How do I adjust my ilco duplicator right?

[WOT]

I have reference depth keys, calipered to exact Schlage specs, but I can't get the machine to be accurate enough to keep the duplicate within specs.

Schlage gives +2/1000" and -0" allowance. After initial adjustment, I was at +.003" I made a small adjustment and now my cuts are -.002"

No matter how I adjust it, the resulting keys are out of specs.

How do I get my Ilco 25 to be within specs?

[freakparade3]

I'm not an expert on Ilco machines but my first thought was to double check that you are using the right size cutter for the brand of keys you are cutting. Where are the keys off? To deep, to shallow, root depth, spacing?

[linty]

I just take two blanks (of good quality) and put one in each clamp. Then I adjust the tracer until you can hear the cutter just barely touching the blank.

You can do this with the machine running (carefully) or you can spin the brush by hand (which spins the blade).

We always test after adjustment by taking an original schlage lock and duplicating the keys, testing them, duplicating the duplicates, testing them, duplicating the duplicated duplicates, testing them, etc.

3 generations is acceptable. 5 generations is good.

[WOT]

I just take two blanks (of good quality) and put one in each clamp. Then I adjust the tracer until you can hear the cutter just barely touching the blank.

You can do this with the machine running (carefully) or you can spin the brush by hand (which spins the blade).

We always test after adjustment by taking an original schlage lock and duplicating the keys, testing them, duplicating the duplicates, testing them, duplicating the duplicated duplicates, testing them, etc.

3 generations is acceptable. 5 generations is good.

The adjusting mechanism is not very good on the 025. It's just a stylus with a groove on the bottom and you adjust it so the front of the adjustment screw is touching the front groove, then you tighten down the set screw.

I only make adjustments by a very small amount, but when I compare the cut depth from original to copy, it's always a few thousands outside the permissible range

[linty]

sounds like the problem I have adjusting my silca crown. That one just takes trial and error and luck.

I've been spoiled by these bravo II's I guess.