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Re:How do keys work? Explained in one Gif by RandallBrown on Tuesday January 22, 2013 @08:34PM (#5100844)
why does only one cylinder bind at a time?

It seems to me like the lock shouldn't be able to turn at all until all of the cylinders are pressed to the right height.

Re:How do keys work? Explained in one Gif by SquareWheel on Tuesday January 22, 2013 @08:46PM (#5100880)
Due to imperfections in the lock. It only takes a tiny difference for that tension to not be applied evenly so you can focus on one pin at a time.
Re:How do keys work? Explained in one Gif by hoov on Tuesday January 22, 2013 @08:49PM (#5100891)
Manufacturing tolerances aren't 100% perfect.