Honda Civic Flip Key conversion= Head Ache. Help

kPATm · 3 Jan 2013 at 19:13

OK so I all the parts needed to convert my original Civic key and separate fob into a lovely new Flip Key. The only thing I need done is getting the blank key blade cut. I have tried a few key cutters including Timpsons but the miserable buggers refuse to cut the blade as its "not worth it" I have seen a few sites that claim they can cut a new key from a digital image, are these any good. Thanks

rodenal · 3 Jan 2013 at 19:42

Most of the none-chain key cutters will do it for you, probably best just have a wander round and ask

Howard · 3 Jan 2013 at 19:43

kPATm said:
OK so I all the parts needed to convert my original Civic key and separate fob into a lovely new Flip Key. The only thing I need done is getting the blank key blade cut. I have tried a few key cutters including Timpsons but the miserable buggers refuse to cut the blade as its "not worth it" I have seen a few sites that claim they can cut a new key from a digital image, are these any good. Thanks

Timpson quite happily cut my Mondeo's new flip key blade from the old and somewhat worn one that I had before!

kPATm · 3 Jan 2013 at 19:52

He said that since the blank blades are from tinterwebs the metal is so soft it sticks to the machine cutting tips??

PhillyDee · 3 Jan 2013 at 19:53

Go to a decent one then.

kieranv · 3 Jan 2013 at 20:36

Never had bother in my local Timpsons, bought numerous key blanks off ebay for my old bmw and current mazda and had them cut in there for about a fiver each time.

FC1983 · 3 Jan 2013 at 20:41

I had mine cut by sending digital photos off and it works fine. I did it for the same reason as you, nowhere around here would do it for me.

kPATm · 3 Jan 2013 at 21:48

Where did you send them FC1983?

acemastr · 3 Jan 2013 at 22:13

Just walk in, "I've got this from Honda but it needs cutting, mind doing it for me?"

FC1983 · 3 Jan 2013 at 22:58

I used a guy on ebay, I emailed him first and he replied to confirm it could be done.

infernox · 4 Jan 2013 at 01:24

acemastr said:
Just walk in, "I've got this from Honda but it needs cutting, mind doing it for me?"

This

ins0mn1ac · 4 Jan 2013 at 11:12

I converted my Vaux Corsa key to a flip blade, cost £10 from eBay with a blank blade and a trip to a Sunday market, worked a treat

Timpsons etc will all refuse to cut it since it can damage their machines or something but the guy at the market said it was a load of tosh and he's heard the story a good few times, took him 2mins to cut it.

Brookert · 4 Jan 2013 at 12:35

Some eBay keys are fine, some key cutters just don't want to risk comebacks from customers when their key metal wears out quickly.

kPATm · 4 Jan 2013 at 19:30

Well I found a Timpsons who would cut the Key. BUT the bloody key wouldn't go all the way in to the barrel. After 30mins of filing it still wouldnt fit. The guy gave up and refunded my money. I managed to jiggle the key all the way in but it wont turn. This is doing my head in. Im on the brink of giving up :mad:

bullit in head · 4 Jan 2013 at 20:15

The other way to do it, witch is what I had to do as there were no blade key blanks for my saab 900, was have an original key cut, the grind the other(handle) side side to fit the flip key, worked a treat, bit more of a faff than just fitting it, but I wanted it to work.

Bullit

kPATm · 4 Jan 2013 at 20:18

I was considering that but my original keys are made in such a way that there wouldnt be enough material left after grinding to allow the key to fit to the flip mechanism.

Brookert · 4 Jan 2013 at 23:07

kPATm said:
Well I found a Timpsons who would cut the Key. BUT the bloody key wouldn't go all the way in to the barrel. After 30mins of filing it still wouldnt fit. The guy gave up and refunded my money. I managed to jiggle the key all the way in but it wont turn. This is doing my head in. Im on the brink of giving up

Sounds like a poor cut to be honest. Couldn't have matched very well if you had to jiggle it in and it won't turn.

kPATm · 5 Jan 2013 at 12:25

Im going to send off my last blank to a company on tinterwebs who cut the key from a digital image. I will see how it goes

kPATm · 5 Jan 2013 at 23:31

Brookert said:
Sounds like a poor cut to be honest. Couldn't have matched very well if you had to jiggle it in and it won't turn.

Probably. But how could they get a bad cut when its done by a machine that basically "traces" the outline of the original key?

Brookert · 5 Jan 2013 at 23:54

kPATm said:
Probably. But how could they get a bad cut when its done by a machine that basically "traces" the outline of the original key?

poo machine? Not sure really. The place I took my ebay key to frowned on it at first, and said they won't be liable if it goes wrong, to which I agreed. After the cutting, they were impressed at the quality of the metal vs the price, and asked me where I got it from!