I’ve also made a few and have to admit the larger diameters make easier work of cutting the slots than the smaller sizes.
I did a couple of cabinet size (for a Sampson Mordan) and struggled, but luckily only had 3 or 4 actual cuts. There’s no way I could do a modern bramah with 7 slots cut in ؼ″ 316 stainless steel ! That’s bordering on wizardry !
Always wondered what the factory machines were like that cut them- working on the shaper principle perhaps, using a linear reciprocating action at 90 degrees to the key shaft ?
And, whether using a very short toothed blade of sorts, or a single point tool as on a shaping machine? Im guessing it’s definitely not a circular cutter with such limited clearance within the tip of the key- often wondered..
The spiral tipped example here is loosely based on the challenge trophy key(always wanted one), but wanted this heavily gold-plated so made in brass to take the electroplating.
Cutting the spiral tip was actually a lot more challenging than first thought and changes the visual perspective of the key tip dramatically.
We used to see Jeremy Bramah a lot at MLA meetings but never did get to actually see the London works.
PS Doug, very nice work there great to see your work again
