Keys? Who needs them? Well, pretty much everyone. You can’t deny that there are some ridiculously crowded key chains out there. It’s clear that [Robb] wanted to hit the other side of that spectrum when he started working on his latest multi-key project.
The term “multi-key” may be a little misleading as there are more than just keys on this tool. In addition to the bike lock, locker, work and house keys, there is a USB drive, bottle opener, screw driver and a couple of Allen wrenches. The side frames started out as part of an Allen key combo set; one not of the highest quality. The Allen keys started snapping off during use which left [Robb] with a set of otherwise useless side frames. These became the platform of which [Robb’s] project is based. Adding a couple new bolts, nuts and a few modified keys got him the rest of the way there. A lot of thought went into which items to put into this tool and [Robb] explains his thought process in his step-by-step instructions.
The simple nature and potential for customizing makes this a great utilitarian DIY project. Although this may not be Janitor worthy, it will certainly consolidate some of the bulk in our pockets.
Nice of him to supply us with good photos of his house and car keys. Not like this community is full of hackers with 3d printers and modeling skills.
Paranoid much? Locks are nothing more than a deterrent, if someone wants to break into your house or steal your car, a locked door isn’t going to stop them.
I thought about blurring them out, but anyone who can cut a key from a photo is more than capable of picking a 5 pin Schlage.
:-)
that’s neat. I wonder how the usb holds up in a slot with the extra weight on it. does it strain the connection? I wonder it this would work with a leatherman?
We have talked about this sort of thing on hackaday before. The consensus was putting car keys on something like this will make your ignition switch fail over time. Since USB connections are less robust, I would expect the same. I’d bet that it is the drive that fails before any port though. That is something I have seen firsthand when one was connected to a lanyard and it was pulled out by it. There was a very quiet click (or probably crack) and poof went the drive.
It’s been done. I’ve seen the key handles filed down and installed in baby multi-tools like this: http://www.instructables.com/id/Swiss-Army-Keys-Key-and-Leatherman-Mod/
The weight on the USB connection IS a concern, especially with the heft of the image in this article. USB specs do have some information about the required force able to withstand, which according to this: http://www.usb.org/developers/devclass_docs/CabConn20.pdf is 8 Newtons of force for a microUSB A; I havent been able to locate the matching information for a standard ‘A’ like that thumbdrive.
And followup: The CooKey, ImAKeys, etc don’t use a full proper USB ‘A’ end, so the heft is more of a concern because the plug doesn’t have the outer shielding metal to help hold it in place. I’ve loved mine, but I switched to the Kingston DataTraveler instead for my keychain thumbdrive. MUST smaller overall outline, but about twice the thickness of the LaCie options and the solid aluminium for a much better impression of strength and durability, AND it’s shorter, so if it hangs from a USB, the force isn’t so far away from the fulcrum holding it in place. Gravity gets less leverage.
Lock nuts make the assembly kinda permanent, it’d be a hassle if someone ever needed his house key.
or have a spare set.
It’s pretty nice if you’re sure your set of keys won’t change, but some modularity would really make it outstanding. Also, no spot for a lanyard?
But does the TSA let it fly?
I have the same thing for many years and was in European airlines pulled out 2/~10 times. I was always able to fly with it!
‘Advantages: High Torque for stubborn locks, especially U-locks ‘
That just made me cringe… high torque is not something I consider an advantage, ever tried removing a broken key?
Cheap U-locks that use the angle-wafer key style (that he has) have bound up on me and required significant force after little use, to the point of eventually shearing all their keys. I gave up on U-locks because of this, and now use a chain lock that uses a pin-tumbler key.
You need to lubricate your u-lock (with a dry lubricant, teflon, silicone, or graphite). You should never need to apply lots of force, no matter how cheap it is.
http://mykeyport.com/
I want someone to recreate or do better than this product. I’m really thinking of getting one because of how elegant it is.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bladekey/bladekeytm-bolt-open-source-pocket-key-organizer
I love it! My keys/pocket tools are going to get a new makeover. Thanks for sharing.
Something very similar called Key Smart got Kickstarted last year. I’ve been using their product for months: http://getkeysmart.com/
I do this with my keys, but just use a single bolt and locknut, stainless steel – found it at ace hardware, so my keys dont jingle. I don’t like to make noise when I walk
Think about what all that solidly screwed together metal weight will do to your expensive automotive ignition switch. Everything else about it is great, just not for car keys.
+1 I had a girlfriend who kept a change purse on her keychain. Eventually her poor Toyota would not start without just the right wiggle of the ignition.
I lost my keys for almost 4 years, they showed up right when they found Osama. Elated X2! The Navy issue flashlight was still good. Had to replace everything in the mean time.
Do not attach any work or hobby things to your keys! Keys only take a tiny bit of time to use and secure. Any session with a tool or light requires one to get into the task and the keys go along for the ride, really bad in a group work detail. No fun dropping your keys in the drink or an engine. Most of those multi-tools are hard on clothing and pocket linings. Definitely lighten up what’s on the keyring. I use 3 small rings held by a fourth, the 3 rings separate the work and home keys. It’s compact in the pocket but easy to finger sort in the dark with one hand.
$15 Bucks!? Excluding the keys I can get this for $2 at the dollar store. Still its handy.
http://kulcsosbicska.eu/
A hungarian rustíc type foldable keyholder.
If you have a 3d printer, look up the KeyBlade. If you don’t have one, look it up anyway, because they do custom orders in metal too.
Print one: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:98427
Really cool idea. I’ve got an Allen key set that would work really well for that, but doesn’t quite do what I need it too. Looks like I found my next project… unless I find something else to make first!
Does not look really convenient, and I’d break my key in less than a week with this thing attached.
It’s not bad though, if it works for you.
I think this is great! I have one I made about 6mo. ago just like it. I Live in Europe and I wanted to get aKeyport but the cost and differences in keys made it a no go. I added my big car key on one side and left me tons of room for a NFC door opener, a shopping cart slug (rental of cart) and other items. It is not the best soltion, but much cheaper than store bought and better than key rings.