How stubborn are you?

[ccfl]

I mean, how much would it cost to have this done at the hardware store? A few bucks each? No Sir, no way am I going to pay someone to do that for me.

On purpose I did not do any research on how to do this properly, I decided to figure it out by experimentation. I have lots of blanks. I did learn that the index point is from the tip of the keys - at first I thought the reference was the notch up near the handle. It is not, that notch isn't consistent from key to key. I had to remachine the center block slightly and after that, all the newly cut keys work perfect.

1/8" 3 flute endmill. The shank above the flutes rides against the Master key to trace the pattern.

[continued...]

[ccfl]

One side done, flip over in the fixture and cut the other side.

This is a new-to-me 2006, thankfully it doesn't use the high dollar PK3+ transponder keys. I got a bulk lot of blanks off Ebay for something like $0.20 each, only wasted 4 of 'em figuring out how not to do it.

[Glenn Brooks]

Great Project

[liveaboard]

Pretty stubborn but not that stubborn.

A towtruck driver told me half his work is those key code transponder devices locking up, and cars needing to go to the dealers for resetting.
As my car was already 10 yeas old and I only had one chip key for it, I got in there and removed the engine lock solenoid, so it starts and runs without a chip.
Now it's 17 years old. No salt on the roads this far south, so the tin work won't be what kills it.

[Harold_V]

Nice job on the keys.

I've made a few keys in the past couple years. Two of them were for old furniture, where I had locks, but no keys. Dismantling the locks made it pretty easy to figure out what the keys needed to look like, and they turned out quite nicely. Even did black oxide on them.

I own a little Kubota tractor. I was informed by the dealership that all keys for any given series are alike. They're also very proud of them, demanding no less than $6.00 for a simple key. Having experienced more than one breakage (the preheat is through the key, and it's heavily spring loaded, so the key flexes considerably), I wasn't keen on spending that kind of money for a key that had a questionable lifespan, so I made one from some sheet stainless. Took quite a bit of time, as it required considerable setup, but it turned out well, and has large wings, so holding the key while the glow plugs heat is a lot easier now.

Yeah, like you, I'm pretty damned stubborn. Not about to pay an unreasonable fee for something that is mass produced.

Harold

[Magicniner]

Stubborn enough to do a very similar thing, but using CAD/CAM/CNC

[RSG]

LOL, not that stubborn......you must have lots of time on your hands. I don't nice job though!

[shorttrackhack]

Last year, I made keys for an F-350 after the originals were lost. I realize that I'm way too stubborn to ever learn not to spend a whole day repairing something that could be replaced for $50.00.

[John Hasler]

Nice job on the keys.

I've made a few keys in the past couple years. Two of them were for old furniture, where I had locks, but no keys. Dismantling the locks made it pretty easy to figure out what the keys needed to look like, and they turned out quite nicely. Even did black oxide on them.

I own a little Kubota tractor. I was informed by the dealership that all keys for any given series are alike. They're also very proud of them, demanding no less than $6.00 for a simple key. Having experienced more than one breakage (the preheat is through the key, and it's heavily spring loaded, so the key flexes considerably), I wasn't keen on spending that kind of money for a key that had a questionable lifespan, so I made one from some sheet stainless. Took quite a bit of time, as it required considerable setup, but it turned out well, and has large wings, so holding the key while the glow plugs heat is a lot easier now.

Yeah, like you, I'm pretty damned stubborn. Not about to pay an unreasonable fee for something that is mass produced.

Harold

I've found that toggle switches make excellent replacements for tractor ignition switches.

[warmstrong1955]

I'm kinda partial to Cole Hersee rotary switches.....if you can't tell by the pic.
A complete rewire on a JCB thing....Before I cleaned up the new panel and installed some real labels.

Bill

[Mr Ron]

Learning a new skill is never a waste of time.

[tornitore45]

I think that, on average, the readership of this board is in the upper quarter percentile as stubbornness measure goes. Guilty myself.