I've done a similar thing with a "chicago screw", as they're called. To keep it from unscrewing in my pocket, I put beeswax on the threads.

Jasmo

Hmmm... I Like this, but I don't see a way to make it work with a bulky car key. Any ideas?

2-7offsuit

@jamesdenver: I know where you work and have a good idea what closet you are hiding your key in. Muahahaha.

Myron

For now I'm one of the few (probably along with homeless people) that doesn't carry keys.

My home has a biometric fingerprint lock that's been working great for three years now. I only drive when I'm going out to the burbs or weekend trip, and I keep my office key at work hidden in a closet.

I like the idea though...

jamesdenver

I used to do this. It works pretty well.

James

@2-7offsuit: You can almost always just cut the plastic off.

GC

@That Bastid:
i got one of those at ACE Hardware. really expensive for what it is (like $5) but best keychain i've ever had. it's like a thin version of a laptop lock cable in a circle that screws together.

aliencam

countycomm.com makes a very strong, very simple cable key chain. The above would be great for those with TWO KEYS. I don't know anyone with such a simple life: got school keys, house keys, parents' house keys, car keys...
The important thing is to embrace the keys. go to EDC Forums and see how much stuff people carry and why.
On a daily basis, I carry:
LED light
Victorinox One Hander SAK
flashdrive case with about 12 gigs of SD cards for my Treo (and a twenty)
3.5mm to 2.5mm adapter for my headphones (in flashdrive case)
a mini Sharpie pen
sometimes I add a countycomm mini pry bar or one of their peanut lighters.
It's a heavy little keychain, all hanging from a Tiffany silver split ring- but you should see what I get done with all this stuff!

flowerofhighrank

@GC: That's often not a good idea. The plastic part of many car keys holds an RFID chip needed to keep the car's anti-theft unit (PATS) satisfied.

No plastic part of the key = a disabled starter.

I like this tip; too bad I have a giant car key with a PATS chip in it.

hector7g

Anyone know where you can get a keychain that's made of a flexible braided wire? I've forgotten the name of these so can't google them.

That Bastid

Great idea! The other problem with car keys is the oblong slot that serves as a hole though. But was considering a tiny washer(?).

molife

Seems like a good way to lose your keys. At least a keychain adds bulk, makes noise, and doesn't easily slip out of your pocket.

dataguy

My first car was a 1984 Olds Cutlass Supreme with the two keys (one for door and one for ignition).
I put them back to back so that the notched were facing opposite directions. I tightly wrapped a paper clip around them and then put electrical tape around that.

One tip with electrical tape is that if you put a dab of superglue at the termination point of the tape and quickly push it down it almost melts together. It is like welding the tape.

Bob Brown

I have a very similar key holder that I bought in Memphis, Tn at some junk place on Beale St. My grandfather also had one like it.
Picture@: [www.flickr.com]

cbotwell

I have a Tumi keychain (no longer made) that works much like the Flex-O-Loc, but it would be nice to have something that gets rid of the loop all together, like what's noted above. I think it would probably help me avoided being hit by swinging keys. It also would be nice if my cars didn't have separate keyless entry fobs from the key, as they take up a lot of space too.

Schalliol

@That Bastid
[www.acehardwareoutlet.com] (search for Flex-O-Loc)

LessIsMore

Now if only we could have harsh enough penalties for stealing, so we wouldn't even need keys, since it wouldn't be worth the risk for any would be thief or burglar!

LessIsMore

Addionally, my big wad of keys can be used as a makeshift defensive weapon in a pinch.

EASTKOY

I've got a Victorinox keychain that slips onto the belt, but I need a chain to let the keys fall into my pants pocket. I've looked in hardware stores, arts & crafts stores and other places. Any idea where I can get a 4-6 length of slender chain like that?

mzamora

I use a small plastic cable tie ([www.customtoolsupply.com]) as keychain. It is very robust and flexible, the length is variable and you can choose from different sizes and even colors!
The only disadvantage is, if you want to add or remove a key, you have cut the cable tie and cannot reuse it. But then again, they come in packs of hundred for about $1!

fincher

Yeah, I'm one of those people that prefer some noise and bulk attached to my keys so I won't forget about them. I've got a Maglite Solitaire as a keychain.

greenbot

I use one of the cable style keychains for my motorcycle keys. One tip though, use a dab of Loctite on the screw, as I once got to my destination to find that it had unscrewed itself & my keys were about to fall off.

--JOsh

crturboguy

MZAMORA AT 01/28/08 08:51 PM
... Any idea where I can get a 4-6 length of slender chain like that?

- - sounds silly; but try a pet store? If you're not afraid of a little Dremel work, you can get "fancy doggie" chain collars that are fairly slender.

There's also craft stores (or the craft dept at Wal Mart of all places) - that sell jewelry-type chains, but they're a tad on the fragile side.

We were looking for a neck-chain for the keys for our daughter, and ended up with the doggie chain option, much sturdier clasp; yet still pretty.

jafac

@jafac: Just don't tell her where the chain came from!

s0crates82

If I only had 2 keys! Best hack is to go to a mountain climbing store and buy a little aluminum clip. It's light, strong, looks cool, clips to all sorts of things, can add a subtract keys in a flash and is way cheap. If you're lucky enough to live in Canada, you can go to MEC and pick one up. They mail order internationally. The best coop store ever. [www.mec.ca]

philosopher_dog

@That Bastid: I've heard it called aviation cable, although I'm sure it has other names, and you can get a keychain made of it from countycomm.

mivok

@That Bastid: Target. I have one.

HoldenMyOwn

I think the chicago screw is a better idea, as the rivet prevents you from ever adding or removing keys from your keychain.

@ jamesdenver: I saw an episode of mythbusters which tested biometric locks, and they found that it was very easy to fool them if you had a fingerprint left on a surface. How easy? They found that even a black and white photocopy of a lifted fingerprint would work. Something to think about.

Tachyon0118

ditto to PHILOSOPHER_DOG. I have a carabiner, and it holds the 'bundled' keys. 2 offsite mailbox keys, 3 house keys, car key + fob, each set on a ring that can be detached from the carabiner. Then add laptop security cable's key, a mini=sharpie, tv-zapper, flashlight, & lighter-knife combo. Easy to take off 1 thing when needed.

ChefHacker

that is freakin' sweet! i went out and bought rivets and rivet tool for about $15. did a three key setup with a 1/8" x 1/2" rivet.

la3541