Theoretically, (because this would never happen to me!), which is better if one were to loose their door/glove box key:

1. Buy a whole new set of locks (2 doors, 1 glove box, and 1 storage compartment)
OR
2. Find a really schnazzy locksmith who can take an imprint off the glove box lock and refashion a new key?

Is it possible to make a new door key off the glove box?!

Just curious of course... Umm, I mean a friend wants to know...

Anyone seen my key?

 

You can make an imprint of a key, but not of a lock mechanism...

 

A good locksmith can make a key from either of your locks. Bring him the glove box lock, go get a coffee and when you are done so will he.


Danny

 

Great! So now all I need to do is decide between black, black w sugar, cream, cream w sugar, latte, espresso, single, double, skinny, tall, grande, whipped cream, cinnamon, tip, no tip....

 

Sorry, can't help you with that.

 

The key codes are on the glove box lock. If you can read them you can just bring the codes to the locksmith and he will cut the keys. If not he will read the code and cut the key. It is not nuclear science. Ask him to write the code down for you so when you lose the key again you can get a new key cut easily.

 

Hey Red70, I didn't know it was that easy. Thanks millions for the advice! But wait a minute... Are you implying that I'd be so daft as to lose another set of keys!? No way mister!

Uh......i better grind two sets......

Seriously, thanks. That's some really good advice I'll be sure to take!

UPDATE:

For those of you who have lost your door key (at least on a 1978 Vette) you will have to do no less than REMOVE the lock from a door (acutally, gmjunkie's got a trick to make new keys, but I lack the skill!). It's either that or take the car to a locksmith who'll charge you a pretty penny to pull the lock themselves; for me, I'd rather do the work myself and trust the panels and such are handled correctly. There are some great threads on this forum that will help you accomplish this, from panel pull to lock removal and back again.
The problem with trying to use the glove box locks on a '78 is that they only have 4 of the 6 wafers (or tumblers) that the door key needs to fully engage and unlock your door. Therefore, the glove box lock will not work as a template for the doors. I looked and looked and found no codes on the locks themselves. I ended up removing the glove box lock [u]and[u], then the rear compartment lock, and lastly the door lock (which is all the locksmith needed). Some earlier Vettes probably have the codes printed on the glove box locks, but not on my '78.
The trickiest parts of the removal were removing the remote side mirror control toggle (small allen set screw), and the various tools/parts that attempt to go AWOL to the dark unkown of the bottom of your door frame. Strategically stuffing an old rag below your work space in the door will prevent alot of wasted time fishing out lost bits and pieces. Also, a couple long needle nose pliers or some hemostats are super helpful- unless you have the hands of a racoon.
I was happy to pull the driver's side lock as I had to make an adjustment to an hornery door handle anyway. Good Luck!
Rich
ps- it is a good piece of advice from Red70 to have the locksmith write down what code the key needs once they figure it out- that'll save you from pulling the lock the next time you lose your key!