Where do I get key blanks from?
 

I have one key for my 85 300D, I tried going to mao-mart and home depot and no luck, I went to a specialized key place, no luck. I tried to buy keys online, no luck.

Where do I go to buy blanks???

:confused:

got to the dealer with your driver license, VIN, and proof of ownership and they'll order you a new key. It cost about 20-25 bucks.

dealer has the correct steel key for you.

I actually had a key made for mine at a local locksmith. Looks very similar to the OEM key. Made by Ilco/Italy. But it's brass and will cause trouble in the long run.

^^ I have that type of key. What are the issues? Premature key wear?

the key is made of brass, the tumbler is steel, the key will leave brass shavings in the tumbler and cause it to fail.

I bought some all metal Key Blanks on Ebay. But, that was the easy part. Homedepot would not cut my own keys. The local ACE Hardware tried but had a poor Key grinding (for some reason the keys kept shifting in the vice) machine and the they ruined 2 keys.

As it turned out I need a Key for My Volvo and went to the Volvo Dealer. The Volvo Dealer directed me to a Professional Lock Shop down the street. They had the Mercedes and Volvo Key blanks and cut a key from my Mercedes Blank and supplied and cut the Volvo one to.

Master LockSmith
 

'Can and does make ANY kind of key...(OR ReKey any kind of lock)

'Trouble is FINDING a MASTER LOCK SMITH !

I took a worn out MB Tumbler to A MLS AND he "Re-Leaved" it! to OEM specs!
[Mercedes Locks have "Leaves" and not "Tumblers"]

brass is softer than steel. How will it damage the lock's elements?

Does that include the plastic key head, for that price?

Because the shaving from the brass will stay in the lock tumbler and cause it to fail.

yes

thanks.

does anybody have a picture of a used / worn factory key?

I used to work there (H.D.). Have you ever went there and nobody is around to help you with anything? Do you know how the key machine works? If they can make a copy of your key on one of their blanks, it should cut your blank without a problem.

Personally, I think those machines are often under-serviced, but it is the easiest way to get a key cut.

If anybody wants detailed instructions on how to use the machine, you can PM me. Its very easy, and if you get caught, say: "there was no one here to assist me.. "

b/w 8p-10p on Monday and Tuesday are good times.

At the 2 Home Depots in my area both Key Cutting machines are kept behind the counter of the Service DesK. Both places have modern machines that have special inserts for each of the Key Blanks they sell and no manual clamping. Ounce the inserts are in and the Key is shoved in it mostly appears that the machine does the rest.
The ACE Hardware on the other hand had an all manual machine that depended on the skill of the person using it. It also was a small machine like one you might have seen back in the 1950.
In their defence this is a small Industrial Hardware store that caters to the local repair shops and Ship/Boating repair that took on the ACE Hardware Name; not one of their Home Improvement type Chain Stores.
I guess they do not cut enought keys to justify a new machine.

my local WALLYWORLD has a totally computerized key cutting machine... really awesome. took my worn out nearly impossible to start suburban key there, the computer matches the notches, and cuts the key like it was at the factory! really! an awesome machine. I would not use it for my MB's because all their keys are brass, but for other keys just amazing! perhaps for an 123 emergency spare... but not for a daily key.

HD's/Wal-Mart/most Ace HW's won't cut steel keys for a reason -- it tears the heck out of their cutters. Dig out the Ye Old Phonebook, and find a real locksmith - ask if they'll cut steel keys.

Most dealer service depts should know a local source for a locksmith who has the right tools to cut the 'correct' key. Another weird source is BMW Motorcycle dealers (!!!!), as they also use steel keys, and can either cut M-B keys, or know someone who can.

I'll tell you my story-- needed a new key cut for my BMW K75s, and in a city of 1M++, there was no local locksmith who had the ability to cut my steel key. I had to drive to Austin to a dealer-recommended locksmith to have a key cut!!