[clintwaaron]

does anybody know where i can get these blasted key blanks cut for a 944/2? i needed a spare set of keys and wanted the oem blanks (purchased through performance parts). i've called baldino's, elite, magic key, HBL, the list goes on, and nobody will cut them. they say it's because the blanks have steel in them. any ideas?

[HoodPin]

Why not go to HomeDepot. I've had a variety of keys cut there, and lately they do a pretty good job. If possible, bring the car w/you to immediately test the key(s). The one I go to (Germantown, MD) uses an automated machine; key in one slot, blank in the other..press the button.

If for some reason HomeDepot won't do them either, try calling District Lock & Hardware, on 8th St in SE DC (near the Marine Barracks). AFAIK, they can do pretty much anything lock related.

[jsaindc]

FWIW, HBL told me that in addition to the key being steel they would not cut it because there is a small cut the activates the starter and if the cut is not made percise the starter could burn out...they told me they would only send the vin of to porsche for a key made at top dollar (can't remember the actual amount but it was high). This sounded strange to me but then I remembered that my 87 needed a new starter only months after I got a key cut from porsche of Arlington. Maybe coincedence maybe not but porsche of Arlington did cut the factory key (steel). good luck.

[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by jsaindc

FWIW, HBL told me that in addition to the key being steel they would not cut it because there is a small cut the activates the starter and if the cut is not made percise the starter could burn out...they told me they would only send the vin of to porsche for a key made at top dollar (can't remember the actual amount but it was high). This sounded strange to me but then I remembered that my 87 needed a new starter only months after I got a key cut from porsche of Arlington. Maybe coincedence maybe not but porsche of Arlington did cut the factory key (steel). good luck.

I only received one key when I bought my '87 911, so I had several copies made at Home Depot or Hechinger's. 10 years later, 'copy' keys are still fine, and so is starter. FWIW, they used their blank stock, not something I brought in special.

[type954]

home depot key system will not be able to cut your key. the new/modern system (also used by Lowes) is the Axxess system that uses cartridges and there are about 9 cartridges. porsche, bmw, mercedes keys (older keys, not modern keys w/chips; traditional keys like house keys) are not associated with any cartridge so the associate you ask will not be able to cut the key because they won't know the correct cartridge to use. probably due to fact that they don't expect to cut that many of those keys, they are a business and if it doesn't sell, it doesn't make sense to stock it. i work in the hardware section of HD located at the circle and have cut may a key, some of them actually worked. if the customer asks if the key will work, i just tell them we will make it work no matter how many times they have to come back. the key machines are not perfect and if a key is miscut, it's not necessarily the fault of the human operator.

OK, you may start the flame posts now!

i have seen a fellow at the porsche swap meets who cuts keys and he has an older style machine where you clamp the keys "side by side". some arm follows the grooves and ridges on the master and the grinder/cutter cuts the copy. that's the type of key cutter you need. off the top of my head, i think arties lock & key near 123 and 50 in fairfax, stalcup in vienna, baldinos in vienna and maybe some of the mom & pop shoe repair or clothing repair have the old style copiers.

[Vicegrip]

Clamp a blank and an existing key together in a vice with them lined up carefully and file away at the blank until it looks like the existing. Take your time and stay level across when making the final little finish cuts. Don't go at it ham-fisted and you can cut a blank yourself with nothing more than a triangle file. I have cut plenty of brass and even some steel keys this way. One time I clamped two to the arm of a lawn chair with a set of vicegrips I bummed from the bartender while at a beach hotel bar pool. Cut the blank into a working key with the girl friends super duty nail file. Took about an hour but the views were very good and beer cold. Can't tell what that particular key was for. Statute of limitations might not have run out yet.

[flatsixcrazy]

I had my 964 keys cut at Fisher Hardware in Springfield. They still have the old-school machine. Andy

[John]

I had a key cut for my 944 at Tischer in Silver Spring last year during the tech inspection that was held there. I'm not positive the blank I gave them was factory (it has a round black rubber head with Porsche crest on it) but they were able to cut it and it does work in all the locks and ignition on my car. I didn't see the guy cut it, so I don't know what he used. The "master" was the only key I had for the car at the time.....which is an old duplicate made on an Ilco blank.

[Rick Lee]

Fischer's Hardware IS THE BEST. I LOVE them.

[clintwaaron]

thanks for all the advice on getting the keys cut. i'm headed to spencer's safe and lock tomorrow in herndon. hopefully they can do it. if not, i'll try fisher in springfield, and then go from there. the general consensus from porsche owners at work and here is that it needs to be done on an old-school machine. it that doesn't work, then i'll just light my hair on fire. if only i didn't have to have these darn oem style blanks. mother of pearl! thanks again.