wondering about key machine motors.

[jimmysmith]

I just picked up this old ilco key dub machine, pretty good shape. could use a new cutter wheel, I turned it on and it runs strong, but once I start cutting a key it slows way down...dont want to say bogs out but it slows down to the point i have to go super slow cutting the key, the motor says its able to get 5000 rpms.....is it just old and I should I start looking for a new one, do I need more rpms? could use some advice, A while back I Heared of a guy switching out his crapy key machine motor for a nice sewing machine motor....with a foot switch any thoughts on that? and one more question.. where is every one getting there cutting wheels? and advice on buying cutting wheels. ....please help

Jimmy

[Shrub]

On the smaller machines the motors ae only sewing machine motors or as good as, not sure about the foot switch though you really need a hand control,

More speed is not the way to improve machines, more speed just burns the cutter out, the motor may say 5000 revs but unless the cutter is on the motor shaft this will be geared down,

If its bogging down your cutter is blunt,

Buy cutters from machine suppliers,

You need to learn how to cut keys, you dont just insert a key and ram the cutter through it, things need to be done in a correct method in a certain way, if you have no experiance its a good idea to get some by either spending an hour with a lockie or go and watch a key cutting kiosk for a few hours,

Cutting too fast, taking too much off, wrongly set stops, incorrect vice orientation etc etc are all things you need to be aware of, how to reset the machine is the most important or else you wont be able to repeatedly cut keys,

[jimmysmith]

If its bogging down your cutter is blunt,

Buy cutters from machine suppliers,

You need to learn how to cut keys, you dont just insert a key and ram the cutter through it, things need to be done in a correct method in a certain way, if you have no experiance its a good idea to get some by either spending an hour with a lockie or go and watch a key cutting kiosk for a few hours,

Cutting too fast, taking too much off, wrongly set stops, incorrect vice orientation etc etc are all things you need to be aware of, how to reset the machine is the most important or else you wont be able to repeatedly cut keys,

I never thought about the fact it's geared down. and sure enough it is, also the belt is a little loose {wonder if that matters} your right, I am no pro at cutting keys but with every key that goes by I get better, my cut keys work. its just slow cutting them.

I actually just got this machine. my first one, so resetting and things like that,,,I am not super aware of.
Can you explane resetting the machine?

Are there local places that sharpen the wheels? or do i have to mail it off someplace, ?

appreciate it.

[zeke79]

You can mail them off to Gil Ray for resharpening. It will cost anywhere from $20-$40 I'd say depending on the cutter. Make sure you inspect the wheel for broken teeth before sending it in. 4 or 5 chips is about the max you can get away with as long as they are not next to each other.

[WOT]

I just picked up this old ilco key dub machine, pretty good shape. could use a new cutter wheel, I turned it on and it runs strong, but once I start cutting a key it slows way down...dont want to say bogs out but it slows down to the point i have to go super slow cutting the key, the motor says its able to get 5000 rpms.....is it just old and I should I start looking for a new one, do I need more rpms? could use some advice, A while back I Heared of a guy switching out his crapy key machine motor for a nice sewing machine motor....with a foot switch any thoughts on that? and one more question.. where is every one getting there cutting wheels? and advice on buying cutting wheels. ....please help

Jimmy

Your key machine must be a DC 12v or an economy model with universal series wound motor. Does it sound kind of like a blender when it is running? Better ones are powered by induction motor which is 1725 or 3450 RPM and never above 3600 and holds the RPM basically constant under all load.

Mine has a 1/4 hp Westinghouse and it dims lights when it starts up. uh oh.

[jimmysmith]

the motor on my machine looks like its about right for its age. older machine. the motor has chome metel plate on it thats says its information. Its a Dayton motor, ac/dc series, 5000 rpm, its a little worn off but i think it says 11.5 or 115 volts. and h.p. 1/1f.

does this sound like a motor thats commonly on key machines? Take into concideration its older.

What i am wondering is.....why is it bogging down when i cut keys even slowly.

I am also looking into a new cutting wheel. or resharpening. ....if it cost $20-$40 for resharpening....and you have to mail it off......
is it worth just geeting a new one....how much fo they run..and where can i get them.....and local store type places or only online?

[zeke79]

You have already asked several times about this dull cutter. Your question has been answered so you should take the time to search yahoo if you want to buy a new one.

[maxxed]

I'm going to guess that he has an older 008 or Mighty Mite key cutter based on the motor specs. This machine should be using a 23RF cutter , because it is a rotary file cutter you are not going to get it sharpened. You should look at slowing it down by changing the motor or gearing it down and switch to a 23MC cutter, it will last longer and cut better.

[zeke79]

The 34MC will also work I believe but again must be sharp. I think there is a 34MC on ebay for around $10 right now that is brand new.

Maxxed,

I think Gil Ray will sharpen the rotary file cutters. You may want to contact him and see if you have any that need to go in.

[maxxed]

The 34MC will also work I believe but again must be sharp. I think there is a 34MC on ebay for around $10 right now that is brand new.

Maxxed,

I think Gil Ray will sharpen the rotary file cutters. You may want to contact him and see if you have any that need to go in.

If anyone can sharpen a RF cutter Gil Ray can, they have been in the business for a very long time. I should have worded it more along the lines of it is not economical to do so when compared to the cost of a new RF cutter, because they are so cheap.
One of my 008's had a 34 MC on it when I got it ( used) and it tended to widen the cuts because the guide was a match for the 23 profile. I'm sure a 34 cutter will work well if the guide is matching

[zeke79]

That is what my 008 had on it too. I went back with the RF cutter. I didnt think of the cost issue on the RF cutters. Might as well buy new.

[2octops]

Yes a Dayton motor should be original or an original style motor on an ILCO machine.

If it's bogging, you have a dull cutter.

Does your cutter have any numbers and letters on it? What model machine do you have?

As everyone has said, David at Gil Ray is the best.

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/GilRayToolsInc/

New cutters can be from $30-$300 depending on what you have.

David might can resharpen what you have or even sell you a new or resharpened one. I've bought many resharpened from him in the past (cheaper than new) and never had a problem with them.

[zeke79]

Just an FYI, my resharpend hpc cutters seem sharper than new.

[WOT]

Does a sharpened cutting wheel last anywhere near as long as a new one before it needs resharpening?

Some bogging down is normal with series "universal motors". This is the kind of motor used for portable drill, circular saw, dremel, blender and they all bog a little bit with load.

[Shrub]

The machine shouldnt be bogging down though, if it is with a new cutter then the machine is being over worked as in the key being forced into the cut too fast or much,

A resharpened anything if done correctly will last just as long as a new cutter and in some cases maybe longer if a differant proven cutting angles have been inplemented that werent on the blade to begin with,

I have resharpened my own mortice cutters in the past and it means you can change the angles a little differantly so the blade cuts the material you use most, brass and steel cut very differantly and the cutters are made with a universal shape, a specific brass tool against a specific steel tool whether it be a key machine, lathe or milling machine will look differant to each other, the key machine makers use a mean differance and make a blade tht should do all materials but i cut a lot of steel mortice keys so altered my angles slightly when it went blunt and it now cuts like a hot knife through butter,

But as said its not really worth it on the cheaper machines, buy a new cutter and be done with it, i sharpened my own on the van in the middle of a job so i had little else choice,