Key cutting machines

[Lessavit]

I am getting a key cutting machine for the back of my van (when the training finishes etc etc), ive been informed that Ilco and HPC are 2 of the best. What kinda of power consumption can these machines take? can it run straight from the battery or will i need a genny? and also does anyone know any UK stockists that i could find prices from?

[Varjeal]

Any key machine equipped with 12V connections will operate straight off the battery.

[Lessavit]

do you know specifically what model? im aware that 12v can run from a battery :p lol i used to work as a mechanic

[p1ckf1sh]

Any key machine equipped with 12V connections will operate straight off the battery.

...and for anything else requiring 220/240V you can get a simple convertor. A friend of mine had one of these, you plug them into the regular cigarette socket and they provide an output socket like a wall outlet with the corresponding voltage. They are not too expensive, certainly cheaper than a seperate generator. I don't know how many amps they generate though, and I don't know how much such a key cutter will eat away. Might be clever to have the engine running while you cut a dozen keys...

[pinky]

SKS , DAVENPORT BURGESS, KEYPRINT , CITY SAFE, NORTH WEST KEYS AND JOHN RICHARD.

all above stock all key machines from simple cylinder cutters to super dooper cut to code machines, some also stock refurbished machines.
SKS at the moment have the small titan 12v and 240 v machines on special at present.

couple of questions though, as you plan on putting the machine in your van, i assume you plan on working mobile, if this is the case, then why do you want a key machine ? most mobile locksmiths get asked to cut very few keys indeed, certainly not enough to warrant the costs of machines and blanks ? and every boot fair and market these days has one or more guys already doing this, at not a great profit.
unless you are training for autos, if this is the case i would look to an inverter, as you will need to run a minimum of 4 machines from your van.

if you are just setting up, especially in the uk, then there are so many more important pieces of kit you should be setting up with first, kit you hope that will pay for itself quickly, a key machine is likely never to pay for itself on a mobile lockies van just doing domestic and commercial work.

[maxxed]

I would suggest buying a booster pack and run the machine off of it. I have mine set up so that it charges when the vehicle is running and is disconnected when the key is off. This runs the key cutter, two hallogen work lights, and a power inverter. I don't worry about killing my vehicles battery and I can carry the key cutter / booster pack rig closer to the work if necessary.

[toomush2drink]

Help us to help you and fill in your profile.
I personally have always rated the silca machines for cylinders, but mortice machines are another matter.The jakey mortice is good as are the old skool mancunas.As pinky says its a big investment if your starting up and you should put the money to decoders etc instead. If you are desperate for a machine the sks tempest although small can do both types of keys but it means swapping the cutters over, and it takes time.
I personally have a 2nd hand silca for cylinders and use a tempest for mortice.They mainly get used to increase sales after fitting a lock and i also fit a fair few restricted keyways which i can supply the keys for. It is a useful tool but not essential to begin with but like yesterday it came in handy when i made some keys up for a lock that all keys had been lost for.Also you need to think about the weight and space, these machines are generally designed for shop use and are therefore heavy and bulky.You also need the space for the keyboards too.If you carry a lot of different brands of lock you then need a lot of different key blanks to cover them all.
I run all the machines off of an invertor with a split charge setup trickle charging another huge battery so the vans never gets drained.Of course this takes up even more space and adds more weight to the van. The plus side is ican also run other tools from it like my sds hammer drill when say fitting a garage defender as i did the other day.It meant the power was at the site allowing the correct tools to be used, a cordless wouldnt cut it in this situation, drilling into concrete for expanding bolt type fixings.