The Lock-Picking Lawyer reviews the TAG 5 Industries Fifth Generation LA Compression Light Box, a tool designed for lock impressioning. The product's creator, Russell, is a former covert entry specialist with a multi-generational locksmithing background. The light box is a portable, wearable device that uses colored LEDs to highlight impression marks on a key blank, making it easier to see the marks. It also features a light discipline design to minimize light spillage.
The Lock-Picking Lawyer demonstrates the product's use, but due to his inexperience with lock impressioning, he invites Russell to take over and show the proper technique. Russell explains the process of setting up the key blank, using the light box to identify marks, and filing the key to create a working key.
The product is highly praised for its build quality, innovation, and effectiveness in making lock impressioning easier and more accessible. However, it comes with a high price tag of $480, making it a significant investment for locksmiths and enthusiasts.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The product being discussed is called the Light Box, a lock compression tool made by TAG 5 Industries.
2. The Light Box is designed to be worn around the user's neck, with a lanyard and a magnifying lens to examine key marks.
3. The Light Box has two different color LEDs, orange and blue, which were specifically selected to highlight impression marks on keys.
4. The orange LEDs work best for brass keys, while the blue LEDs are better for nickel silver keys.
5. The Light Box is designed with light discipline in mind, with plastic flaps that help keep the light in.
6. Russell, the owner of TAG 5 Industries, is an Australian who comes from a multi-generational family of locksmiths.
7. Russell was trained in the craft of locksmithing from a young age and later worked as a covert entry specialist in government service.
8. Key impressioning is a technique used to create a working key without ever having the original key.
9. The process of key impressioning involves using a key blank and filing it down to create a working key.
10. The Light Box is designed to make key impressioning easier, especially in the field, by providing a portable and discreet way to examine key marks.
11. Russell demonstrates how to use the Light Box to impression a key, using a Kryptonite KS 82 padlock.
12. The demo shows how to set up the key blank, file the key, and use the Light Box to examine the marks on the key.
13. Russell emphasizes the importance of proper technique and attention to detail when impressioning a key.
14. The Light Box comes with a case, but it is not an inexpensive product, listing for $480.
15. The product is designed for professional locksmiths and may not be worth the cost for casual users.