Cole 498A Semi-Automatic Key Duplicator

[GWiens2001]

Thought I'd pick up an extra duplicator, possibly put on a flat steel slot cutter when I saw this listing on Craigslist:



$60? Heck, why not. Picked it up and brought it home. Calibrated the tracer for depth/spacing (it was way off). It cleans up nicely.





Took off the cover to repair a crack in the plastic when I unexpectedly noticed this:



Yippee! Made a spring for the carriage right here (there was not one there when I got it)



Here is how that seashell-looking thing works:



How it looks/works with the cover on:



IIRC, this is called a semi-automatic key machine. Or would it be a fully-automatic key machine? Either way, not a bad deal for $60 USD.

Gordon

[Gantry]

Wow, A nice little find! Looks in good shape. Reminds me of the "old" days. That was the same machine we used to cut keys at the hardware store I work for way back when...

[GWiens2001]

Thanks, Gantry. It does feel a lot more solid than the machines made these days. And the cutter is good.

To answer my own question, from what I have heard from a locksmith here in town, since it can cut automatically and manually, it is semi-automatic.

Gordon

[Gantry]

That makes sense. I remember if I only had one or two keys to make I'd let the machine do the cutting. If there was a bunch, I'd use the manual mode to cut through them faster.

[cledry]

I might have a junk one in our shop. If I can find it you can have it for postage if you want.

[Gantry]

Nice Jim, let me know....

[cledry]

Nice Jim, let me know....

Just found what is left of it. We used the motor on another machine. If you want all of what is left it is still heavy and bulky to ship @30 pounds. I could strip back everything and send it less the base.

[Gantry]

Jim, Thank you so much for looking for it. I think I'm going to pass though. I live in the U.S. and the cost to get it here, then find a working motor and any other parts would be more than I want to do.
Again, thanks for checking on it for me.

[GWiens2001]

Jim, Thank you so much for looking for it. I think I'm going to pass though. I live in the U.S. and the cost to get it here, then find a working motor and any other parts would be more than I want to do.
Again, thanks for checking on it for me.

Gantry - did you notice that he is in the same state as yourself? If you don't want the parts, that is fine, but wanted to let you know.

Gordon

[Gantry]

LOL Gordon, You're so right!!! When Jim said 30 pounds (and I know we have members from all over the world), my little mind though "WOW, 30 (British) pounds I guess that's not too bad for shipping but it's not all there and coming from Great Britain!" Ok guys have a good laugh on my account. Gordon's correct, Jim's shop is about 1 1/2 hours from where I live!

Ok Jim, let me rethink this.... How much do you think a new (or used) motor would cost? And what other parts might I need to get it running? (glad you're not in England anymore LOL).

[GWiens2001]

Have seen a number of key machines in which the motor has been replaced with a very non-oem part. Put on a pulley for the belt in there and voila!

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

LOL Gordon, You're so right!!! When Jim said 30 pounds (and I know we have members from all over the world), my little mind though "WOW, 30 (British) pounds I guess that's not too bad for shipping but it's not all there and coming from Great Britain!" Ok guys have a good laugh on my account. Gordon's correct, Jim's shop is about 1 1/2 hours from where I live!

Ok Jim, let me rethink this.... How much do you think a new (or used) motor would cost? And what other parts might I need to get it running? (glad you're not in England anymore LOL).

Surplus Center has new 1/6 HP motor for $42.99 add another few $$ for shipping www.surpluscenter.com
click on 'electric motors'