Key Blanks

[arkville]

I have just have finished going thru the many hundred key blanks I recently received with the key cutting machine I acquired.
Since this is all new to me I wish to ask if these blanks are even used today? I have not heard of many of them. Here are a few that are labeled:
Reading, Norwalk, Hollymade, Bommer, Hurd, Chantrell, Rockford, Junkunc, Bottan, Arrow, Dominion as well as several more.
Any help or advice greatfully accepted. Thanks.

[Jeremym0411]

Here is a list of the most common keys i cut everyday. Now take into mind that it will somewhat depend on the area you live in.

KW1
SC1
M1
CG16
HL1
SC4
S22
DE8
DE6
CU46
Y11
Y12
Y13

That is the most common keys. I have heard of the ones you listed but i dont cut many of them at all. Hope this helps.

[Wizer]

It really depends on where you are.
Hurd is for some (older) US. Fords etc.
Arrow makes door locks, I think
Junkunc is a lock brand too, Silca says their blanks fit some American locks too
Dominion is a cylinder lock.
These are ones I have cut. But I mostly cut Abloys.
You can never have too many different blanks.

[chriswingate]

Junkunc is a lock brand too, Silca says their blanks fit some American locks too.

Junkunc Brothers was the original company responsible for creating American Lock Co. back in the day.

[arkville]

Thanks for the help and the list of common blanks you use. All the stuff I have is old. There are quite a lot of automobile blanks for cars from the 60's and up to the 80's. I have several rings of automobile tryout keys as well. One set for GM cars from 1967 and 1971 has 150 keys, then there are several sets with only 5 keys. probably will never have a use for these, but they are neat to have.

I cut my first key last night after finding the correct blank and getting the machine all set up. Got a lot to learn.

Here is a list of the most common keys i cut everyday. Now take into mind that it will somewhat depend on the area you live in.

KW1
SC1
M1
CG16
HL1
SC4
S22
DE8
DE6
CU46
Y11
Y12
Y13

That is the most common keys. I have heard of the ones you listed but i dont cut many of them at all. Hope this helps.

[David Swearingen]

Reading, Norwalk, Hollymade, and Chantrell all went out of business back in the fifties. I believe Hollymade was bought out by Challenger, and Chantrell was bought out by Lockwood.

[David Swearingen]

Junkunc Brothers was the original company responsible for creating American Lock Co. back in the day.

I think it was the other way 'round; early Junkunc Brothers locks are stamped "Successors to American Lock Company."

[cledry]

Others have covered things pretty much.

Hurd also made padlocks.
Bommer is for mail box locks, the same blank may work for some file cabinet locks.
Rockford was National Rockford now part of CompX, blanks may be for mail box locks, file cabinets or desks.
Dominion was also a key manufacturer like Ilco and Silca, so depending upon the number it may fit any number of locks. I think they used a DL logo.

Never heard of Dotan.

Keep in mind that many of these old keys will fit other, newer locks, sometimes with a slight modification. Often when an oddball key comes in the shop one of these old antiques will fit the bill.

[cledry]

Others have covered things pretty much.

Hurd also made padlocks.
Bommer is for mail box locks, the same blank may work for some file cabinet locks.
Rockford was National Rockford now part of CompX, blanks may be for mail box locks, file cabinets or desks.
Dominion was also a key manufacturer like Ilco and Silca, so depending upon the number it may fit any number of locks. I think they used a DL logo.

Never heard of Dotan.

Keep in mind that many of these old keys will fit other, newer locks, sometimes with a slight modification. Often when an oddball key comes in the shop one of these old antiques will fit the bill.

I meant never heard of Bottan.