HPC Trace-A-Key 3344HQT User manual

Trace-A-Key®
Semi-Automatic Key Duplicator
040413 36334-000-00
© 2013 HPC • Schiller Park, IL • 60176 • USA • www.hpcworld.com
No. 3344HQT
Exploded View
&
Parts List Inside

Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of this Trace-A-Key®machine. We appreciate your business.
Please read this manual to become familiar with the features and operation of your new machine.
To initiate your warranty, please complete and return the Warranty Registration Card, along with a
copy of your invoice.
This machine has been calibrated and tested and it is ready to cut accurate keys right out of the box.
(you only need to install the two handles).
The Trace-A-Key®is equipped with a high-quality tool steel cutter that provides fast and smooth
cutting. For longer cutter life (especially when cutting thicker or harder blanks), an optional carbide
cutter (No. CW-41HQC) is available.
We are confident your Trace-A-Key®will provide years of reliable service for you. If you have any
questions or comments about this machine (or any HPC products), please contact us.
HPC, Inc.
3999 N. 25th Avenue
Schiller Park, IL 60176 U.S.A.
Tel: [phone] (from U.S.A. and Canada)
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
www.hpcworld.com
Index
Introduction, Packing Checklist and Parts Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.0 Set-Up .........................................................3
2.0 GaugingandHoldingKeys ........................................6
3.0 DuplicatingKeys ...............................................13
4.0 Depth Adjustment ...............................................20
5.0 Space Adjustment ...............................................24
6.0 Exploded Views and Parts Lists ....................................28
7.0 Preventive Maintenance/Warranty/Service............................32
1

STANDARD RED TIP STOP (2)
NO. CM-1054MA
CUTTER/ADJUSTMENT WRENCH
NO. WRENCH-1
DOUBLE-ANGLE
TOOL STEEL CUTTER
NO. CW-42HQT
ALLEN WRENCHES
NO. WRENCH-2 5/64-inch
NO. WREN
NO. WRENCH-9 1/8-inch
CH-4 3/32-inch
CUTTER WRENCH
NO. WRENCH-3
TRACE-A-KEY®
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Packing Checklist
(INSTALLED)
OPTIONAL
CARBIDE CUTTER
NO. CW-41HQC
CUTTER HEAD
CUTTER
WING NUT
TOP VISE JAW
BOTTOM VISE JAW
KNOB
BALL BEARING
WASHER SET
BRUSH GUARD
DRIVE BELT
TRACER PIN
LEVER
DEPTH ADJUSTMENT KNOB
LEVER HUB
CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY
MOTOR
CARRIAGE HANDLE
CUTTER NUT
SWITCH
TIP STOP
BELT GUARD
BRUSH NUT
BRUSH
Parts Designation
2

3
Screw the lever into the hub
.
Pull the carriage down by the
wing nut and hold.
1.0 Set-Up
Trace-A-Key®

4
While holding the carriage
down move the lever to the
left until it stops.
Now slowly release the carriage
into the rest position.
Trace-A-Key®

5
Screw the carriage handle into
the carriage.
Note the proper angle.
Trace-A-Key®

6
JAW A JAW B
Vise jaw A is used for all standard keys with the deepest cut no less than .142 inches.
Jaw B is used for small keys that use cuts of such great depth that a lip on the jaw is
provided to hold the key closer to the cutter.
If the key should tip when placed in jaw A, such as a Best™key, you can use jaw B. Fit the
key groove onto the lip of the jaw so that the key rests firmly against the back of the jaw.
Use this method only if there is a problem holding the key in place.
2.0 Gauging and Holding Keys
Trace-A-Key®

7
Note: Be sure to tighten the wing nut and swing the Shoulder Gauge back down before starting the cutting process.
Keys with shoulders are gauged by placing them squarely into the vise assembly and swinging the key Shoulder
Gauge upward. The key is moved laterally, as required, until the key’s shoulder just touches the left hand surface of
the gauge.
Keys without shoulders are properly gauged by using the Red Tip Gauge (CM-1054MA). The bottom of the tip
gauge has several grooves, allowing it to be held in different positions by a spring loaded ball bearing. These tip
gauges are pulled back to the first position, where they are held within the base of the lower jaw safely out of the
path of the cutting wheel.
Red Tip
Gauge
Position 2
Red Tip
Gauge
Wing
Nut
Shoulder
Gauge
In the third position, the Red Tip Gauge is sent forward into the third groove and this is the proper setting for old,
5-pin Ford keys. To clamp and gauge double sided Ford type keys, the offset of the key is set against the face of the
jaw. Slide the key to the right until the tip butts against the tip gauge and tighten the wing nut. The blank is held off
the key rest by this method, thereby eliminating the need for any special blocks.
Note: Red Tip Gauge should be pulled back to position 1 or removed when cutting shoulder gauged keys.
Position 3
Position 2
Position 1
Red (Plastic) Tip Gauge No. CM-1054MA
Position 1: Out of the way
Position 2: Best
Position 3: Ford
Position 3
Red Tip
Gauge
Red Tip
Gauge
Trace-A-Key®

Standard Cylinder Key With Shoulder Gauging Using Jaw A
Place the key blank in Jaw A. Raise the Shoulder Gauge to its upright position. Position the
key blank with the shoulder of the key lightly touching the left hand edge of Shoulder Gauge
(avoid undue pressure – see Note below).
Note: The spacing of the key cuts can be significantly affected by any damage incurred to the Shoulder Gauge.
Handle the Shoulder Gauge with care! Damage to the Shoulder Gauge most often occurs when the gauge
comes in contact with the cutter, or when undue pressure is used when gauging against the key’s shoulder.
Make sure to gently position the key blank against the Shoulder Gauge to avoid damage.
8
Make sure the Tip Gauge (if installed) is out of the way. The Red Tip Gauge is
pulled to the rear and safely in the detent position (Position 1) before continuing.
Position 1
Red Tip
Gauge
Trace-A-Key®

Tighten the Wing Nut and flip the Shoulder Gauge down before continuing.
9
Make sure the key is lying flat against the back of the Bottom Jaw before
tightening the Wing Nut.
Note: Wing Nut and Top Jaw of vise removed to show top view of the Bottom Jaw only,
for key positioning.
Trace-A-Key®