[FC] key barrel

[Paul Steinberg]

I have tried to make a replacement set, however the cuts are so precise that they usually don't duplicate well.  There are 67 keys in the set to give you an idea of how close each cut is to the next.  I originally had a 6 key set that worked perfectly every time, however I loaned it to someone and it never came back.  I tried to duplicate that set and was never able to get the keys to work as well as the originals.  The locksmith that I got my original set from told me that the factory made them on a special machine that would cut the highs and lows on a 1/2 + - cutter and that is why they work.  They are splitting the differences in the highs and lows of the tumblers and "fooling" the cylinder into believing the key is correct.  This is the reason that trying to cut a duplicate key doesn't work well.  It is like making a copy of a copy of a copy.  Second and third generation keys work sometimes, but not all times.  I also have a key cutter that I can cut the original key from number once I get the cylinder out.   Hope that this explanation is clear.   Paul in CT
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bryan Blackwell 
  To: The Corvanatics list 
  Sent: Monday, October 03, 2005 9:47 PM
  Subject: Re: [FC] key barrel


  If you had enough blanks and a cutter couldn't you make a set?  I 
  realize that doesn't work if some are missing, but I'm thinking more 
  for a backup set, or if a shop was looking for a set (I'd guess most of 
  them have one, but you never know).

  --Bryan

  On Oct 3, 2005, at 9:42 PM, Paul Steinberg wrote:

  > I am very protective of my set since they are no longer made and 
  > impossible to replace.  Paul in Ct

  _______________________________________________
  Corvanatics mailing list
  Corvanatics at corvair.org
  http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/listinfo/corvanatics
  This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, http://www.corvair.org/