Key Codes, Can they be reverse engineered? Options

[bbrock]

In the down time when I'm not chopping huge chunks of rested metal out of my car, I've been working on more fiddly tasks. Lately it has been cleaning and re-keying all of my locks. Dan (tweet) set me up with a new-to-me OEM ignition lock to replace the VW part installed by a PO, a new master key blank, and the right wafers to complete my matching lock set. He really went above and beyond what I expected making sure I was taken care of! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Now to the question. My original key is pretty worn and nicked up, so I'd like to have a good master cut from the code... which I don't have. I do know the tumbler sequence now. This old thread indicates the wafer sequence and key code are the same. If so, which direction is it read from?

Thanks.

[bandjoey]

Code is read shoulder to tip in a code book. Each tumbler will have 4-5 debths. (Can't remember how many). A real locksmith will look at a worn key and within 1-3 tries cut a new key for you.

[ChrisFoley]

Wafers are numbered 1-4.
Once you know the 10 digit sequence, someone with a digital key cutter can cut the profile in new keys without seeing the old key.
The only other data required by the machine is a code for old Porsche keys to set the spacing between cuts.

[bbrock]

Code is read shoulder to tip in a code book. Each tumbler will have 4-5 debths. (Can't remember how many). A real locksmith will look at a worn key and within 1-3 tries cut a new key for you.

That's what I needed. Thanks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) As I suspected, I wrote down my tumbler sequence exactly reverse of the code (tip to shoulder). FYI, there are 4 depths with #5 being the valet tumbler that doesn't count for the code.

Wafers are numbered 1-4.
Once you know the 10 digit sequence, someone with a digital key cutter can cut the profile in new keys without seeing the old key.
The only other data required by the machine is a code for old Porsche keys to set the spacing between cuts.

Exactly what I was hoping for Chris. Thanks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

In my case I have the old key and now the code. It's nice having a full set of locks working from one key. Owned 3 914s and never had this before. Well, the first one might have had matching locks but I only had the red valet key without knowing that's what it was. Now I just need to get the rust bucket repaired and reassembled so I have something to put my nice re-keyed locks into. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)