Wafer Lock Reading

by:

Jake Jakubuwski
Many thanks to many folks for the help they gave me while I developed this presen-
tation. A special thanks to: Dean Nickel, Seth Pehr and Pete Gamble for their con-
tributions, advice, critiques and encouragement. Dean: Thanks for the graphics and
info. Seth: Great cutaway. Pete: You are a master, my friend.
Jake Jakubuwski, August 2007

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski, all rights reserved.

“Any sufficiently
advanced
technology is
indistinguishable
from magic.”
Arthur C. Clarke

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

My favorite paraphrase
of Mr. Clark’s truism:
“Any technology,
sufficiently advanced,
is black magic to the
uninitiated!”

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Don’t let a lack of
knowledge and
information re-
garding wafer
reading cost you
money…
Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.
Wafer reading
is not a magic
trick. It is an
acquired,
valuable and
practical
skill!

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

And…
It is a skill you
can learn with just
a little effort.
Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.
But first:
You need to understand
a little about wafer locks,
how they operate and
what some of the
variations are…

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

A wafer lock is any lock that has wafers
(sometimes called “discs” or “disc-
tumblers” rather then pins.
Wafer locks can be found on desks,
furniture, filing cabinets, automobiles, tool
boxes, truck handles, mobile homes,
industrial machinery, office equipment,
freezers, screen doors and in dozens of
other applications …

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The montage
to the right is
only a small
sampling of
the variety of
wafer locks.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

“Cam” locks, like the one
shown to the right, will be
the most common type of
wafer lock you will be called
on to service.
Many of these locks have
only an “up” and a “down”
configuration.
Which means that you have
to select the cam that will
give you the locking
configuration you want.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Courtesy: Fort Lock

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Better quality cam locks
will give you four key
positions; which gives
you more leeway in how
you install the lock.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

You also need to know
that there are different
types of wafers that
offer different levels of
security …

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

The wafer to the right is a “standard”

wafer. This wafer (See Arrows) is square
cut on the corners and has no radius on
the top or the bottom of the wafer.
Anyone want to tell me the “value” of the
wafer? That is: What would the cut on the
key be in order for this wafer to be
brought to the shear line?

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The “radiused” wafer shown to the
right was designed to turn more
freely in the housing. The radius at
the top and the bottom of the wafer
conformed more closely to the
curvature of the lock housing.
Many of these wafers have the
numbers on them. With or without
numbers, they are easy to read.

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The “Undercut” wafer offers more
security then the “regular” or
radiused wafer.
Note: The double arrows point to
the “undercuts” that give the
wafer its name.
The solid arrows point to the top
and bottom radiuses that help the
plug turn more freely in the
cylinder housing.

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Another style of wafers are the
serrated wafers. Serrated wafers
serve a similar purpose as the
undercut wafers do. These particular
wafers were used mainly in the high-
security automotive field. Note the
thickness of the wafer compared to
“normal” wafers shown earlier.
High security automotive wafers are
generally sturdier then normal wafers
used in the automotive field.
Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved .

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

A BMW wafer lock. Notice the “serrations”. In the inset, you can see
that there are four undercuts on the wafer to increase pick resistance

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Split wafers (Also know as Half Wafers) allowed for more complex
keying in locks such at the Mercedes 4-track Sidewinder locks.
Look at the wafers carefully (Note the bottom and top “foot” of the
wafer and you can see how they can be “read” like any other wafer
lock; although the key generation would require special machinery.,

These drawings were

taken from the graphics
of the old ASP A-21-100
Combo Kit for Mercedes.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Note the “internal” ear on this
wafer. This wafer is one of
many specialty wafers that can
be found. The lock is an MLM
and requires a sidewinder type
key.
The wafers can be easily read
(as you can see in the
photograph) but key blanks
are restricted and require
special cutting machinery.
These locks are pickable.

Photograph courtesy of Seth Pehr.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 This photograph is also
from Seth Pehr’s
collection.

Should you encounter one of these locks

in the field you may not be able to
generate a key for it.
Therefore, your options are to replace it
with a different lock or contact Seth Pehr
at:

[email protected]

Side note: On a personal level, I do not know anyone who has the
depth and breadth of knowledge regarding furniture and cam locks
that Seth does. He’s a true professional and I’m proud to call him my
friend. If you have a furniture or cam lock problem; Seth is the “Go-
to Guy!”

