key cutter gun? real or tv magic?

[Krypos]

ok so i was watching csi miami, and its this one about some repo/irs guy seizing a yacht, well theres all this story and junk between it, but they show (very briefly) a gun, but it is called a key gun, its a gun sized/shaped tool that cuts keys on the fly. all you do is input the key code and the correct key type and then pull the trigger 4,5 or 6 times, depending on the amount of pins. adn voila! a key cut and ready. (of course, they didnt go into depth on the working of it, so this is a lot of speculation)

so my question is, is this real? i know MANY MANY MANY tv/movie picking scenarios are only partly true or are completely bogus, however, this seemed plausible to me. (maybe a foolish thing to think?)

is it real or not?

[bpc293]

sounds almost like a key punch.

[devildog]

Betcha it was a pak-a-punch: http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=285

[linty]

probably a punch. these are very handy for institutional locksmithing, and some of the auto dealers around here use them too.
the big drawback here is lack of versatility. i don't know what kind of key you'd need for a yacht but they don't really make these things for uncommon keys. Also, you'd need to carry a box full of punches (or some use attachments) to get anything done. that's why they are only really useful for institutional locksmiths who have a whole building of best or schlage and can make keys anywhere.

[p1ckf1sh]

i don't know what kind of key you'd need for a yacht but they don't really make these things for uncommon keys.

I have seen that episode. They had a short CSI-like closeup of the punch cutting a regular pin tumbler key. As my yacht is in the shop for repairs, I cannot comment how common it is to use a pin tumbler lock as an engine starter lock on a boat though...

[Shrub]

Im guessing it was a wafer lock on a switch and then they have an engine start button,

[Krypos]

OH MY GOD! TV WAS RIGHT FOR ONCE! i cannot believe it! its real... almost always when we see tv/movie stuff, its fake or only partly real, but this...this is real...wow.

thats so cool. i can see how it would only be useful in some situations, but its still way cool. thanks guys.

[unlisted]

I saw an episode where they repoed a motorhome, they also used a pak a punch...


took the guy 3 tries with the key and he finally got the right cut..
he was putting the key in the lock, turning.. than looking at the...

oh my.. now this is advanced...

[Krypos]

I saw an episode where they repoed a motorhome, they also used a pak a punch...


took the guy 3 tries with the key and he finally got the right cut..
he was putting the key in the lock, turning.. than looking at the...

oh my.. now this is advanced...

as i read this i am trying to understand what is so advanced here. i reread it like 4 times and i still dont get it. someone explain it to me please.

[globallockytoo]

Sounds like you guys and girls have never heard of the Curtis Clipper!

[unlisted]

Decoding auto locks is not advanced?

Thats where my post was leading...

[Shrub]

Ive got the curtis clipper so i have heard of it, the pak a punch is the same sort of thing but newer,

[Schuyler]

CSI tend to take a great deal of pride in their research.

[Krypos]

Decoding auto locks is not advanced?

Thats where my post was leading...

decoding auto locks is advanced, however, only if talking about how to or anything in detail about it. just saying what a guy was doing (not HOW) isnt advanced. same thing as saying i have a safe i drilled open, i bought it at a garage sale, no key, so i drilled it.

thats advanced material, however, it is allowed because i didnt say "i drilled at XX location, on XX brand safe"

[unlisted]

Well I was going to explain how he knew where to cut the key, and how he did it to make the key turn the ignition lock, to start the enging, so I figure thats advanced.