Cutaway (sort of)

[Black85vette]

Not like the work of blue60 but this is a Kwickset door lock that I milled with an 1/8th inch endmill down to the pins, right at the shearline. I use this for demonstration / training. It only has pins 2,3 and 4 in it and all 3 are the same height so it is really easy to pick. But it does demonstrate for a beginner how to feel what pin they are on and what is happening at the shearline.

[blue60]

That is a good start my first cutaways looked very similar.
I still think this approach for teaching is better then using the cheap clear locks.

[GWiens2001]

I like the idea. But perhaps use an end mill that is thinner than the pin channels. That way you don't risk having the pin(s) fall out.

Looking forward to seeing what you end up doing in the future, Black85Vette.

Gordon

[Black85vette]

I like the idea. But perhaps use an end mill that is thinner than the pin channels. That way you don't risk having the pin(s) fall out.

That is the smallest I have on hand. Even that small makes me a bit nervous. I use 1/2 inch endmills most of the time since I don't do much delicate work. In the past if I needed to cut a small groove I used a slitting saw in the mill and mounted the work vertically. That is a bit scary also. I don't think I will be doing many cutaways but with more home/idle time available who knows what I will be up to?

Rick

[GWiens2001]

Some cutaways are made using larger mills to cut away the bulk of the material, then something finer to cut to the pin channel.

I am not a machinist, so am only trying to offer ideas that may or may not be practical.

Gordon