Wenxing

[metroid9824]

Hello all,

I am looking to invest in an entry level key duplicator. I'm trying to decide between HPC Mini Speedex, ILCO Mini Mite, or the Wenxing W219C. It seems like Ilco is the preferred brand on here, but I'm still enticed by the Wenxing machine. Has anyone had any experience with this company?

[MatrixBlackRock]

Hello all,

I am looking to invest in an entry level key duplicator. I'm trying to decide between HPC Mini Speedex, ILCO Mini Mite, or the Wenxing W219C. It seems like Ilco is the preferred brand on here, but I'm still enticed by the Wenxing machine. Has anyone had any experience with this company?

Prior to purchasing a Mini-Speedex I looked into the Wenxing as the dealer I bought the HPC from had a very tempting promotional price on the Wenxing, the reason I decided to forgo the Wenxing was because unlike HPC and ILCO the company is based in China and I couldn't find out too much about their history in the key machine business and I didn't want to buy into something that in a few years might not have any spare parts availability.

I have been burnt before on Chinese tools, that once broken, remain broken, because replacement parts are not carried by anyone and dealing with the factory is an impossibility.

As such, I paid a few dollars more and went with a machine which the most common replacement parts are carried by the same dealer who sold me the machine.

Wayne

[billdeserthills]

I have a speedex 9120 RM, a speedex 9160 and two of the ilco 008 key machines. I like the speedex 9120rm best. It is mounted in my van and receives almost daily use. The 4 way jaws will grip any key that I put into them. I have owned these machines for over 15 years and I recently (year ago) replaced the 12vt dc motor with a keedex K-5 motor which is definately an upgrade from the little 12vt dc motor that came with the machine from hpc. In the past I bought a model of the wenxing machine, but upon seeing it I repacked it into the box & promptly send it back to Key Sales & supply, where I got it.
If you want to pay less for the machine I would encourage the purchase of the speedex in a used condition, it can always be sent back to HPC for a complete overhaul, if you are uncomfortable with doing the repairs yourself

[metroid9824]

Thanks for your replies. As per your suggestions, I got the Mini Speedex. But when I unboxed it, the drive belt was missing! I called the distributor and they're sending me one for free, but still kind of annoying. I don't even know how that's even possible.

Upon playing with a little bit, I'm having a problem with it not quite "grabbing" the keys right. When I tighten it, it will either tilt the key forward, or one side will point up a bit. I had this problem on a Cole key machine I used before. Anyone else have this problem? It affects the accuracy of the cut.

[billdeserthills]

I think You should call HPC and arrange to swap this machine for another one.
You don't want to start having trouble from the very beginning

[MatrixBlackRock]

Upon playing with a little bit, I'm having a problem with it not quite "grabbing" the keys right. When I tighten it, it will either tilt the key forward, or one side will point up a bit. I had this problem on a Cole key machine I used before. Anyone else have this problem? It affects the accuracy of the cut.

Have you tried the other jaw positions?

Wayne

[metroid9824]

The other jaw positions are too deep for the key unfortunately. By sliding the key forward a bit more it seems to work better.

[jimu57]

The Wenxing is nice. You can used many different cutters on it simply because of the different possiblities in adjustments. There isnt that much to really go wrong on a key machine. How many of you have had to get parts other than cutters? Even if the company goes under, you can still get cutters of about any kind that will work. If the motor goes bad, and you have the mechanical and electrical know how, you can repair it yourself. I have a Micro and a Foley Belsaw. They are older and have been repaired and rebuilt without having to go to any manufacturer. I am buying another machine that is in parts. I will have it running again without parts from the maufacturer. But if you aren't into fixing things like that, then you should go with the sure thing. Something like the little Speedex. Just my 2 cents.

[CMS_SAFECRAKR1]

Wenxing is an ok brand. I bought one of their sidewinder key duplicators and it worked great for only 500 bucks.

[cledry]

What is your budget? I hate HPC duplicators, when I get one it is for a quick re-sale at about $150-$175. For a budget machine I like the Rytan R100. Everyone has a different idea of budget price, for me it is under $1000 but some might set a limit at $500. If it will be your business then a manual machine will not suffice except for a very small business. I cut 250 keys for 1 job today, I would hate doing that on a manual machine. My Silca Bravo III made short work of it.

[shutterstuff]

Your choice of the Mini Speedex is a good choice to start with. I have a Bravo III as my main duplicator in my van, a 1200 code machine and an old Ilco for cutting flat steel keys on. I am tempted to get a Mini Speedex as a backup.

[cledry]

Your choice of the Mini Speedex is a good choice to start with. I have a Bravo III as my main duplicator in my van, a 1200 code machine and an old Ilco for cutting flat steel keys on. I am tempted to get a Mini Speedex as a backup.

With the Bravo III I don't think you will need a back up machine. We bought a Bravo III to back up a Bravo II but the Bravo II has never gone down, but we often have two guys using both machines at the same time. Occasionally when cutting a lot of keys in the 100s we will alternate to let the machines cool down but a mini Speedex would be a nightmare to cut 100s of keys on.

[shutterstuff]

Your choice of the Mini Speedex is a good choice to start with. I have a Bravo III as my main duplicator in my van, a 1200 code machine and an old Ilco for cutting flat steel keys on. I am tempted to get a Mini Speedex as a backup.

With the Bravo III I don't think you will need a back up machine. We bought a Bravo III to back up a Bravo II but the Bravo II has never gone down, but we often have two guys using both machines at the same time. Occasionally when cutting a lot of keys in the 100s we will alternate to let the machines cool down but a mini Speedex would be a nightmare to cut 100s of keys on.

My Bravo III is in the van, the Mini would go in my home shop for the occasion I want to cut inside where it is warm... Ultimately I want a complete set of backups at home in case something happens to the van. Even with insurance, getting stuff replaced takes time.

[cledry]

Your choice of the Mini Speedex is a good choice to start with. I have a Bravo III as my main duplicator in my van, a 1200 code machine and an old Ilco for cutting flat steel keys on. I am tempted to get a Mini Speedex as a backup.

With the Bravo III I don't think you will need a back up machine. We bought a Bravo III to back up a Bravo II but the Bravo II has never gone down, but we often have two guys using both machines at the same time. Occasionally when cutting a lot of keys in the 100s we will alternate to let the machines cool down but a mini Speedex would be a nightmare to cut 100s of keys on.

My Bravo III is in the van, the Mini would go in my home shop for the occasion I want to cut inside where it is warm... Ultimately I want a complete set of backups at home in case something happens to the van. Even with insurance, getting stuff replaced takes time.

Your call but after using the Bravo III it is going to feel like a toy, a very slow toy.

[zeke79]

Your call but after using the Bravo III it is going to feel like a toy, a very slow toy.

To say the least. ATLEAST do an ilco automatic for an entry duplicator. The mini speedex costs almost half as much and isn't 1/8th the machine of even the ilco.