HPC 1200 Punch Machine

[YouLuckyFox]

Hey all, I like the idea of a portable and powerless key machine, and the HPC 1200 seems to fit the bill. I have used SC1 and KW1 punches before without trouble and liked how it helped me to speed up the impressioning process. I've searched the forum and haven't found much feedback for or against; as such I wanted to ask for anything I should know before buying. What are it's limitations, how does calibration compare with other keymachines (I currently have a FB Model 200 with depth and spacing micrometers.)

[GWiens2001]

One limitation is you can't really punch paracentric keys like the Y1 or a number of the ABUS blanks.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

Thing that puts me off about the punch machine is you can't cut Medeco keys

[cledry]

I used one of them for a while. As a matter of fact it is collecting dust in the attic. Probably need to do a tidy out and get rid of it and a million other things up there! LOL

[demux]

I'll second what Gordon said. I started out on a FB 200 a long time ago, and if you maintain it well and know how to use it, it can actually do a decent job originating keys. It's just not fast. When I decided I wanted to get more into code cutting several years back, I was also looking at a couple different punch machines, including the 1200. I ended up spending a bit more to get a Framon #2, and looking back that has turned out to be a very good decision. If you're like me and end up cutting "a little bit of everything", go with a more generalized machine like the Blitz or the Framon. You won't regret it.

[YouLuckyFox]

All, thank you for the feedback. I feel like I've found what will work best for my purposes. As originally stated the intent of this would be to assist in speeding up the impressioning process. Portability and speed is what I'm aiming at. I feel like I have found something to meet my needs although I wish I could find a Pak a Punch for sale:
https://youtu.be/MVNUbwL26H4

[billdeserthills]

All, thank you for the feedback. I feel like I've found what will work best for my purposes. As originally stated the intent of this would be to assist in speeding up the impressioning process. Portability and speed is what I'm aiming at. I feel like I have found something to meet my needs although I wish I could find a Pak a Punch for sale:
https://youtu.be/MVNUbwL26H4

I have a pak a punch but no schlage punch