abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Hi all, hadn't had any key returns in ages, then all of a sudden got about 5 last week. Changed the blade on the bravo prof. The old blade was in since xmas. I'm just trying to learn some ways to maximise accuracy. I got up to 7 keys before the keys were sticky in the lock.. So I cut the first key, then made a copy of the key using the cut key, then a copy of the 2nd cut key with another key and so on... is getting to 7 before its sticky good? or should I aim for better... also closely examining the keys, they are developing these little spikes in each cut.(4th photo) What causes this? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1 Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Always when replacing with a new cutter set up the machine again I always cut the test key to the door in my store or any new lock I have for sale Calibration is very important sometimes the tracer is worn out abababa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Do you have a good quality vernier caliper ?. Key cutters most important tool. abababa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 2 minutes ago, simon1 said: Always when replacing with a new cutter set up the machine again I always cut the test key to the door in my store or any new lock I have for sale Calibration is very important sometimes the tracer is worn out I have calibrated it... It's tickling ever so slightly when i prepare two keys. I'm happy that it's calibrated correctly. I tested keys for 7 to 8 locks and they all work perfectly. But these little jags inbetween cuts are making me think there's a problem with the tracer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Not had those little bumps happen before but it's definitely not right!! They're getting progressively worse every cut but shouldn't even be starting. I can't even think how they would start, as a copy should be exactly that. Is it just this key or does it also happen with a completely different lock make using a different blank? abababa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 9 minutes ago, grahamparker said: Do you have a good quality vernier caliper ?. Key cutters most important tool. I got one in lidl when i went in for a bottle of milk and came out with £200 worth of tools... I'm not sure it's quality. I have trouble with it to be honest... If you grip things from a slightly different angle it changes the reading. Ill get back to figuring it out soon though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 2 minutes ago, Michael said: Not had those little bumps happen before but it's definitely not right!! They're getting progressively worse every cut but shouldn't even be starting. I can't even think how they would start, as a copy should be exactly that. Is it just this key or does it also happen with a completely different lock make using a different blank? it's every key as far as i can see. Although ive only been paying close attention recently Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 18 minutes ago, Michael said: Not had those little bumps happen before but it's definitely not right!! They're getting progressively worse every cut but shouldn't even be starting. I can't even think how they would start, as a copy should be exactly that. Is it just this key or does it also happen with a completely different lock make using a different blank? They seem to be getting gradually worse. Ive sent Pics over to Charles Birch to see if they suggest a new tracer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Muppet Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 I’ve seen this loads of times, different shops with different machines, sometimes timpson keys sometimes independents. as far as I can see it results from rushed key cutting. You need to slow down over the low points to make sure you don’t bump over them. whenever I see them in the new key I file them away, but only on he new key just in case. This normally fixes the problem Fast Fix Elgin, abababa, ponsaloti and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 are they only showing up on deep cuts ? abababa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 1 minute ago, grahamparker said: are they only showing up on deep cuts ? Nope all cuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 3 minutes ago, Count Muppet said: I’ve seen this loads of times, different shops with different machines, sometimes timpson keys sometimes independents. as far as I can see it results from rushed key cutting. You need to slow down over the low points to make sure you don’t bump over them. whenever I see them in the new key I file them away, but only on he new key just in case. This normally fixes the problem I don't think I'm going that fast. The blade is razor sharp so I'm going pretty quick I guess. But maybe 25 seconds per key... I'm not racing through them... I will do a slow one and compare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Gone through this again, going slowly on the machine... now the 7th cut of a cut is working as good as the first... and no random jags. Guess that's the thing with working on your own, you can get into bad habits and not even realise it without having someone to point it out. Thanks for all the replies keithm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Count nailed the problem for you then SPEED slow down take your time be more precise. keithm and abababa 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 25 seconds per key is not fast!! Maybe check the carriage spring to make sure it's pulling the key to the cutter enough? abababa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abababa Posted April 17, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 1 minute ago, Michael said: 25 seconds per key is not slow!! Maybe check the carriage spring to make sure it's pulling the key to the cutter enough? I would go over it about 4 or 5 times in this period. So maybe 4 - 5 seconds per trace. That's the way i was taught but it's probably not right. How many times would you run it through the cutter? Would you do back and forth or just one direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 I'm a bit OCD so it's the same EVERY time....down and back, repeat to make sure!! 4 or 5 seconds to get to the end of a 6 pin key is about right abababa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broms Cobb Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 Great topic well thought out interesting to read. Thanks i'm sure this one will help most, GLENGRAVING 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngcobbler Posted April 23, 2019 Report Share Posted April 23, 2019 It will 100% help my colleague, went to shop on my day off and watch him cut key and he cuts them like he is in gym lol and superman the key cutting process, I told him it’s ok but to be more accurate start to love the machine and be gentle with cutting keys slowly take a layer off, the another if need to and slowly reach the teeths and then work them properly and slowly always watch the key. Make sure key doesn’t move due to pressure. very good topic indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da miller Posted April 24, 2019 Report Share Posted April 24, 2019 the key you are using is very poor quality to copy down to 7 times these keys are very good from the original key but silca or jma u5/6d will give better result Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamparker Posted April 24, 2019 Report Share Posted April 24, 2019 43 minutes ago, da miller said: the key you are using is very poor quality to copy down to 7 times these keys are very good from the original key but silca or jma u5/6d will give better result I disagree, The accuracy of the machine and how it is set up plus the state of the cutter are more important than the quality of the blanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
da miller Posted April 24, 2019 Report Share Posted April 24, 2019 there's nothing wrong with machine 7copys is very good if he is setting by eye as in 2blanks to hear the tingle the blanks are poor quality to copy down so far as i said off a original all day long from a copy use a better blank and i buy citysafe in 1,000s and silca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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