Abstract: A key cutting machine having manual and automatic modes of operation includes a shaft, a pivotal carriage on the shaft with clamps for a master key and a blank key, the master key facing a tracer bar and the blank key facing a cutter. A spring acts between the carriage and the shaft and a latch system, operated by a trigger selectively locks the carriage and shaft for common rotation for a manual key cutting operation in which the force of the spring is disengaged from the carriage or unlocks the carriage and shaft so that the carriage is urged by the spring to bring the master key into contact with the tracer bar and the blank key into contact with the cutting. A drive system axially moves the shaft and the carriage therewith past the tracer bar and the cutter in the automatic key cutting operation.