Duplicate Keys

M

metro1

Senior Member
I purchased 2 Ford key blanks off the internet. I have been to 3 different places including a locksmith to have them cut to match my old ones. They all say it's against their policy to use customer supplied key blanks and the locksmith said it could damage his machine because of unknown metal that they could be made from. Has anyone else encountered this?
 
2 years ago I installed a Ford remote start on my truck, kit came with keys. The local locksmith had no problems cutting the blanks for me. Never knew there could be a problem and locksmith never mentioned it. There is a member here on the Barn that cuts keys, maybe he can help you.
 
I did have a new set made using their blanks but I wanted to use these original looking blanks I bought. I still have some more places to check so it might still work out. I just thought it was unusual that they would not use my blanks.
 
metro1 said:
. . . I just thought it was unusual that they would not use my blanks.
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Their key machine may be an inexpensive version made off-shore, with inexpensive soft brass key blanks from the same supplier.
The cutting blade (key vice or motor?) may have have been damaged by key blanks made of 'real' metal. So now the store policy is no keys made with blanks from outside sources.
.
 
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This very interesting K R Wilson key cutter is advertised for sale by ML28 in the For Sale Section on Ford Barn. This could be the solution to your problem?
 
BTW -

CURTIS INDUSTRIES was an outside supplier to dealers. It was much cheaper than the GENUINE FORD KEY CUTTER(S).

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In addition to using your workbench vice and small file, I would highly suggest setting up your workbench grinder motor with a wire-wheel so you can be sure that you have any burrs knocked off the newly filed keys prior to sticking them in the lock.
 
The first place I tried was an Ace Hardware. I was told it's against their policy to use customer supplied blanks. I will be checking out other places soon.
 
I used to be a salesman for Curtis Industries 50 years ago. They made key duplicator machines and also the key code cutters. Almost every car dealer had the Curtis Key code cutter in their parts department to cut keys by code. They were pretty universal but with the proliferation of foreign cars, they had to make a lot of carriages to cut all the different keys required. If you find an old line locksmith, he may have a Curtis key code cutter and can cut the key by code. even if you don't have the code, there is a cheap metal gauge that comes with the cutters that allows you to reverse read the depths of the cuts to duplicate the key.
 
Ace Hardware did mine from my blanks, even was able to copy a broken in 1/2 trunk key. But I spend a lot of coin there.
 
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