Key Cutters

Key cutters are best defined as key cutting machines. These key cutters work by cutting away and shaping the required material and are the primary method for reproducing duplicate keys. Key cutters have a grip or vice and the key blank or flat is inserted and held tight by this mechanism. The original key is fixed into a guide and then moved parallel alongside the blank, which in turn is moved against a wheel which cuts the new/duplicate key. Key cutters produce very sharp edges on the new key , and have to be deburred. This is usually achieved by scrubbing with a metal wire brush. If this deburring process is not carried out the duplicate key will catch/foul inside the lock and could also be dangerously sharp. The more modern key cutters of today are mostly automated and use grinding or milling equipment to produce the desired result.