I think if you were to just slot the wood and slide the wood in (you know, to eliminate the seam) it could probably be reinforced with a pin of some sort to keep the key from wanting to pull out of the head since the 'type 1' design would be resistant to this due to the fitted slot.

Also, I might have to try this this weekend, I think we might have a chunk of cocobolo or ebony floating around somewhere that would work pretty well, and I have about 4 or 6 extra keys to mess around with lol

Edit-I'm sorry, pin through that hole in the metal part of the key head

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1982 300D Turbodiesel, daily driver. Mods so far: Fram 8038 paper filter, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 (front) rotors/calipers, boost turned up to 12lbs, non-egr manifolds, water/methanol injection, 4-speed manual
1980 300SD Turbodiesel, project car, nearly ready to hit the street

1974 240D, New paint

Great, another key handle maker.

I had thought about drilling a couple of small holes in the key to put in wooden pins. Instead I elected to grind a few grooves in the surface of them to add strength to the bond. Normally I would used epoxy with about a 50% mix of sawdust. I have a gallon of it but it was at my other home so I improvised. My key slot is undersized in width and it fits very tight.

The brass and nickel plating is very hard much stronger than what I have seen in domestic keys.

I don't know much about the exotic woods but the walnut couldn't be flexed with the empty slot. I kept thinning it and was testing it for flex. The first key was made bigger than necessary but it makes for easy handling.

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85 Merc 300D - Unwinding 31 years of wear
86 VW TD
Mahindra Diesel
Iseki Diesel

In 2007 I didn't own a diesel.

Just received my key, and I love it! Great work and solid communication along the way.

i contacted the OP and had him make a set for me as well, great guy! i got these earlier this week just been super busy to post pictures

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W211 '03 E320 | W108 '72 280SEL 4.5

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps9b542eaa.jpg http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps5723c50f.jpg

Way cool!

Does anyone know of anyone else that can make these wooden key heads? I'm interested in a set for my car and looks like the OP hasn't been on in a couple months.

Having recently gone through the replacement of my ignition tumbler twice in the last 3 years (genuine MBZ parts), I have been advised by Mercedes to use only the single key in the tumbler. Extra weight on the key evidently causes problems. While the wood key head is very attractive, I wonder if the extra weight could cause future problems?

I can't imagine the wood being much more weight than the plastic. I think it is more a case of leverage when other keys are on a ring with the ignition key. Even if the one key had twice the original weight in it's head, I doubt the ignition tumbler would know. However, I agree that several keys on the ring will put more leverage on the key in the ignition switch, and may cause early falier.

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

Sweet. Makes me want to set up my CNc again. I'm still living oUtta boxes.

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79 300TD “Old Smokey” AKA “The Mistake” (SOLD)
82 240D stick shift 335k miles (SOLD)
82 300SD 300k miles
85 300D Turbodiesel 170k miles
97 C280 147k miles

Some of you may remember the forum member that was making and selling billet aluminum key heads for Mercedes keys. He ran into production problems, but it was a high quality, much needed product. I was lucky to get 2 of the key heads.

I will go to my machine shop and get a quote...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Any pics? I'm curious to see how that looks.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/346838-mercedes-billet-key-heads-sale.html

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Nice!