How to Make a Metal Key With a 3D Printer

Have you ever wondered if it was possible to 3D Print a functional key? Well, it is and I can assure you that it works just fine. I would not use it as a main key, but it is great to print a few spare keys to your room, office or house. Save your key on a usb stick or cloud drive and print it anywhere!

Download OpenScad here for your operating system. If you've never used or heard of OpenScad before, it is a great way to create customizable parametric models. This means that I could give an OpenScad model to someone with zero modeling experience and that can modify it just by changing a few numbers.

First, download the Kwikset KW1 or the Schlage SC1 file depending on the key you want to print. These models were created by Nirav Patel. Open the file in OpenScad and change the last line of the code by entering in the key code of the lock. Your key may have the key code written on the side, but if not you can measure the key cuts and compare the numbers here.

Compile the program and then export the file to an stl that you can print.

If you don't have access to a 3D Printer, you can use 3D Hubs to find a local 3D Printer near you.

I have an old manual key cutter I got from a surplus store. If you don't have access to a key cutter, take your plastic key to your local hardware store and they will make a copy for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read my instructable. I hope you found it useful and informative. If you really liked it, please consider voting for me in the Epilog VIII, 3D Printing, and Arduino contests.

Let me know if you have any questions about my project.

Thanks,

Anthony (Proto G)