A Tale of Two Keys

Tanglewood apartments first annoyed us when we asked for a garage ready for our move-in, but they "forgot to write it down" and delayed our garage rental for a month. Then, they would not give us a spare key, claiming they only have two copies, but we are free to make our own copies.

Thus, I embarked on a mission to copy the garage key so Katie and I could have independent access to the garage.

First, I went to ACE Hardware and got a copy of the EA27-style key. It didn't fit. It was too thick to enter the lock.

Thinking this is an error only in the brand difference, I call a locksmith about it but they apparently were not amused and told me in not so many words that "Copying a key at a locksmith is a waste of money and you're an idiot for trying. Thanks for wasting my time. Go to a different hardware store."

Following the advice of someone who should know more about this than me, I traveled to Home Depot in search of another key. I explain the situation and show the copy that doesn't fit in the lock. They go ahead and copy another key of the same thickness instead of letting me look and decide if it was the proper size.

So, I travel back to the Tanglewood office and explain the situation and ask how they copy the key. The man there bumbles something about having that same problem but getting a copy somehow. Recommends a locksmith. Thanks, I hadn't thought of that.

Going to a different locksmith than I had previously called, I find the following information after one of the smiths spends half an hour looking for keys and calling his key supplier (very nice people at Lincoln Lock & Key):

1. My key was a copy, not an original.
2. My key was a Cole EA27, but the Cole brand was discontinued. Not surprising since they make keys in non-standard sizes.
3. The EA27 was probably chosen for the copy based on randomly guessing a similar-looking key. Only with the original would we be able to know for sure.
4. Before going to the locksmith, you should check the brand of the lock and/or door.

Those people were very helpful, and even copied a key that had a similar, but not exact shape, just in case the EA27 was not really the type they wanted.

That key did not work. Also, the garage door and lock had no visible branding. Nothing, nowhere.

Back to the office to explain the situation again and ask see the master key. When the master key also has no brand markings, I'm given this key and take it back to Lincoln Lock & Key, where they check and look but find no match. They recommend replacing the cylinder in the lock with something not so horribly non-standard.

Now we get to the exciting conclusion. Are you still reading this? It really is worth this crazy long story, as I would not type it all except that I am incredibly upset about the end of the tale. Enough suspense? I go to the Tanglewood office and ask them to replace the lock on the garage, as it is hopeless to get a copy. Then, the office person simply asked "Would you like another copy?" To which I reply, "But you said you didn't have any other copies!" She states very simply "Of course we do, we just don't keep them with the masters so they don't get lost. Here you go." And, I walk out of the office with a key that works perfectly in my lock. I think there were three other keys in the drawer that fit.

Think back to how many times I rode my bike to a hardware store or to a locksmith (to be specific, today I rode from 44th and O to 33rd and Holdredge to find a closer locksmith, but it didn't exist, so I rode from there to 11th and H to Lincoln Lock & Key, all in 90-degree temperatures) wasted several peoples' time and bought three bogus keys all in what could have changed at step one: give me another copy of the key.