How To Keep Your Key Cutting Machine Clean

A key cutting machine is a crucial tool for locksmiths and other professionals who offer key cutting or duplicating services for their customers. If you want your cutting tool to last, you need to prioritize routine cleaning and maintenance procedures. Maintaining your key cutting machine is crucial to ensuring that it performs optimally and continues to cut keys with efficiency and precision. Protect your investment and prolong the life of your machine with this guide on how to keep your key cutting machine clean and in top condition.

Remove Metal Chips Between Every Key

One of the most common issues with key cutting machines is the accumulation of metal chips and debris. These tiny particles can obstruct the cutting process and even damage your machine over time.

That’s why one of the most important steps to cleaning your key cutting machine is keeping it clear of metal chips. When you cut new keys, you produce a lot of metal chips and other debris. If you don’t clear this away, it builds up and makes it harder for the machine to cut cleanly and accurately on the next key. This buildup can also harm electrical components and dull the cutter quickly.

Remove the metal chips with a shop vacuum or a small, dry brush such as a paintbrush. Do not use compressed air, as this can push metal chips further into the machine and cause damage. As you clean the machine, be sure to also brush any debris off the vise jaws so you can get a clean and even grip on every key you cut. You should also clean the carriage shaft by wiping it down with an oiled cloth. Performing these quick cleaning tasks between every key you cut helps ensure precision, efficiency, and safety when using the machine.

Store Your Machine Properly

Proper storage is crucial for prolonging the life and efficiency of your key cutting machine. When it’s not in use, ensure that you store your machine in a dry, dust-free environment, avoiding exposure to excess moisture, extreme temperatures, and other unfavorable environmental conditions. This can prevent any buildup of debris, rust, or other harmful substances that could impact the performance of your machine.

Additionally, consider using a protective cover or casing, especially if your key cutting machine is exposed to harsh environments or potential hazards. This simple measure can safeguard your investment and help it maintain its value over time.

Be Careful With Cleaning Products

While cleaning your key cutting machine is important, using the wrong cleaning products can do more harm than good. Many cleaning agents contain harsh chemicals that can corrode, discolor, or damage the delicate components of your machine. To avoid these issues, make sure you use only manufacturer-recommended products or other mild cleaning solutions specifically designed for key cutting machines.

Dry brushes and soft clothes with machine-safe solutions are ideal for cleaning your machine. Avoid any harsh scrubbing or scraping that can scratch or damage the machine’s surface. Finally, never use water to clean your machine, as it can cause rust, harm the electrical components, and increase your risk of other moisture-related issues, such as mold.

Perform Regular Inspections

In addition to learning how to keep your key cutting machine clean, it’s important to prioritize preventative maintenance on your key cutting machines. This often starts with inspections. Routine inspections allow you to identify potential issues early, prevent major damage, and ensure the machine continues to operate smoothly.

Your machine inspections should include a general examination to spot accumulated dust, dirt, or metal shavings. You should also check screws and other fastening parts to ensure they’re tight and secure. Keep an eye out for general wear and tear and make sure carriage studs and shafts, clamps, bearing washers, and other parts are in good condition. This is also a good time to inspect the machine’s drive belt tension and tighten it as necessary.

Stay on Top of Lubrication

Proper lubrication is essential for the efficient functioning of any mechanical device, and key cutting machines are no exception. Regular lubrication ensures that the moving parts work smoothly, reducing friction and prolonging the life of your machine.

Consult your machine’s user manual for the recommended lubricant and application frequency. Avoid using low-quality products, as they may harm your machine in the long run. When lubricating your machine, apply a small amount of lubricant evenly throughout the required areas. After applying the lubricant, make sure you clean up the excess to prevent it from accumulating on your machine and causing performance issues.

Monitor and Maintain Cutters

The precision of your key cutting machine is largely dependent on the condition of its cutting blades. Keeping these cutters sharp and in good working order is essential for efficient and accurate key making.

Take time to inspect your cutter regularly to ensure the edges are always sharp. Keep an eye out for signs of a dull cutter during operation. These indicators include longer cutting times, a change in the sound as the machine cuts a key, and an excess of metal burrs on the keys you produce.

You should also clean your cutters regularly. Remove any debris from the cutting blades with a brush or shop vacuum. As always, make sure you switch off and unplug the machine before cleaning, inspecting, or making adjustments of any kind to the blades.

Be Smart With Replacement Parts

As with any machine, some parts of your key cutter may wear down over time. This is a normal part of machine usage, but it’s still crucial to pay attention to the condition of your parts so you can make fast and effective repairs. Replacing single parts is much more cost-effective than replacing the whole machine—but only if you choose the right replacements.

Choosing high-grade parts from reputable manufacturers is a smart investment in your machine’s performance and durability. Remember that low-quality parts can compromise your machine’s efficiency and cause further damage in the long run. When looking for key cutting machine parts, pay attention to manufacturer instructions and part specifications to make sure your replacements work optimally and enable the key cutter to continue operating at its best.

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