A key should be parallel. An example of parallel

Question

nottim · Answer

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neonumbrella5115 · Answer

Welcome to Openstudy!  I'm a bit unclear about what your question is asking.  Could you rephrase it?

anonymous · Answer

In order for keys to work, They must run parallel to the axis of the pins.  Keys work (or most keys) by moving a set of pins up at variable levels.  Cheap locks have two or three pins and good locks have at least five.  Each "pin" is actually two pins with a spring above it. The spring keeps the pins down and the key raises all the keys to the correct height so that the split between each pin (recall each "pin" is actually two pins) is at the same height. Once this occurs you can turn your key and the inner metal cylinder can move free inside the outer cylinder. The bottom half of all the pin pairs is in the inner cylinder and the top half is in the outer.