Key Organization

oceans

oceans

Been here much more than a while
Location
RI
I suppose I could poke around online about this, but I’d rather hear from you all that may be in a similar boat as myself…owner operator, multiple trucks and their associated boxes, equipment, shop and its associated boxes, trailers, tongue locks, company padlocks, it just doesn’t end.

- One big ring is too much.
- Key connections for those that need to come off get bulky.
- Separate rings means you might leave a needed one behind.

Just looking for anything that might be useful for managing so many!

Thanks!
 
Solo operator, no employees, 3 trucks depending on the task. I keep all of my equipment on a trailer that can be towed by any of the trucks. Mini skid keys stay in the ignition unless the equipment is left on site which is rare.

Each truck has a copy of the toolbox keys, so there's no chance of forgetting to bring a key.

Making as many toolboxes use the same key as possible helps to reduce clutter

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If you want to invest some money, you can buy build able locks with interchangeable cores. I was in charge of building locks as part of my previous job. The advantage of this is building a system that allows access to certain individuals to certain items if needed (probably not a crucial element in this industry unless each employee gets their own lockbox) but also you can build in master keys. You can have an A lock, B lock, and C lock that all use different leys, but as the owner you carry a master key that unlocks each of them, reducing the number of keys that you need.

This would be for the shop entrance, office, and anywhere that you could incorporate a padlock. I doubt you could find ignition systems with interchangeable cores for trucks and equipment.


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For cylinder locks, check out RV storage cover locks. Every one of them has the same key-751, unless it has been upgraded. If you own an RV / travel trailer, you own a key that will open every other RV / travel trailer storage hatch. They all use the same lock, and there is only one key for all of them out there-751. Just don't take that knowledge and go on a RV storage space robbing spree.
 
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If no one comes up with a solution that will work for you find a locksmith. My guess is that there are 'smiths that are just as switched on about their gig as we are about trees.

I just had an idea that HAS to be old hat. Keyless card locks and ignition the same arrangement as hotel doors or cashier scan/swipe/tap.

Another...Hey Siri...unlock this door...start this truck...access code 12345 Retinal scan...thumb print
 
Tom Dunlap said:
If no one comes up with a solution that will work for you find a locksmith. My guess is that there are 'smiths that are just as switched on about their gig as we are about trees.

I just had an idea that HAS to be old hat. Keyless card locks and ignition the same arrangement as hotel doors or cashier scan/swipe/tap.

Another...Hey Siri...unlock this door...start this truck...access code 12345 Retinal scan...thumb print
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I just called my local locksmith tonight for help. I will definitely raise these questions with him.

@Jehinten , I am not far off from what you’ve stated in both posts and it’s still a lot of different keys. And like @chiselbit said, one little slip up and it can become an issue. Part of my problem is just the keychain feeling like a nuisance and I just have to get past that.
 
If your interested in it, this is the system that we used. https://www.bestaccess.com/ They provide hands on training and a computer program that track different cores in your system so they can be rebuilt later, as well as a calculator to determine how to build a lock to be accessed by only certain keys.

I can only imagine that start up cost would be extremely high, but it should be relatively cheap to maintain.

As a testament to their products, we used these locks at a psych center that housed patients around the clock. I can't imagine they'd see more abuse at your shop than ours did.

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chiselbit said:
Just drove 45 minutes to a job the other day to pick up the excavator,, which was locked and the key was in my saw pants at home. Key management has been on my mind lately too.
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Tape an extra key on a hidden spot on the frame.

Mostly, I work within 5-10 minutes of my shop.

Changeable combo padlocks on my shop doors, service body truck's security bars, and for chaining up equipment onsite, rarely.

I have a pretty secure market 95%+ of the time.
 
After that incident I put a spare on my truck key ring but I’m with oceans on the whole big buncha keys on one ring. Too many. And looking at the ring I have keys on there that I have no idea what they are for now. I’m sure it’s important otherwise they wouldn’t be there but I really need to engrave each key as it goes on a ring to avoid this in future.
 
My friend who retired used a chase truck. What I describe as a truck that goes to every job with saws and gear. This truck also carried a round tupperware container with screw on top. All keys were kept in there. Assorted keys on their rings with tags. Made it hard to forget a key.

At home/shop, a board with nails hung up helps with organization. I personally use a hard rake head hung on the wall. Unless I leave the key in the truck, it's on the rake head. I'm very rurally located so, not worried about keys in trucks. Discipline makes me use the rake head. some spare toolbox keys stay in their corresponding cabs.
 
chiselbit said:
After that incident I put a spare on my truck key ring but I’m with oceans on the whole big buncha keys on one ring. Too many. And looking at the ring I have keys on there that I have no idea what they are for now. I’m sure it’s important otherwise they wouldn’t be there but I really need to engrave each key as it goes on a ring to avoid this in future.
Click to expand...
I went through mine in an effort to identify what they are and then set aside the least used on a separate ring. That was helpful to reduce how many get carried around.

Then I was able to use a much smaller carabiner, but still couldn’t stand having to take it on and off my belt loop when my hands are full. Most recently, I ended up using a retractable lanyard for what keys I still have. All vehicle door keys are on one ring. Equipment keys are on a xsre crab so they can be removed for use, and all others are on another ring. It’s pretty quick to id what I need and I admit I like the lanyard for convenience.

I still don’t have a solution for the overall number I have.
 
chiselbit said:
After that incident I put a spare on my truck key ring but I’m with oceans on the whole big buncha keys on one ring. Too many. And looking at the ring I have keys on there that I have no idea what they are for now. I’m sure it’s important otherwise they wouldn’t be there but I really need to engrave each key as it goes on a ring to avoid this in future.
Click to expand...
I went through mine in an effort to identify what they are and then set aside the least used on a separate ring. That was helpful to reduce how many get carried around.

Then I was able to use a much smaller carabiner, but still couldn’t stand having to take it on and off my belt loop when my hands are full. Most recently, I ended up using a retractable lanyard for what keys I still have. All vehicle door keys are on one ring. Equipment keys are on a xsre crab so they can be removed for use, and all others are on another ring. It’s pretty quick to id what I need and I admit I like the lanyard for convenience.

I still don’t have a solution for the overall number I have.
 
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