MICRO brand key machine?

[WOT]

I just ordered a MICRO brand key machine. It has a single bevel edge cutter and has a micrometer controls for both depths and spacing.

I really don't know how you'd do the proper valley angle for the trailing side, but is this a decent code cutter? Anyone heard of MICRO?

[Eyes_Only]

Hmm, never heard of it. Is this in the US?

[zeke79]

If it is single bevel then it is a duplicator. Your micrometer adjustments for space and depths are only for the calibration of the machine as far as I know on this model.

Some of the higher end duplicators have the space and depth adjustments for proper calibration also. I would say the machine you bought is not a code machine but a duplicator.

[WOT]

If it is single bevel then it is a duplicator. Your micrometer adjustments for space and depths are only for the calibration of the machine as far as I know on this model.

Some of the higher end duplicators have the space and depth adjustments for proper calibration also. I would say the machine you bought is not a code machine but a duplicator.

I think you're right. I just got it and it's a cute little duplicator, built like a toy. The bushing on the carriage and the shaft finish is a joke compared to my Ilco Unican duplicator. As for the micrometers, it's apparently a home built unit. The micrometers are an after thought. A craftsman generic type micrometer welded onto a bracket, then attached to the base ....

It has a rotary file type cutter and it is much much less grabbier than the milling cutter and it seems to cut just as quick, if not faster. What's the pro and con of rotary file vs milling cutter?

The motor on my Ilco is a big 1/4 hp induction motor with a very high starting current, but the motor on this one is a 100W universal motor, which has very small inertia and low starting current. It should be very good for inverter use.

Well, in the end, maybe I wasted $100

Click for full size.

[globallockytoo]

I used to rep for ILCO a few years back and that was a very popular duplicator sold. Not a bad machine really, but today there are a lot more useful competitively priced models.

[zeke79]

That looks like the ilco 008 but with the addition of the micrometers. The disadvantage to rf cutters is that they cannot be resharpened or can only be sharpened once. For the small machines such as this unit, the 008, etc I prefer the rf cutters for just what you stated.

[WOT]

That looks like the ilco 008 but with the addition of the micrometers. The disadvantage to rf cutters is that they cannot be resharpened or can only be sharpened once. For the small machines such as this unit, the 008, etc I prefer the rf cutters for just what you stated.

It looks very similar to the Ilco 008, but looking at the 008, it's not the same. The The Ilco uses a 1/4" thick 23RF, but that cutter is definitely thicker than 1/4"... If I need replacement parts, I don't think I can use Ilco 008 parts..

[zeke79]

True there. I was just referring to the overall look of the machine. Very old school ilco 008'ish. Here is a picture of my ilco 008 or whatever they were called way back when .

This was given to me by a locksmith friend of mine. I added a used RF cutter and the machine now cuts a decent duplication. They have a bit of angle to them due to the angle of rotation of the feed but they still work for most applications.

www.locksportarchives.com/ilco.jpg

***CAUTION LARGE IMAGE FILE***

[WOT]

True there. I was just referring to the overall look of the machine. Very old school ilco 008'ish. Here is a picture of my ilco 008 or whatever they were called way back when .

This was given to me by a locksmith friend of mine. I added a used RF cutter and the machine now cuts a decent duplication. They have a bit of angle to them due to the angle of rotation of the feed but they still work for most applications.

www.locksportarchives.com/ilco.jpg

***CAUTION LARGE IMAGE FILE***

hmmm i think that is exactly the samething. Yours have the pivoted clamp too.