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Master wafers in a wafer lock work just
like master pins in a pin tumbler lock:
they allow more than one key to operate
the lock.
In the photograph to the right, the
master key would operate with the “flat”
of the blade to the right and the change
key would operate with the blade to the
left.
In a lock like this the wafers would have
dual depth values. Example:

4/3 – 4/2 – 4/1 -1/4

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 NOTE: Master keying a wafer lock is a
convenience only!

A 4/3 wafer would give you a 4 to the left and a 3 to the right.
A 4/2 wafer would give you a 4 to the left and a 2 to the right.
A 4/1 wafer would give you a 4 to the left and 1 to the right.
1/4 wafer would give you a 1 to the left and a 4 to the right.
Master-keyed wafer locks come in 4, 5 and six wafer versions.
Obviously, the more “chambers” available the more combinations
available. Even with the most possible combinations available these
locks are mastered only for convenience.
The following slide shows a few of CompX-National’s key selection.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

In addition to special
wafers, “Master Keying” a
wafer lock requires
“matched” keys. The next
slide shows a few National
offerings available.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Courtesy: CompX National

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The commonality that joins
each of these wafer locks
to the others, in their
various applications, is that
they each can be read by
viewing their position in the
plug when looking down
the keyway.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Here’s another
variation of a wafer
lock:
The wafer/side bar
lock. Most of us be-
came familiar with
side bar locks
through working on Coutesy; Dean Nickel

the old GM six cut

ignitions.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The side bar wafer lock was invented by GM in 1935. This lock’s wafers
were all the same size and shape. They had a notch in the side of each
wafer that corresponded to the depth of the cut on the key.
This lock’s wafers could not be read by looking at the wafers through
the keyway.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The illustration above shows the old GM wafer
ignition lock. These wafers cannot be read
through the keyway. The illustration to the
right shows the GM lock in the “unlocked
position.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Later evolutions of this lock
appeared on GM’s Saturns. That
lock was a wafer/plus side bar
and the wafers could be read
through the keyway.
GM had some problems with this
configuration and discontinued
it in the mid-to-late 90’s.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

This Saturn wafer configuration permits reading the wafers through the
keyway. This type lock was withdrawn due to “problems” with the
design causing the #1 wafer to jam. Leastwise that’s the information
I’ve been able to unearth.

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The wafer-plus-sidebar lock has, to
my knowledge, only been found
within the confines of the
automotive industry. Specifically in
GM products.
I mention it here for no other
reason the to make you aware of
the variety of wafer locks that you
might encounter while reading
wafers.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Also, wafer reading automotive locks is
a quick and profitable way to generate
keys on many makes and models of
cars.
Wafer reading automotive locks can be
as important a tool in your “arsenal” of
tricks and procedures as any other tool,
reader or mechanical device you may
use to generate keys for vehicles …
including motor cycles and four-
wheelers.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Let’s take a short break!

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Let’s take a closer
look at the world of
wafer reading and
how it works.
Believe me, it is a
simple, fast and
effective way of
generating keys. Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Obviously, every wafer lock
cannot be read …
Even more apparent is the fact
that there are dozens upon
dozens of wafer locks in the
field that you CAN read!
Why not take the easy way out
– and learn to read wafers?

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Here is an isometric
drawing of the overall
components of a
wafer lock.
Simple and
understandable.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 This is a standard wafer
configuration that is relatively
easy and straight forward to
read. It is the type of wafer
reading you will most likely do.
The combination on this lock is
1-3-3-2-2. The lock is a push
type cabinet lock made by ILCO
and uses a N54G blank.
You can see the #1 wafer and
the first #3 wafer. You can easily
see that there are no wafers
deeper then a #3 in this lock.
Image copyright by: Jake Jakubuwski, 2007. All rights reserved.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The following slide shows
you the mechanics that allow
you to read the wafers in a
cam lock, refrigerator lock,
automotive lock with few
exceptions.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

The wafers are at “rest”. No key. Wafers prevent plug from turning.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The wafers “lock” the plug when the key is
removed and the wafers fall below (or rise
above) one of the shear lines …

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

If you had the
plug out of the
cylinder, this is
what the
wafers would
look like when
“at rest”.
Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

If you look down the
keyway (with no key
in the plug) you can
see how the wafers
line up.
By reading the
wafers you would
determine that the
“cuts” for a working
key would be:

1-3-4-2 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

This is how real wafers in
a real cylinder would look
as you looked down the
keyway. In this case the
combination is a simple:

1 – 2 – 3- 4
Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The “blue” wafer is the first
wafer you can see and is a
“1”. The “red” wafer is the
second wafer you can see
and is a “3”. The “yellow”
wafer is the third wafer you
can see and is a “4”.
Wafer “2” is hidden behind
the “4” and cannot be seen
without lifting the other
three wafers out of the way.
Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

NOTE: On many wafer locks a
number 1 wafer is a no-cut.

