Slim Schlage Key Extender

This is a cap designed to make your key head longer, just enough to make it more comfortable to use or easier to use in a recessed guarded lock, without adding significant bulk to the key.

My design criteria were to not make the key head any wider (as the key heads were already tight against one side of some lock guard openings), to significantly increase the length of the head, provide better grip, be strong enough in standard PLA to hold up to constant daily (ab)use, and not require any glue. The result is a cap that increases the key thickness from ~2mm to 4.2mm, the width by 0-1mm, and the length by about 10mm.

These caps are designed to print with the key inserted partway through the print, but could also be split, printed in two halves, and glued together if preferred. Key IDs can be added in most slicers by embossing text or using other models to make cutouts, for example a house or briefcase shape (or a heart, as shown in the example photo). The key cutout inside the model is oversized for a typical SC1 key, so various off-brand blanks and certain Schlage restricted keys should also fit.

Print settings:

• Variable or 0.2mm layer height, or slightly less if your first layer is thicker. 
  • This will ensure the depth of the key slot is right so you don't drag your nozzle over it. The base is 1mm thick and the key slot section is 2.2mm thick. Odd-sized layers may cause changes in measurements.
  • You may need to vertically stretch the model if your key isn't 2mm thick.
• Pause print at 3.2mm to insert the key before continuing. A small support is included to hold the end of the key up.

Note: The STL shared here is not exactly the same as the yellow/red prints in the photos, which were the prototype prints (and are still in use as of this writing). The hole is 1mm larger and the body 2mm longer, changes I decided were needed but have not yet printed. Please post your makes!