Jet 9000: Key Duplication With A Twist

Jet Hardware’s new Model 9000 Key Machine offers a unique method for duplicating conventional single and double-sided commercial, residential, automotive and utility keys. When rotated, its Twist-N-Cut Knob moves the vise jaw assembly horizontally across the key follower and the milling cutter.

To duplicate a key, a locksmith lifts the vise jaw assembly by the carriage handle, positioning the key to contact the key follower close to the shoulder or bow. At the same time, the key blank aligns with the cutter. Keeping the key in contact with the key follower, rotate the Twist-N-Cut Knob clockwise while following the pattern of the key's cuts until the key follower/cutter comes near the tip of the blade. The knob is turned between one half and three-quarters of a rotation depending upon the length of the key blade. Then, rotate the Twist-N-Cut Knob counterclockwise towards the bow to finish the cutting process. I normally repeat the cutting process a second time to ensure the key blank has been properly duplicated. Once satisfied, lower the vise jaw assembly and remove the keys.

For accurate key duplication, the Jet 9000 Key Duplicating Machine is equipped with 4-way vise jaws for correct retention of the pattern key and the key blank eliminating the need for adapters. The vise jaws are located 3-3/8 inches apart in order to accommodate long blade key blanks as well as large remote head key blanks.

To change the jaw clamping configuration, loosen the vise handles to allow the spring loaded vise jaws to be lifted, clearing the alignment plates. In this raised position, each vise jaw rotates to the desired side and releases into place.

Important: The pattern key and the key blank vise jaws must have the same configuration in order to accurately duplicate a key.

Each of the vise jaws' four sides has been designed for specific key blade configurations. A number is stamped into the top of each side of the vise jaws.

1. Side 1 is for common commercial, residential and utility key duplication.
2. Side 2 is for securing narrow blade keys or keys with deep cuts.
3. Side 3 has a tab that extends from the front edge of the top and bottom to grip the center milling on difficult-to-hold automotive keys as well as other double sided non-conforming keys that have center millings.
4. Side 4 is for securing wide blade double-sided keys including utility keys. There is a number stamped into the top of each side of the vise jaws.

The vise jaw depths are:

• Side 1:  0.155"
• Side 2: 0.120"
• Side 3: 0.300"
• Side 4: 0.200"

Key Duplicating Tips

When duplicating a key, make sure the depths of all of cuts are visible above the pattern vise jaw. If one or more cuts are not completely visible, use a shallower vise jaw side. For example when duplicating a Yale 997X/Y6, a number seven depth of cut is 0.142". To duplicate this key with a number seven cut, you must use vise jaw side 2 for a properly cut key.

The vise jaw side 3 has a 0.300" clearance to accommodate center milled double-sided key blanks including some Chrysler, Ford, Freightliner, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Saturn.

Non-center milled double-sided key blanks include the General Motors "Z", Honda, Subaru and Toyota key blanks and some Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Saturn key blanks.

The Jet 9000 key machine has a 72 tooth, 2.375" diameter offset milling cutter, 0.196" thick with 40-degree cutter profile angles and a .023"flat. The left side has the smaller profile in order to accommodate close-shouldered keys. This configuration provides a near vertical plunge, limiting the possibility of cutting away the key blank's shoulder. The High Speed Steel (H.S.S.) milling cutter has a Titanium Nitride (TiN) coating. This metallic gold color, hard ceramic coating can improve operational life by helping to maintain the cutter's edge retention and corrosion resistance. The Jet Hardware 9000 key machine's milling cutter part number is 9000MC.

The 9000 is available in both 110 AC and 12v DC, and weighs just 15 lbs, ideal for mobile locksmiths or tight workspaces.

Calibrating The Cutter

To calibrate the milling cutter, the Jet 9000 has a "dial" style adjustment knob that extends and retracts the key follower in relation to the cutter. When the "dial" is turned towards the motor, the key follower moves out from the knob.

Important: Always remove power from the key machine prior to removing or installing the cutter, or when calibrating the cutter.

To calibrate the cutter, first properly secure the same Jet key blanks into each vise jaw. Carefully raise the vise jaw assembly until the key follower or the cutter contacts a key blade. Using your fingers, try to turn the cutter.

A properly calibrated key duplicating machine cutter can be turned with the teeth minimally contacting the blade. If the cutter does not contact the blade, loosen and adjust the "dial" knob slowly counterclockwise until the teeth just contact the blade while the cutter is being finger rotated. The cutter must just contact the key blade as it is being rotated. Once in adjustment, tighten the key follower setscrew.

If the cutter is in contact with the blade and it will not turn using finger pressure, loosen and adjust the "dial" knob slowly clockwise until the teeth just contact the blade while the cutter is being finger rotated. Tighten the setscrew.

Note: There is an Allen screw directly beneath the key follower whose head stops the travel of the vise assembly. In this position, the cutter cannot contact the vise jaw. This screw should never be tightened to the point of allowing the cutter to contact the vise jaw.

The Jet Hardware Model 9000 Key Duplicating Machine is available as an 110VAC version or a 12VDC version. The key machine's motor and the pulley system are contained within the cast body, limiting the possibility of chips or dust affecting the operation.

The Jet 9000 comes with tip stops, Ford Guides and lifting pins. The tip stops are used for non-shoulder keys to properly locate the blades. Ford guides are used to ensure the double-sided Ford key blades are properly seated within the vise jaws for straight cuts. The two sizes of lifting pins are used to raise a key and key blank until the bottom of the cuts are visible in within the side 2 vise jaws.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Jet Hardware, Telephone:  718-257-9600. Web Site: www: www.jetkeys.com.

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