Are they made of aluminum? I have the original keys that came with my car from the dealership back in 1978, but there is no brass in them, they are a solid material key.
Is it at all possible to get key blanks cut into aluminum, or would I have to go to a machine shop and have it done custom?
Here is a shot of my original keys. They are quite worn, but still in once piece and functional with the original lock cylinders!
Aluminum keys do not last as long as steel keys. They are softer and wear out sooner. There are several suppliers of original key blanks on eBay and the originals should not be hard to locate. Most key shops can supply key blanks that will work but they may not be original.
Yeah, at the moment I am using a set of keys that I bought off of ebay as blanks. They are the coated brass keys like I have seen on ebay all the time.
I am primarily looking into getting a set of aluminum blanks to have cut, and keep them around for nostalgia sake. Just to have a set of original material keys that are in mint condition.
I have bought both the aluminum Ford key blanks and the heavier brass ones on eBay, depending on what project I'm working on. I work in a hospital maintenance and engineering department and we happen to have a locksmith on staff who has always cut my keys for me, although most any Walmart, Home Depot, or hardware store, etc. should be able to handle it.
Dwayne :smile:
Well if you happen to run across a nice set of aluminum Ford's for a Pinto (or other car, that would fit), would you let me know? So far I haven't found anything and I check ebay every 3 days or so.
Try wwwjessersclassickeys.com They are at the major old car swapmeets and advertise in many old car publications.
I emailed them inquiring about late 70's aluminum Ford key blanks. I will let you guys know what I get back.