2025-10-27 – Weekly Locksmith News : Offset dimples in keys explained

Last week in the locksmith forum, members engaged in detailed conversations ranging from the intricacies of dimple key designs to the fascinating history of locksmithing. There was a notable interest in sharing personal journeys into the locksmith profession, highlighting various entry points into the field. Discussions also tackled the essential skills required for modern locksmiths, providing valuable insights for both newcomers and seasoned professionals.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Why some dimple keys have offset dimples
This thread delves into the functional reasons behind offset dimples in keys, sparking discussions among professionals about their experiences and insights.
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2025-10-16 – Weekly Locksmith Jobs : Flexible locksmith roles available
Explore the latest job opportunities with flexible roles that cater to different skill levels and specializations within the locksmithing industry.
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SFIC tip-stop trivia
Dive into the nuances of SFIC systems with this trivia, where community members share lesser-known facts and techniques.
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FAQ/Guidelines
A must-read for newcomers, this guide outlines the forum’s expectations and how to make the most of the community.
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Admin Guide: Getting Started
For those stepping into admin roles, this guide offers a comprehensive starting point for managing locksmith forums effectively.
Read more here

How Did You Get Your First Locksmith Job?
A walk down memory lane as members recount their first steps into the locksmithing world, sharing tips and anecdotes.
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Essential Skills Every Locksmith Should Have
Whether you’re new or experienced, this discussion covers the core skills that every locksmith should master.
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Famous Locks and Security Systems
Explore the stories behind some of the most iconic locks and security systems throughout history.
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History of Locksmithing
A fascinating journey through the evolution of locksmithing, from ancient times to the modern era.
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Strangest Locks You’ve Encountered
Members share their experiences with unusual and intriguing locks they’ve come across in their careers.
Read more here


Looking forward to another week of engaging discussions. Keep sharing your knowledge and experiences!

1 Like

“Essential Skills Every Locksmith Should Have” — calibrating your dimple decoder for offset rows is one of them. Offset dimples bit me last week: if you don’t zero off the shoulder and account for a 0.3–0.5 mm row shift, your readings are garbage, , so I scribe a centerline and verify with a quick 1.5 mm ball-end mill test dimple before cutting. Caveat: some budget blanks drift by about 0.2 mm, so I recheck with calipers instead of trusting the stamp.

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Quick example: I started keeping a $25 USB microscope at the bench; on any key with an “offset row” I mark the head’s offset side with a paint dot and clamp it the same way for every pass, which stopped my inner-track drift. If you don’t have a scope, a light pencil rub will still reveal the stagger, but be gentle on chrome-plated blanks to avoid smearing.

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I quit shoulder-zeroing on offset dimples: I slide a 0.20 mm feeler gauge blade against the inner ward and index the decoder off that — adds about 20 seconds and killed my row drift. On tapered wards I drop to 0.15 mm or clamp in jaw B to keep the bow square, per the “offset row” quirks @LockDocSam mentioned. A $5 auto-aisle gauge set is plenty.

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