Caretaker

Ok here it goes. this is probably the first DIY i have ever done.

What is this JDM key?

These were one of the crazy modifications frequent with crazy drifters and racers in Japan



I did this out of boredom since I am home on a Friday night (thanks CRIS for reminding me about those keys and giving me an idea how this was pulled off)

So i decided to just do it.

Here's what you need

1 small screwdriver (you can get them at ACE hardware)
1 car key (preferably a duplicate with a plastic head, you will throw that head away anyway.)

1 gas stove
2 pairs of pliers (you will be using this the whole time.)



Here are the 2.



Use the pliers to hold the screwdriver up the stove, in my case i just decided to hold it bare handed since i did not want to scratch the screw driver handle.

How would know if you were doing the right thing? Just until the screwdriver glows a faint red, you will notice the handle to smoke quite a bit (careful! it is quite hot too.)

Once it smokes a little get the pliers and grab the screwdriver bit and pull it out.

Don't worry you will be able to pull it out.



Here it is removed.

Next up is the car key, since we are using the duplicate, no need to worry about destroying your original car key.



You can do this like how we pulled the driver bit off but i decided to just burn the plastic key head off since it will be worthless after the DIY. Make sure you hold the key's metal part using your pliers.



After all the plastic have burned off and melted try to remove the burnt plastic using a second set of pliers. make sure you strip it clean.

Here comes the tricky part.

Since we now have the handle and the key separated already, we need to merge the 2.

Since you still have the key held by the pliers heat it again on the stove a little bit longer until it reaches the faint red glow.

When it gets red hot, get the screwdriver handle and merge it with the key, make you have it centered and gently place it in, once you have it centered. Run it over cold running water for it to cool down.

Here's how it looked like after.



Key engaged.



Yeah I know you won't be able to use your keychain anymore, you can still use it though. I still have to drill some holes into the handle so that i can place a metal strap on it to still use the keychains.

Still looks a little bit rough, i still have to clean it up. I will add a picture after I sand down a bit.

got myself a self tapping screw
here's mine again



Thank you
Come again!

honda_racing101

Thats cool! I wouldn't want a big *** screwdriver head in my pocket all the time.

Hehe I'm going to do this to all three of my brothers f150 keys without telling him.

HitF8

why??? not haten just wondering why??

neoc03

Nice job on the writeup. I wouldn't see the point in having one, but good writeup.

I'll just stick with mine fow now.

EJ1 LS guy

Might bite....no lie

rarrior23

Definitely unique.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by honda_racing101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats cool! I wouldn't want a big *** screwdriver head in my pocket all the time.

Hehe I'm going to do this to all three of my brothers f150 keys without telling him.</TD></TR></TABLE>

But like he said, might be pretty bulky in the pocket.

CB

BLUIZE256

I dont get it.. what is the point of having a screwdriver handle on your key??
crazy drifter ideas. .

89s1

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BLUIZE256 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont get it.. what is the point of having a screwdriver handle on your key??
crazy drifter ideas. .</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats to get. It's neat and different.

for the idea, but theres no way in hell i'd rock that monstrosity in my pocket all day.

BLUIZE256

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 89s1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Whats to get. It's neat and different.

for the idea, but theres no way in hell i'd rock that monstrosity in my pocket all day. </TD></TR></TABLE>

this is what i dont get.. keys are a pain in the *** to have to carry around in a pocket or so on to begin with.. but now your gonna go and cause a larger pain in the *** for yourself by putting it on a screwdriver handle?? I mean, for a spare key. . maybe, at least you would'nt lose it. Just not for an everyday thing. . .

Pat McGroin

The ones shown in the snap-on packages are actually small, I ordered one from some guy in Cali that had a few of them, you can only get them through snap-on of Japan. Snap On USA can not order them even though I had the part number.

I have another one I made from an actual Snap-On screwdriver, that ones big, but that one's a spare.

The real ones also have a small hex bolt in it to put tension on the key.

Ill take comparo pics later.

BLUIZE256

i would def. like to see one of the pics of the real ones

Pat McGroin

Heres a pic of one I was going to convert but decided to keep it as is because I found the real ones for sale. Another place you can find the real ones are on yahoo japan auctions. They go for about 30 bucks.

Easily a third of the size and not bulky at all. I have had it for over a year, and just recently the keychain popped off.

HRTuning

I'd hate to get pulled over in a Honda with a "screw driver" sticking out of my ignition. Even after you show the cop that it's really a key I guarantee he's going to run ALL of your information and take his time doing so.

Nice writeup, nevertheless. Definitely different.

mar778c

iTrader: (1)

Exactly, what I was thinking.

Flashmn

and if you have an immobilizer chip in the key, doing this will definately cause problems starting the car. Not to mention the "screwdriver in lock" issue with the cops.

Pat McGroin

There might be confusion for like 10 seconds until you showed the cop what it was.

I never had any trouble.

siregcivic

when i bought my 95 hatchie it had the snapon head with the key in it...

it tripped me out i was like wtf? if i get pulled over and the cop sees a screwdriver in the ignition hes gonna **** a brick, so i just got an oem key made for my car

PphamEK

nice write up, wounder if any1 used a ***** as a shifter *** lol

mattyrocks785

sorry to bring up an old thread but they actually make 2 different ones. idk if theres just a difference with the quick release or if its a size difference too but i think its BOTH. one is smaller without quick release and the bigger one has a quick release.

torqen2k1

Thats kinda unique, but "wow what big thing you got in your pocket."

madblkscientist

espeacially here in miami driving a honda is grounds for suspicion

rick_rabies

UPDATE** I MADE ANOTHER

plus iv hav orderd a switchblade comb and a real switchblade. im going to make a switchblade key
http://www.uniqueblade.com/ would realy like to make a OTF stilleto key knife though