What is a Hand Punch/Key Clipper

by **Temple** » 7 Jul 2006 22:52

Ok I searched before asking this and could not find the answer. What is a hand punch and what is it used for?

I'm guessing it is used to make a key from a blank instead of using a key machine but I'm not sure. Can someone help explain this, Thanks.

by **n2oah** » 7 Jul 2006 22:55

It is a key machine that is operated by hand.

by **Raccoon** » 7 Jul 2006 22:59

Instead of using a grinding wheel to cut a key blank, it uses a punch press to cut a key blank. Both use key blanks.

There are also manual clippers that allow you to snip small amounts off a key blank. Very useful for impressioning. Sadly, because of patent issues, it's really hard coming across a decent set. Someone makes them, but they're afraid to import and sell them in the US/UK.

by **ThE_MasteR** » 7 Jul 2006 23:03

Lockpicks.com has one on first page, check it out.

by **Raccoon** » 8 Jul 2006 3:44

Ah, great! Brockhage told me about these months ago but were afraid to sell them. I hope the have all their ducks in order.

by **bpc293** » 8 Jul 2006 6:45

i recieved mine friday morning. i'v made a bunch of bump keys right away. its a very simple tool nothing to it realy. just the bigest pair of toe nail clippers they make

what did you want to no about them

by **LockNewbie21** » 8 Jul 2006 9:44

Mind showing a pick of the keys? I always wondered how edges and such would turn out, and hows the leverage.. do you have to crank it or it is like a pair of snips cutting window capping? I was just curious, for now.. the price is to much..

Andy

by **Raccoon** » 8 Jul 2006 10:13

I'm curious how difficult it is to cut an accurate key to code. They mention lines for guide, but I don't imagine they're any specific brand's code. It would be great if these came with a micrometer built in.

by **Shrub** » 8 Jul 2006 11:50

The pak a punk from HPC is quite a common one, ive got a differant one, they use a series of cams that are blank specific to allow the accurite space and depth setting to be used,

They are far easier than tin snips are and require little force, they are also very accurite or else they wouldnt work would they,

They can be used for key cutting in general but the best uses is for the occasional key cut on site and much more useful key impressioning a car key,

If you want to copy keys or regulary code cut keys dont get one, they are not made for that purpose, if you do a lot of auto work they are a great tool to have imho,

Key machines use cutters not grinding wheels by the way :wink:

by **p1ckf1sh** » 8 Jul 2006 12:02

Shrub wrote:They can be used for key cutting in general but the best uses is for the occasional key cut on site and much more useful key impressioning a car key,

I hear the reposession industry in the US uses those pretty much. At least I once saw a documentary that showed how they used one.

by **Shrub** » 8 Jul 2006 12:04

Yup, spot on, i saw a program called the reposessers on sky that they used a pak a punch on to grab a tractor unit,

by **LockNewbie21** » 8 Jul 2006 17:43

Cheeers shrub i may get one at a later date, i don't know what tools the lockie that will be teaching me is going to have, as nerve racking its gonna be the first day not spilling pins and tangling springs,

I will trya nd ask him what tool she owuld like me to get, i just got paid today, so i might get an auto set.

And i don;t know if you remember those dyno picks with the blue handles? I am hell bent on the still to

Heres a link There the 14 peice blue handle set, pretty sweet huh? I am curious about them. I don't know if the fangs are double riveted in just the top of the handel.. or go through the whole thing.

http://www.zieh-fix.com/Shop/index.html?lang=en-us

Anybody ever order from germany to the us, and have any problems?

Andy

by **p1ckf1sh** » 8 Jul 2006 18:01

LockNewbie21 wrote:Anybody ever order from germany to the us, and have any problems?

I dunno how the customs react to locksmithing tools at all, but you should be prepared on paying some custom fees on top of the price, especially when they notice that is an commercial sending. You should try to get someone in Germany order it for you and send it to you marked as a gift on the customs sticker. That will be a little more expensive because there is postage twice, but it might save on the customs at the end of the day. I think a private sending marked as gift has a better chance of going uninspected, but I might be wrong.

by **Raccoon** » 8 Jul 2006 18:57

Every 'gift' package I've sent out of country, I've marked the box with a smiley face and "Greetings from New Mexico!".

Haven't had a customs duty added yet.

Speaking of the punch that lockpicks.com sells, and not pak-a-punch, as that one costs 5x more, I'd still like to know about these lines mentioned as a gauge. This punch would be primarily used for impressioning, but it'd save a lot of time if I could easily guess the next depth without grabbing for the callipers.

by **Temple** » 8 Jul 2006 19:13

Well it looks like my question has been answered. It would seem that this is a way to make a key from a blank, I was thinking about getting one mostly to make bump keys and would be a lot cheaper than investing 100's of dollars in a machine. As this will be used for my part time job I can afford to spend 90 bucks for this tool.

Thanks everybody for the response.

What is a Hand Punch/Key Clipper

What is a Hand Punch/Key Clipper

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