In the illustration to the left, the number

1 wafer is actually a “no-cut”.
If you read a wafer as a 1, your code
program should give you the proper
cut.. If you’re impressioning a key,
always assume a “no-cut” when you
read a “1” unless the blank marks when
you insert it to try your other cuts…

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Let’s take that one step
at a time. You read from
front to back. But here,
we’re going to show the
read in reverse for
clarity.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

Wafer #3 (to the left) goes in front of wafer #4 (to the right)

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

This shows wafer #3 in front of wafer #4. Remember we’re going back to front.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

Wafer #2 goes over, or in front of, wafer #3

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

Then wafer #1 is placed in front of wafer #2

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Image Copyright 2007 by: Jake Jakubuwski

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

Key is inserted, aligns the wafers and allows the plug to turn.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Insert the key, align the wafers and
turn the plug. It’s that easy.

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuws07ki, 2007

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image copyright by Jake Jakubuws07ki, 2007

With the key inserted, the wafers align

and the plug is free to rotate …

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

This represents the wafer configuration in a single-sided key cam lock.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

When “reading” the wafers in a single-sided

cylinder; simply look straight down the key-way
and determine the cuts for the individual wafers.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

This represents the wafer configuration on a double-sided cam lock.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

Graphic courtesy of Dean Nickel

When reading the wafers in a double-sided cam/wafer lock, you have to

read both “top” and “bottom” (Or, “left” and “right”) wafers depending on
how the cylinder is oriented.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Image copyright by Jake Jakubuws07ki, 2007

If your eye sight is good, you can read the wafers without the
aid of a scope. However, even a low-cost otoscope can make
the job of reading wafers easier.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 If your eyesight is less then
perfect, an otoscope can help
you read the wafers

An otoscope sort of takes the main strain and

aggravation away from the squinting and poor light
situations.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

A good quality otoscope can cost
over $200.
An otoscope like the “Dr.MOM”
below can be had for under $30.00.
The DrMOM scope can give you all
the light and magnification you need
to read wafer locks.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

If you were to try to
read this wafer (with or
without a scope) you
would be able to see
the first three wafers.
But the third wafer
would block your view
of the fourth wafer.
That’s when you need a
wafer reading tool.
Image copyright by Jake Jakubuws07ki, 2007

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

A wafer reading tool allows you to lift individual wafers
so you can see what’s behind them. Peterson makes a
nice selection of wafer readers and Bob Sieveking of
Sieveking products has a good’un.

Peterson

Sieveking

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Okay!
Let’s read a real wafer lock.

(I’ve taken the plug out of the housing and cut away portions of it
for our reading convenience in this presentation)

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

The
wafers
at rest.

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

I also
removed
the face of
the plug.

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Then, I cut away even more of the
plug to expose the wafers in their
chambers and “open” our view a
little. You improve your view
looking down the keyway with a
scope.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Here it is!
Main Street,
USA!
What’s the
combination?

Image copyright by Jake Jakubuwski, 2007

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Yes! 1 – 2 – 3 – 4!
This is a four wafer lock. If it were a five wafer and
you could not see another wafer beyond the fourth
wafer; you would KNOW that the fifth wafer is
smaller then a four. So – you get out your reading
tool and depress the other wafers until you can see
the fifth one.
Or, you simply progress the fifth position with your
file or on your code machine.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Tip:
A Pippin file and a small assortment of key blanks will allow you to
“cut” the majority of wafer lock keys “on-the-spot” without having to
run back to the truck and your code machine. Saving time makes you
money. Practice “impressioning” and save lots of time.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Tip:

A small assortment of cam locks,

desk locks, and a wafer kit or two can
be invaluable to you when you’re on
the job and it has to be done “Right
Now!”

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

 Tip:
Some common wafer lock key blanks
are:
Y-11, Y-12, Y-13, Y-14, IN8, NA 6, CG-
17, 1045 G, CG1, L10VN (SIMPLEX)
RO1 and others. In your area there
may be other “favorites”. Having
them on hand saves you time.

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Learn to read wafers …
Earn more because you
know more …

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.

Go for it!

Copyright, 2007 by Jake Jakubuwski. All rights reserved.