ILCO Key Duplicator Model 045 for mobile

[corey2444]

ILCO Key Duplicator Model 045 for mobile..Found someone who's selling one that's 4-5 years old, that comes with a new 1200 watt inverter for $200.

Would this machine be ok used for Mobile? Seems a little big, but I'm on a somewhat limited budget, and the price seems right.

[thelockpickkid]

ILCO Key Duplicator Model 045 for mobile..Found someone who's selling one that's 4-5 years old, that comes with a new 1200 watt inverter for $200.

Would this machine be ok used for Mobile? Seems a little big, but I'm on a somewhat limited budget, and the price seems right.

That is a great price, I would jump on it. Those inverters can be pretty spendy, never cheap. Do it. Those Ilco's are great machines.

[ElAbogado]

ILCO Key Duplicator Model 045 for mobile..Found someone who's selling one that's 4-5 years old, that comes with a new 1200 watt inverter for $200.

Would this machine be ok used for Mobile? Seems a little big, but I'm on a somewhat limited budget, and the price seems right.

the price is right; the machine is a great one, the inverter I can't say because there are good and bad inverters. I prefer pure sine wave inverters because they work best with electric motors. Modified sine wave inverters will work, but the motor does not produce max power and runs hotter.

Also, check out the machine carefully, as my friend bought a used one and the bushings were worn. The first few spaces duplicated perfectly, but the last few were deep. If it will accurately duplicate an american padlock key or a best key, you are good to go.

El Abogado

[corey2444]

Hey, just got back from picking both up. The inverter is a cheap one (Chicago Electric), but it is new. The machine was good. Turned it on, calibrated, cut a key, everything is fine there.

There's a slot to put oil in to maintain it, but I don't know how much or what oil to use. Would 3in1 oil work?

[corey2444]

Well, I cut my first key ever. Cut through it like butter.. Simple! However, I when I line the shoulders up, the original vs the dupe seems to be slightly off center. It works on my lock the same as the original, but I would like to get the machine lined up perfectly. The depth is almost spot on but the spacing is wrong. Also, due to my lack of experience, I failed to notice the fence being bent before buying it. It's off 1.82 MM (a lot). Maybe I'm wrong, and it needs adjusting? I dunno. I suppose I can replace it. Seems like an easy and inexpensive enough job.

[Eyes_Only]

Dunno which specific model of the 045 you have but here's the site where Ilco has all the manuals for their machines listed, http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems/li ... j=d_manual

I clicked on the 045 Performance Series and on pg 14 of the PDF manual it tells you what you need to do to adjust for spacing. Aside from replacing the key gauge it ain't pretty.

[corey2444]

Oh, thank you so much. I was trying to google this info, and I kept getting sites way off the mark.

[jabraham]

Re Ilco 045 and inverters, I have the semi auto Ilco machine in this series (auto, semi auto, manual). It is less than ideal. The jaws have been a particular weak point. If you read the manual you will see the admonition "do not use wrenches/pliers on the wing nuts". The Ilco key machine manager told me they were seeing machines come in for servicing with wrench marks on the wing nuts. The funny part is that the jaws were so poorly designed that locksmiths were having to use wrenches to keep keys in the jaws. Proof of this is that Ilco recently announced "Super Jaws" which are not actually Super, they are simply better than the old ones. But Ilco still hasn't figured out how to design self tightening jaws like HPC has. HPC is good for jaws but their motors are weak--especially when used with inverters. The motors are not capacitor start which makes them get hot, draw too many amps, and in one case I experienced burst into flames--yes flames!-- on the work bench. Do not buy an AC HPC if you expect to use it on any inverter that puts out a modified sine wave. I personally don't know of any that don't put out a modified sine wave.
I found the Ilco 044 semi-auto machine awkward to use, weak vises aside. I bought the new vises and they are better, but there is still no self-tightening feature. It takes a lot of strength on the wing nuts to hold a difficult key. Another complaint I have is the vises have a tendency to fall off when you are unscrewing them--they don't have enough travel on the screw. The on-off switch is hard to access under the front. The design of the depth adjuster is such that the adjusting allen wrench interferes with the shoulder/tip gauge. I have these two machines side by side on my bench (I keep the Ilco as a back up and once in a great while use it for a key that I can't figure out how to configure in the excellent Bravo II vises--which is rare). The more I get acquainted with the Bravo II vises the less I use any other machine. The two side by side are examples of American vs. European design. Europe wins hands down. If you are making keys all day long I think you will get worn out by the Ilco machines.

So I upgraded to a Silca Bravo II. A world of difference. I can grind out double sided car keys like nobody's business, in no time flat. A vastly superior machine over the Ilco (but sold by Ilco). Costs about three times as much but worth it.
JA

[Eyes_Only]

I agree with jabraham on the Bravo II, that thing is like the BMW of key machines - the ultimate key cutting machine!!

I can't buy one now but I've been searching around in different manufactures to see what machine I would find ideal for me, something with a versatile jaw with the ability to adjust both depth and space without filing or replacing anything like the Bravo II and III and put out consistent and reliable accuracy key after key, but still small and compact enough for use in a area with limited space. So far I haven't found anything that fits the bill.

The Delta 2000 seemed to hit the mark pretty well by its description and good reviews I've heard about it but sadly they discontinued it for some reason.

[jabraham]

Note re Bravo--rereading my long post about the machine, I meant to say it is the Bravo III I have. Much nicer looking than the Bravo II--I haven't studied the differences other than looks.

[Eyes_Only]

I have heard that the Bravo III is built solid like a tank. Just by it's sheer size I have no doubt in my mind that it is.

[corey2444]

I clicked on the 045 Performance Series and on pg 14 of the PDF manual it tells you what you need to do to adjust for spacing. Aside from replacing the key gauge it ain't pretty.

I have taken this machine apart, and let me tell you it's easy as pie.

What problems I think I have are the key gauge, as mentioned before. The oil cup was missing (thanks to the manual link I discovered this). Very important part to have since the oil cup keeps the cutter shaft & 2 bushings lubricated, and free from metal shavings. Well, there's a slight grind in mine, nothing bad, but I think I am going to replace these 5 parts.

The guy at Ilco wanted me to send it in to have it refurbished, but I am afraid by the time they get done with me, I'll have wished I bought a new one.