How To Make an Emergency Spare Key

Dave Hax shows how to make an emergency spare key using a lighter, tape and a food can lid.

This tutorial shows you how to make a print of an original padlock key, and transfer it onto the lid of a food can. You can then cut out your own DIY spare key and use it to unlock your padlock. You might want to use pliers and safety gloves to do this project, and please be careful not to cut yourself.

Scott Beale
Scott Beale

Scott Beale founded Laughing Squid in 1995 in San Francisco and is currently based in New York City. When not running the blog, Scott can be found posting on Threads and sharing photos on Instagram.