My 8th and 9th homebrew keys
- Thread starter nt9k
- Start date
nt9k
Active Member
Thanks Mark, the metal parts on both those keys are brass. I buy the posts and lever parts by the foot, fabricate them and polished with a buffing wheel. I used to do all that by hand. These 2 keys are the first that I used the buffing wheel on. Makes the job much quicker.
I have had my eye on a gold plating kit from Caswell. I have the chrome plating kit and it works great, doesn't make a mess or have nasty fumes. It's really fun to chrome plate parts, but most guys want brass.
I have had my eye on a gold plating kit from Caswell. I have the chrome plating kit and it works great, doesn't make a mess or have nasty fumes. It's really fun to chrome plate parts, but most guys want brass.
nt9k
Active Member
Thanks Mark, well gold plating would look better for longer. I haven't yet started using any clear coat on my keys. I plan to, but its another learning curve. Another advantage to gold plating is it would match gold knobs that I can buy from Guitar shops. I use store bought knobs for my adjusters on the pump keys.
I don't have a lathe yet. I have experimented with turning solid surface key knobs on my drill, but not the adjuster knobs from brass. I want to learn to do those some day.
Before I got the buffing wheel, I used to spend 40 to 60 hours or more polishing a keys parts. I have weeks polishing time in that Navy Flameproof key. I enjoy doing it when I am able. I do the hand polishing, sitting on my living room couch. That's right, I don't have an XYL, hi.
I don't have a lathe yet. I have experimented with turning solid surface key knobs on my drill, but not the adjuster knobs from brass. I want to learn to do those some day.
Before I got the buffing wheel, I used to spend 40 to 60 hours or more polishing a keys parts. I have weeks polishing time in that Navy Flameproof key. I enjoy doing it when I am able. I do the hand polishing, sitting on my living room couch. That's right, I don't have an XYL, hi.
nt9k
Active Member
I got to have a QSO last night with a guy who was using my key #7. That was pretty cool working my own key on the air. I have worked nearly all of my keys on the air except #9. That person hasn't yet learned to swipe yet. I usually put a note in with my keys, saying they owe me a QSO using the key, with 1 year to pay. 
nt9k
Active Member
Hi Mark, yes these are plain sideswipers, not single lever paddles. I only provide 2 binding posts and tie the 2 adjuster posts together.
I do custom make keys to sell, but I have a long waiting list. Due to my health problems, I am slower than Christmas. I never take any money up front either. I'm afraid of going SK and having someones money. So, when I add someone to my waiting list, they have to agree to my conditions.
I was a bit reluctant to post this message. I have NEVER advertised making keys for sale, anywhere. I started making them for myself to use and because it was fun. Blew me away when people started asking me to make them a key. I'm not into it for the money and I don't like to sell my keys to anyone who plans to put it on a shelf. I want my keys to be used. When I send a key to the owner, I put a note in the box, saying they owe me a QSO using that key.
I do custom make keys to sell, but I have a long waiting list. Due to my health problems, I am slower than Christmas. I never take any money up front either. I'm afraid of going SK and having someones money. So, when I add someone to my waiting list, they have to agree to my conditions.
I was a bit reluctant to post this message. I have NEVER advertised making keys for sale, anywhere. I started making them for myself to use and because it was fun. Blew me away when people started asking me to make them a key. I'm not into it for the money and I don't like to sell my keys to anyone who plans to put it on a shelf. I want my keys to be used. When I send a key to the owner, I put a note in the box, saying they owe me a QSO using that key.
G4HAA
Administrator
What can I say Bill, credit where it is due. Your keys are excellent!
I bet when someone said of the Mona Lisa, "Wow, what an excellent picture dude!", Leonardo replied, "Nah dude, it's just a doodle man"...
I know that I can honestly say that the first time I saw some photos of your keys I was 'blown away', and they just get better and better.
Forget Begali, let's have a Billy!
Mark.
I bet when someone said of the Mona Lisa, "Wow, what an excellent picture dude!", Leonardo replied, "Nah dude, it's just a doodle man"...
I know that I can honestly say that the first time I saw some photos of your keys I was 'blown away', and they just get better and better.
Forget Begali, let's have a Billy!
Mark.
nt9k
Active Member
Thanks mark, someone once told me I should call my pump key an AmpliBill. Honestly, I didn't know I had it in me. I only took 1 shop class in school and never was very creative in my younger years.
The real reason I started building keys was because I couldn't get an amplidan. A real good friend loaned me his amplidan and I studied and measured it and decided that I could make my own. My first key didn't turn out that great, but the 2nd one was real good and I still use it today.
I can only attribute my key making to all the free time I have. I should have another one done in about a month. This one is going to be extra special!!!
The real reason I started building keys was because I couldn't get an amplidan. A real good friend loaned me his amplidan and I studied and measured it and decided that I could make my own. My first key didn't turn out that great, but the 2nd one was real good and I still use it today.
I can only attribute my key making to all the free time I have. I should have another one done in about a month. This one is going to be extra special!!!
