BMW touring panniers 3d key printing.

[Rob Frankham]

...The problem is, of course, that each key number will require a different blank.

Yep. But...
as it's only the first 5mm that matters it'll be a much easier task to mill the profile. The blank can be made as a solid with the usual precut as that aspect is common to all keys. If it's some 3D print material it might be easy to do with due care.
Some of the keys are flat on one side too so even easier with just the one side to fiddle with.

I envisage having a blank on a drill press with the appropriate width bit and just mill the blank accordingly. Anyhow, that's a current thought. I have a bunch of small bits that should help. The square profile likely easy enough, but the triangular ones may provide another complication.


More talk tomorrow with the guy that's doing the printing. I haven't chatted to him about this since early last week.

Agreed, my comment was about the use of commercial key blanks that 'just happen' to match the sections used in the BMW keys. Anyone with a suitable milling setup should be able to produce keys by the dozen. As I've said, I've done it succeffully using a dremel and small files... although I wouldn't class the result as pretty. the only real problem is getting the section for keys you don't have. Mind you, you can make a pretty good and useable approximation if you have the lock, even if you don't have a key...

Rob

[SteveD]

Well I spoke to the guy with the 3D printer and when using the pla printing filament the product looks good but is very brittle when used in the lock. Disappointing.
We discussed alternatives without a resolution but dremelling the keyway from a solid blank was mentioned. The chardie then overtook the beer and that was the end of the discussion hick