Help using key duplicator machine to notch small rods

hmm.. so you need capability of 2 different cuts..? cut IN and cut OFF?

a SHARP pointed V to notch INTO the came? and another that will just cut it off at an angle?

if thats so, then the CHEAPEST way out IMO would be a Fowley Belsaw duplicator.. with all of the key holder parts removed and a 'small table saw' type table constructed instead..

they come with the V duplicator wheen, ANd a safe deposit slotter wheel as well .045 thick..

the V wheel is about a quarter inch wide.. make an adjustable double fence that would 'fit in a groove' of the table, which slides a bit.. and you would be ok, maybe??

--Shiva--

Foley-Belsaw duplicator, model 200 is the perfect machine for your needs. Additionally, they are probably the least expensive because so many are out there.

Thanks very much! I'll start looking for a Foley-Belsaw 200 right away. There are none on EBay, it seems - are there rules against selling key duplicators?

can be...

suggestion..

the PUBLIC sector.. post there.. I am in X city and am interested in a Fowley Belsaw duplicator.. any close by?

--Shiva--

OK, btw, its a 'pretty cheap' priced machine..dollar wise, I would not want to pay a LOT for it at all.. $50 maybe would be my limit if pretty good shape and complete..

--Shiva--

Thanks, Shiva. I'll post there and see if there are any nearby. I can imagine that they're fairly heavy if they had to be shipped any distance.

actually not.. under 15#? with motor? and am GUESSING.. the big thing is what people think they are worth..

--Shiva--

I think that using a key machine to do this might be annoying to say the least. The diameter of the blade is going to give you a hollow cut which will probably cause for some mischief when soldering, also indexing will be a pain as the vise assembly is not suited for the came.

What might work real slick is a small table saw like the one Dremmel makes. Practicly useless for wood working, but I suspect it might be ideal for cutting miters on the came.

Yes, there are rules against the duplicators. Don't know why. It's not like you can't take a key to the hardware store and have them copy a key anyway.

You might want to ask this guy if he'll sell the duplicators to you:

Sunsh> Thanks very much! I'll start looking for a Foley-Belsaw 200 right

Check out Harbor Freight. They have a small metal cutting saw that might be just what you are looking for. Wayne

Harbor Freight ? that should be good for about 3 jobs :-)

Zinc isn't a very hard material. My dad made stained glass lamps and such years ago, but he used lead channel in his, this would cut very easily. Either should cut fine on the harbor freight tool, just don't jam the stuff through, the blade can and will break, very thin. Wayne

On that note, I do agree with "Key about the majority of Harbor Freight tools, but you can find some gems, even in a pile of crap....lol. Wayne

I do wood lathe stuff, and there is in the lathe tools there (or used to be) a VERY nicely rated set of wood turning tools available.. and the price, compared to some others is a nice bargain.. --Shiva--

I just know that every "harbor freight tool" that I have purchased didn't hold up very well. (guess ya get what ya pay for)

my2¢

More accurately, you don't get what you aren't willing to pay for, and when you want something in the worst way that's the way you generally get it.

I've had simpler HF stuff hold up reasonably well; one of my dial calipers came from them and while it isn't the most accurate I've seen it's Good Enough for occasional use.

well ? I had a charger last for about 3 months. a jump box last around 8 months. a drill last, actually about a month. a dolly wheel bearings wear out in about 6 months. a saw that dulled after the second use. a ratchet strip out on the first use. a hammer drill last about three jobs. I bought them all at the same time and haven't been back to HF again.

(I got what I paid for) my2¢