DIY: How to make a JDM drifter style key

found this on a different forum and thought it looked good so i thought id share....

think they look sweet police would think you've jacked the car lol
finished result




What is this JDM key?

These were one of the crazy modifications drifters and racers in Japan started doing
Here's what you need:
1 small screwdriver (you can get them at any hardware)
1 car key (preferably a duplicate with a plastic head, you will throw that head away anyway.)
1 gas stove
2 pairs of pliers (you will be using this the whole time.)

Here are the 2.

Use the pliers to hold the screwdriver up the stove, in my case i just decided to hold it bare handed since i did not want to scratch the screw driver handle.
How would know if you were doing the right thing? Just until the screwdriver glows a faint red, you will notice the handle to smoke quite a bit (careful! it is quite hot too.)
Once it smokes a little get the pliers and grab the screwdriver bit and pull it out.
Don't worry you will be able to pull it out.

Here it is removed.
Next up is the car key, since we are using the duplicate, no need to worry about destroying your original car key.

You can do this like how we pulled the driver bit off but i decided to just burn the plastic key head off since it will be worthless after the DIY. Make sure you hold the key's metal part using your pliers.

After all the plastic have burned off and melted try to remove the burnt plastic using a second set of pliers. make sure you strip it clean.
Here comes the tricky part.
Since we now have the handle and the key separated already, we need to merge the 2.
Since you still have the key held by the pliers heat it again on the stove a little bit longer until it reaches the faint red glow.
When it gets red hot, get the screwdriver handle and merge it with the key, make you have it centered and gently place it in, once you have it centered. Run it over cold running water for it to cool down.
Here's how it looked like after.

Key engaged.


you can still use the keychain but you will have to make a hole to put the loop through.
thanks to dogfight for the post

another way...

Inspired by others, I've been searching local hardware stores for a stubby screwdriver that I could use for a key handle. I had planned to use any stubby plastic screwdriver, heat up the blade to remove it, and reinsert the key.

However, I got lucky and scored a great reversible screwdriver. A local harware store I don't usually go to had a bucket of these for $4 each (neon green or orange). The best part was that the shaft comes out. I figured it would be tough to remove the hex insert, however when I tried to pry it out, it completely popped out and l lost it in the garage!

I cut the plastic off my extra key, cut it down to 1/2 inch (the diameter of the hole) and filled it with plastic expoxy that cures white (Quik Plastik).







something abit different










was looking around for my snap on screw driver i had but then i came accross this......



so i got my key and cut it to fit with my dremel tool.




to this



i didnt have clear proxy so i used jb weld

best 1 i think....

I made the screwdriver key a few months back and did the pocket knife key tonight




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thats a good find will do that when i get a new car

iv got all the bits to do this, just had no time at all to actually make 1 lol..

what car you after?

yeahh i like the stanley knife one would be a shock to the police when they open it to find out its a key,

not sure really something cheap on insurance dont have the money yet but should do soon

police would be like

theres afew corollas around these ends..

il let you know if i see something cheap but good condtion

haha think il make one just to see there face,
a nice one mate would love to get my hands on another corolla

Haha thats excellent!!!

RedTune wrote:

Haha thats excellent!!!

I've been meaning to make one of these for a while. I really must get around to it! Might make something a little smaller so I can carry it around in my pocket easier. Hmm, maybe a USB stick might work...Although that may be a bit on the boring side. Will have to get my thinking cap on

im in the same boat as you scott, dunno what to make it with

very nice, 1 prob though im sure cars about 96 on have a chip in the key to let the car start so 1 thing to be careful of

Quote :

always wanted to do that to a Honda hahaha

Hahaha

Absolutely lethal, ya used to be able to get them pre made on Ebay, ya just go into a shop to cut it to the shape of your key

just made the stubby screwdriver one with my quad key haha never got to use it tho quad got stolen 2 days ago

Great idea before i sell my old Corolla... wonder what a buyer will think!

Totally just got 3 keys made today so that I can try some of these

Wut wutttttt, I said I would do this

very nice mate !

Haha thanks bud

That must have an awesome grip feeling every time you start the car!!

It feels like I stole it every time I start her up hahah

lol that is soooo cool! Only downside is that I wouldn't want to carry something that bulky around in my pocket all day.

It can get annoying, I only use it at night/when Im with friends haha.

lol ok they are really good and well done mirror i like it and lol @ feels like u stole it everytime u got out haha love it

nice idea.

you got some prob. to put it your pocket pans?