Making / modify Key Blanks

[tecnovist]

Hi---- I have some old Locks that I am going to modify & rebuild and have to rebuild key's for them ----That way I will have the only key blanks for the locks-----
and need info on the type of Machine that would be needed to cut the grooves in them ---

The key's will be 2.1/2 inch long by 3/8 1/2 inch wide with 1mm by 1mm grooves running the lenght of them---

maybe there is some way they can be made in a lathe-- like if a rotating cutting tool was fitted in the chuck and the part fixed to the bed-

---I thank you for any info ====

---These will be made out of annealed Spring steel and then heat treated---

[Squelchtone]

How is it that you have over 16,000,000 posts?

=)

[cjames73]

best way is to use a milling machine.
a dremel could be used if mounted to the bench and the blank fixed to a sliding carriage underneath.
the carriage could just be a sliding wooden block in between 2 fixed blocks.

[cjames73]

How is it that you have over 16,000,000 posts?

=)

looking at the memberlist theres a load more with a similar post count.
odd

[tecnovist]

squelchtone
16,000,000 posts? were dose it say that

[Keyring]

16777215 seems to be 0xFFFFFF.

[raimundo]

I have modified brass blanks with an engravers burin. works if you know how. burins need to be sharp and you may want an engravers ball to secure the blank to.

[thelockpickkid]

hey I want 17,000,000,000,000 posts, how can I get that many
can somebody help me

[kg4boj]

At my shop we take all of our mill files, and grind the tips down to a chisel point, which can be run back and fourth inside the pre existing wards of a key and widen them out. You can also use a pippin file to start a new groove on a key without one where you need it.

[tecnovist]

kg4boj ---- Hi
yes i have done that, works well -----

But is there no one in here that knows what type of mechine , can be used recomend or modifyed for the job ------ or maybe post some links to a site that sells them --- Thanks

[MBI]

kg4boj ---- Hi
yes i have done that, works well -----

But is there no one in here that knows what type of mechine , can be used recomend or modifyed for the job ------ or maybe post some links to a site that sells them --- Thanks

If you're going to be making blanks in bulk, I'd do as cjames73 suggested and use a milling machine. If you're not going to be making very many, use kg4boj's idea and just use hand files. On the other hand, if you're dying to have a machine specifically made for keys I can think of two that can modify or manufacture blanks for you:

The Framon sidewinder is a duplicating machine for high security auto keys, and while it's not designed for modifying key wards it can be used for that purpose if you're a little creative and have a good selection of shims.
http://www.framon.com/sd1.html

The Easy Entrie machine gives new meaning to the term "key blanks". Their blanks have no wards at all. The machine can scan your key (or use pre-programmed profiles or photos of a keyway) and then will cut the wards into the blank to create a completely custom key blank.
http://www.fortresslock.co.uk/trade/index.htm

I imagine if you researched it a bit you could come up with even more options, but maybe this'll give you a place to start.





Ta-Da!

[WOT]

kg4boj ---- Hi
yes i have done that, works well -----

But is there no one in here that knows what type of mechine , can be used recomend or modifyed for the job ------ or maybe post some links to a site that sells them --- Thanks

If you're going to be making blanks in bulk, I'd do as cjames73 suggested and use a milling machine. If you're not going to be making very many, use kg4boj's idea and just use hand files. On the other hand, if you're dying to have a machine specifically made for keys I can think of two that can modify or manufacture blanks for you:

The Framon sidewinder is a duplicating machine for high security auto keys, and while it's not designed for modifying key wards it can be used for that purpose if you're a little creative and have a good selection of shims.
http://www.framon.com/sd1.html

The Easy Entrie machine gives new meaning to the term "key blanks". Their blanks have no wards at all. The machine can scan your key (or use pre-programmed profiles or photos of a keyway) and then will cut the wards into the blank to create a completely custom key blank.
http://www.fortresslock.co.uk/trade/index.htm

I imagine if you researched it a bit you could come up with even more options, but maybe this'll give you a place to start.





Ta-Da!

The Easy-Entrie has some limitations. It can't make blanks with overhang groove patterns, such as Schlage Everest.

This isn't relevant to original poster's question, however for the other readers, it's worth adding that a lot of new high security keys are protected by current patents and it unlawful in US/Canada(as well as others...) to duplicate those key blanks until the day of patent expiration.

[tecnovist]

Thanks for the info and the links i think a small milling M/C is all i will need -----i would like to see pic 's of some if any one can help----