HPC 1200PCH

[Zenophryk]

So I just picked up a used HPC 1200PCH punch machine. I like it. Nice and easy to use. As I start playing with it I was about a few things that others who use this machine on a regular basis might know.

1. Checking the depth calibration using a SC1 blank. I cut a 5 depth at location 1 and 5. The cut at 1 was accurate, the one at 5 was about .002 too high. Is there any kind of parallel adjustment that can be made to adjust that? or is it normal and nominal.

2. After setting the location and depth of a cut, as I bring the lever down to make the cut the depth needle moves a little to the right. Not a whole lot. Again, is this normal? Or is there something I can tighten up? How much slop is normal here?

Thanks for any help.

-Zenophryk

[victorylocksmith]

i too use a punch, however i use a dedicated A1 pak a punch for SC keys and another for KW keys. i find that i have to tweek them annually but after i get it set, they punch like champs. let me say this first and foremost, i find that sometimes when the machine is slightly out of alignment, there is a significant difference in brass and nickel keys. most likey due to brass being softer than nickel. also there are SC1 original keys or tough primus/everest keys which you really have to make sure your punch is completely dialed in before you cut them. also, if you notice, the punch does not cut in a straight line like a regular key machine does. this means you cut in triangles which well lead to keys that dont always turn well. this is because when it cuts in triangles, the lines that are cut are not straight and as a result, the pins dont always have the smoothest time going up and down like when say a blitz machine cuts them in a straight line.

so in short, you have to calibrate your punch. although it is to be expected that you will have some messed up keys every once in a while. before in the past i used to love punches and while i still find them highly useful given if the setting provides you with no electricity, a nice electric code cutter such as a blitz or any other machine that can punch NUMEROUS different keys even with the electricity needed, is much more invaluable.