What key making machine to buy?

[manderin]

What's a good machine for duplicating schlage everest keys on a monthly basis?

[jeffmoss26]

Any normal key machine can duplicate Schlage.
If you want to originate them, you could purchase a punch that is set for the specific keyway family.

[manderin]

I was asking because our regular locksmith doesn't copy our keys until 8Am when he opens. We have another guy that will copy our keys at 6am (preferred because our office hours start at 7:30) but he says he can't copy schlage everest due to some groove in the back of the keys.- we thought this meant he didn't have the right machine for this. Finding someone to do this before 8am has proven to be impossible so we have decided to buy our own key duplication machine and learn how to use it ourselves. That way we're not at the mercy of office hours.

[billdeserthills]

Guy in the Buy-Sell-Trade area is selling a little ilco machine that would cut Everest Keys just fine
it's an Ilco 008, prolly the smallest, lightest machine available for your needs. Do you have your own key blanks already?

[manderin]

Not yet. We figured we'd order them when we got the machine.

[billdeserthills]

The only Everest keys I have seen are the C123A or the C145A the blanks just have the #'s on them

[GWiens2001]

Have seen Everest C123, C124, C135, C145 and D124. There are also control keys available for LFIC cores using those keyways that I have seen. As Bill said, the numbers are stamped on the key, right where the bow meets the blade.

Gordon

[MacGnG1]

You can probably get a Foley Belsaw Model 200 for 200$ or under on ebay if you are quick. Thats a good machine for duplicating keys and its very easy to use.

Only the D series Everest blanks are considered restricted by Schlage.

Any locksmith can copy Everest keys if you have the blanks.

[jeffmoss26]

B series are also restricted but they are SFIC.
Everest 29 S keyways are open, T and R (SFIC) are restricted.

JM

[cledry]

The Everest keys are nickel silver, cutting them on that little Ilco or the crappy Foley Belsaw machine will probably need a couple of passes, plus cutting them on a manual machine can cause issues for inexperienced users. I would at a minimum go for a semi-automatic machine or an automatic. They keep a constant pressure on the key which helps cut consistent keys.

You can pick up a good Ilco automatic or even an old Curtis for $150-$200

[rogerargueta]

I have some experience duplicating keys from a previous job.... simple kwiksets. My current employer uses locks that are opened by two keys (Schlage Everest C123 I believe they are called). Can anyone tell me what is the "second" opener? Is is the groove on the side? or is it a clever way of cutting where the pins drop?

I need to buy a key duplicating machine and have read your comments above but not sure how I can duplicate the "second" part of the key.

Thank you and please excuse my lack of knowledge.

[Squelchtone]

I have some experience duplicating keys from a previous job.... simple kwiksets. My current employer uses locks that are opened by two keys (Schlage Everest C123 I believe they are called). Can anyone tell me what is the "second" opener? Is is the groove on the side? or is it a clever way of cutting where the pins drop?

I need to buy a key duplicating machine and have read your comments above but not sure how I can duplicate the "second" part of the key.

Thank you and please excuse my lack of knowledge.

That side cut is for a check pin. It comes already cut from the factory when you get C123 blanks, and is a form of key control and makes the blanks a little more restricted than just walking into Home Depot and having the key cut. All you have to cut is the pin tumbler bitting just like a Kwikset or residential Schlage. No need for a special machine.

google is your friend: http://www.crypto.com/photos/misc/everest/

Squelchtone

[hag3l3]

Re: your everest keys...
the locksmith that told you he was having problems with Schlage keys fitting properly did not familiarize himself with his machine. As most of us locksmiths who cut a large quantity of keys tend to use the BP201 key punch by prolok there is a special top jaw that needs to be ordered for it. Example. Company sent in on a biweekly basis there BP201-SC punch to be serviced because the top jaw would get cut, or the key would not hold properly. The usual locksmith responsible for the service accounts was out that day. I offered to help them. Not knowing what to do, contacted prolock rep, explained problem, rep told me customer cutting everest series blanks that require the red know adapter. So I informed customer, got ok to order, parts came in, repaired and customer happy. That was a few years ago. A little research saved them return services. To truly get accurate depth and spacing for your keys. I recommend the prolok BP201-sc punch with the red k ob adaption for cutting your C123- C145 keys. HANDS DOWN BEST IN THE BUSINESS.
hope this helps.......

[rolftaylor]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the "crushed key problem" on this thread. These everest keys have an undercut portion. It is very easy to crush the key blank (or customer's original, god forbid) using the same amount if clamping pressure used for other keys.

A damaged blank is expensive. A damaged original is far worse! A few bad experiences and I could certainly understand a key cutter taking a pass these keys.

The solution is a shim that is inserted into the groove adjacent to the undercut portion of the key before tightening the clamp. The same shim also works to help avoid problems with Best A keys and certain European auto keys that are problematic.

Ilco sells these shims with their key machines.

[GWiens2001]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the "crushed key problem" on this thread. These everest keys have an undercut portion. It is very easy to crush the key blank (or customer's original, god forbid) using the same amount if clamping pressure used for other keys.

A damaged blank is expensive. A damaged original is far worse! A few bad experiences and I could certainly understand a key cutter taking a pass these keys.

The solution is a shim that is inserted into the groove adjacent to the undercut portion of the key before tightening the clamp. The same shim also works to help avoid problems with Best A keys and certain European auto keys that are problematic.

Ilco sells these shims with their key machines.

The post is four years old. But agree with your concern. However, rather than searching for shims, just straighten out a throw-away key ring and slide that into the warding.

Gordon