What is a good Key Machine?

[Cybernation]

I am new to the world of key machines. I was wondering what you guys would recommend as a “good” key machine... If you could list the type (Manual/Semi-Automatic/Automatic *Manufacture*) along with any Pros/Cons it would be much appreciated. Also if anyone is looking to sell one they might have lying around in a box let me know. As for my needs/wants in a machine I would like to be able to select the depth of the cut along with it being easy enough to teach almost anyone to make duplicates. Below are a couple machines I am looking at as of right now.

Manufacturer: Kaba-Ilco
044 Semi Automatic PERFORMANCE Series Key Duplicator -110V
Price: $699

Manufacturer: Kaba-Ilco
O40 Automatic/Manual Key Duplicator
Price: $749

[digital_blue]

I recently picked up the Kaba-Ilco 027A. Though it's a manual duplicator, it works like a champ. Simple, easy to use, easy to maintain. Does the job pretty well. I'm only a hobbyist, and this is the only machine I've owned, so I'm probably not the best guy to give guidance, but I thought I'd throw it in FWIW.

Cheers!

db

[grit1]

I own two right now - my very first key machine was the little foley bellsaw do-it-yourself kit - not the best quality, but versitile for a hobbiest. My new machine is an HPC Premiere Speedex, and that thing is bullet proof. The belsaw is slow, only has one jaw setting and is a beast to calibrate. The HPC is very accurate, very fine cutting, has 4 way jaws and I have only had to calibrate it once in something on the order of 2 years. Oh, both are manual machines. The HPC is fit for production, I wouldn't be shy to cut many many keys on it. The bellsaw is being used for utility use and code cutting with depth keys. ~Grit.