Key Machine Maintenance

[Lorek]

Hey All,
I just recently bought a used key machine and was wondering what kind of regular maintenance should be performed on the machine to keep it running smoothly. I noticed that key shavings have started to gum up the metal bar that the carriage rests on so I plan to clean that out shortly but I have not been unable to find much information related to preventative maintenance for precision machinery. Any ideas? Oh and its a Rytan

[freakparade3]

Keep the carriage bar lubricated and keep the shavings off of it. Also it stored outside in a garage take the wheel off if you don't use it every day of the cutter will rust.

[lockpicker69]

i dont cut that many keys so calibrate maybe every 4-6 months. just keep it clean clean clean ,while cleaning check for loose nuts bolts fittings ect

[Lorek]

What kind of lubricant would you suggest? I've got the teflon based triflow available but that stuffs pretty harsh.

[WOT]

Spray exposed steel parts and the cutter with WD-40. Try not to get it on the belt though. Rust is your enemy and WD-40 is a crummy lube, but a good rust prevention coating.

[Jaakko]

Spray exposed steel parts and the cutter with WD-40. Try not to get it on the belt though. Rust is your enemy and WD-40 is a crummy lube, but a good rust prevention coating.

Or use engine oil, fully synthetic. You can easily spread it with your fingers and only a light coat is needed. But I warn you, do NOT use mineral oils! Mineral oil stinks so badly that you will puke if you have to smell it.

[Eyes_Only]

Any specific weight engine oil recommended?

[Jaakko]

Any specific weight engine oil recommended?

I jus took what was cheap at the time of buying, seems to be 5W-40

[doppleganger]

Has anyone ever tried sewing machine oil? Comes in nice little dispenser cans.

Dopp.

[WOT]

Has anyone ever tried sewing machine oil? Comes in nice little dispenser cans.

Dopp.

I personally prefer spray for protecting metal stuff. You can get a better, even thin coverage of a large surface using a aerosol without a nozzle.

[Lorek]

How well do you think lithium grease would work for a key cutter. I know it works great for metal working lathes. Just found some in one of my old parts bins.

[prag]

doppleganger wrote
Has anyone ever tried sewing machine oil? Comes in nice little dispenser cans.

I feel that sewing machine oil is too thick. The only hassle I find with sewing machine oil is that it "attract" dust and metal fileings.

What we use is a silicion spray and a hint I got was occasionally to spray the cutter. Since the cutter and key is metal to metal, this just lubricates the surface and reduces the damage of the cutter. It also reduces the heat generated from the cutting process, prolongs the life of cutter.

Also cleaning surface area of metal fileings makes the machine look tidy and this we do once a week.

Also if the machine is not used daily, cover it with plastic to prevent dust and moisture that can possibily lead to rust,especially on the carriage way.

[maxxx]

Read the manual for the machine or download it from the mfg. HPC for example, says do not lube the rails that the carriage slides on. It will only attract abrasives.

The bushings are sintered bronze and are very soft. No offense but WD40 dosent do much of anything but repel moisture and lubricate briefly until it evaporates.

Keep the machine covered when not in use and wipe the rails clean. Simple as that. Keep your engine oil in the engine, and your sewing machine oil in the sewing machine.

[Jaakko]

The bushings are sintered bronze

Well then, now that that nfo came up I can say why no lubrication is better: Because bronze is self-lubricating metal, along with brass.