Key cutting machine

A key cutting machine, comprising:

• a rotatably mounted spindle having a throughbore extending from a spindle first end to a spindle second end;
• a clamp assembly holding a key blank for cutting by a milling cutter rotatably mounted to said spindle in said throughbore adjacent said spindle first end;
• an elongated stem insertable into said throughbore with said milling cutter temporarily attached at one end of said stem to position said milling cutter adjacent said spindle first end after insertion of said stem and said milling cutter into said spindle second end;
• and
• a securing mechanism selectively locking said milling cutter to said spindle when said stem positions said milling cutter adjacent said spindle first end.

A method for installing a milling cutter in a key cutting machine in an operable position, comprising:

• attaching a milling cutter to one end of an elongated stem;
• inserting said one end of said elongated stem with said milling cutter attached thereto into a spindle second end of a spindle of a key cutting machine to position said milling cutter adjacent a spindle first end;
• securing said milling cutter positioned adjacent said spindle first end to said spindle;
• removing said stem from said spindle;
• and
• rotatably driving said spindle and said milling cutter secured thereto to cut a key blank into a key.