the two most common types of five pin locks in the US.

Both of these keys have a pin coding - each of the five pins has a value from, IIRC, 1 to 9. With a little practice, one can decode keys visually in a few seconds, I can't imagine it being hard to write an image processing algorithm to do it.

EvanAnderson · on April 23, 2013

I think you're right on the money.

I've decoded keys that I've seen people carrying on rings on their belts (and, in many cases, the pin values are stamped right on the key). I don't carry keys where people can see them, but I'm a little bit paranoid. With the advent of this service it probably pays to be a bit more paranoid, since somebody could take a picture of your key, send $5, and get a copy w/o knowing anything about pins and tumblers.

ics · on April 23, 2013

I think I just found a new people-watching side hobby. Next on HN: Burgling across Brooklyn as hipster keychains "pic-pocketed" en-masse...

I'm really looking forward to when I get the time to rig up my door so I can use my yubikey instead. Much easier than all the metal keys I have to carry around now, and much less damaging to my pockets and belt-loops.

ryan-c · on April 24, 2013

I've actually seen 3D printable keys for KW1 and SC1 which accept the pin values as a parameter - I think it was on hackaday a few years ago.