Metal 3D Printing a Train Key


I’m not entirely sure of my motivation behind this, but I decided I wanted one.

Please don’t do anything stupid with this information. I made these as a novelty and do not plan to use them without permission.

The Toronto Transit Commission and GO Transit seem to both share a utility key. Measuring the socket it’s a 8 mm square hole with little wings to prevent any old piece of square bar from fitting. The TTC employees call it the “Cab Key”; probably because it also opens the operator’s cab. Photo of a cab key posted by a TTC employeePhoto of the key hole for the cab key. A square hole about 8 mm on each side with little triangles in the center of each face protruding around 1.5 mm into the square hole preventing any off the shelf square wrench from fitting

I got lucky and the local train museum happened to have one and allowed me to measure it. Antique micrometer measuring the cab key to be 0.305 inches or 7.76 mm Antique calipers measuring the length of the key to be about 25 mm

I made each “layer” to scale in Inkscape and imported those SVGs into Tinkercad and extruded them. I then exported a triangle and used the SVG revolve tool to cut bevels at the borders of each layer. Then I added a loop for a key ring. Screenshot of Tinkercad showing the model and its constructing elements

Initial tests were 3D printed in PLA and after confirming fitment I sent the model to be 3D printed in metal. Each key ended up costing about C$15 at JLC3DP (not sponsored) and I printed 3 extra to give to friends. Photo of the 3D printed plastic prototype next to the metal final product. The metal has a dull finish