Re: Key cutting without a blank

Feb 15, 2026 Last reply: 5 months ago 2 Replies

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Peter Johnson 5 months ago

>
>A friend has a padlock type key and wants to get some copies made.. >
>But the lock is Swedish and nowhere he has tried in the UK has been able
>(or maybe willing) to duplicate it.
>
>Does anyone know.
>
>How do the self service key cutting vending machines work? Do they rely on
>blanks? Or do they scan the keys and 3d print them?
>
>Alternatively? Any suggestions for real licksmiths who could make duplicate
>keys from scratch?
>
>Or any other suggestions?

Contact the lock maker? Do they have a website? Or a UK distributor? If the locks were imported into the UK you'd expect the requirement for spare/replacement keys to have been considered.

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Tim+ 5 months ago

Whilst the machines don’t buff the edges, in my experience they do a very good job. Certainly superior to some of my local key cutters. No doubt a “proper” locksmith would do better but they’re not always available.

Tim

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Davey 5 months ago

Last year, I wanted a key cut. Morrison's has a Timpson D-I-Y machine, it ate my money and refused to give me a new key. I complained to Timpson's, who to their credit suggested the machines in Tesco and Screwfix. They were all defective in some way. I relayed this to Timpson's, who accepted that this was not good, and also arranged for me to get my key cut free of charge at the local shop. They said that they quickly fixed the duff machines.

I was impressed with their response.

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