Please help with old ILCO cutter

[Squelchtone]

I picked up an old ILCO cutter from a locksmith who closed shop due to old age. I paid around 250 and thought it was kind of high, but i have wanted one for some time and couldnt find one. Everything works and it cuts great! i got it calibrated to within .002" so i think its pretty good.
i know nothing about it aside from the fact that its old lol. any info would be great!! i tried asking the guy i got it from but he couldnt help. i have found nothing when searching. this is my first post so i am sorry if this is in the wrong spot. here are a few pics i took. anybody know what the secondary cutting blade on the right side is for?

http://i57.tinypic.com/2mxqi1.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/52ns6w.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2ptq9nc.jpg

http://i60.tinypic.com/smgkue.jpg

[UnlockingBoredom]

Im no expert but it looks like it is to cut the flat keys so you dont have to switch out the cutter.

[thingus13]

Im no expert but it looks like it is to cut the flat keys so you dont have to switch out the cutter.

Flat keys??

[GWiens2001]

Safe deposit keys are an example of flat keys here in the USA.



Gordon

[Squelchtone]

Im no expert but it looks like it is to cut the flat keys so you dont have to switch out the cutter.

Flat keys??

flat keys are usually for lever locks, such as old safe deposit box locks:



That other wheel on your machine cuts thin slots into the key to match the lever pack inside the lock. The keys are traditionally flat steel, and dont have the keyway profiles like a common household lock such as Schlage or Kwikset would have.

pic of a lock that uses flat keys
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/221471624148-0-1/s-l1000.jpg

that' s a nice old machine you got, and it looks like Gwiens2001 beat me to the answer, he's quick! =)

Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

I have a key machine just like yours. It has two cutters, one for use on regular pin tumbler keys and also a slotter, for use on steel keys.
Great machine, I have been using mine since I bought out my Dad in 94.

[cledry]

Nah, that isn't a flat steel machine. That is a regular cutter of the type popular when GM keys were single sided and needed a straight first cut. It will work fine for cylindrical locks but don't use it for flat steel it will kill the cutter.

Flat steel machines have much wider jaw spacing than this and also have a different cutter and copy dog.

[jeffmoss26]

Ilco 2585 as seen here: http://simon-says.net/lds2/ilco-h/ilco-h.htm

[Squelchtone]

Nah, that isn't a flat steel machine. That is a regular cutter of the type popular when GM keys were single sided and needed a straight first cut. It will work fine for cylindrical locks but don't use it for flat steel it will kill the cutter.

Flat steel machines have much wider jaw spacing than this and also have a different cutter and copy dog.

ooops! my mistake!

I learn new things here every day, thanks for chiming in cledry.
Squelchtone

[billdeserthills]

Nah, that isn't a flat steel machine. That is a regular cutter of the type popular when GM keys were single sided and needed a straight first cut. It will work fine for cylindrical locks but don't use it for flat steel it will kill the cutter.

Flat steel machines have much wider jaw spacing than this and also have a different cutter and copy dog.

You are right, I have stubbornly seen several side milling cutters destroyed by my favorite machine. Do you think using a slotter blade would help?
It has never failed to cut a good working key though,
steel or brass.

[cledry]

Nah, that isn't a flat steel machine. That is a regular cutter of the type popular when GM keys were single sided and needed a straight first cut. It will work fine for cylindrical locks but don't use it for flat steel it will kill the cutter.

Flat steel machines have much wider jaw spacing than this and also have a different cutter and copy dog.

ooops! my mistake!

I learn new things here every day, thanks for chiming in cledry.
Squelchtone

Actually I am wrong, it is the 2585, I missed the second cutter. I thought it was a 2584.

[billdeserthills]

Nah, that isn't a flat steel machine. That is a regular cutter of the type popular when GM keys were single sided and needed a straight first cut. It will work fine for cylindrical locks but don't use it for flat steel it will kill the cutter.

Flat steel machines have much wider jaw spacing than this and also have a different cutter and copy dog.

You are right, I have stubbornly seen several side milling cutters destroyed by my favorite machine. Do you think using a slotter blade would help?
It has never failed to cut a good working key though,
steel or brass.

I wonder why the steel cutters keep breaking on my machine? You were certainly correct that the vises on my other steel cutter machine are much wider