Manual Key Cutter

[sharpfire]

Hello everyone,
I have seen this item discussed a little bit throughout the forum but I have a few more questions about this product. It is the advanced key cutter at http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16425 . Many people said it was junk. I was wondering if it can cut any type of keys or is it made for a certain type of key like kwikset? Will this tool be accutate enough to use a digital caliper and then use the the marked scale on it to cut a key?? Does it have markings for depth and also space? Has anyone here ever used this product and did you like it?? Thanks for your time.

[straightpick]

Save your money. It can be used to clip some keys, but they have to be flat on one side, like Kwikset, Schlage, Master Lock. It won't cut paracentric like Yale. The one review said the scale is pretty much useless as the cover is in the way. There is no spacing setting on it - you have to place the key you want to copy on top of another blank, scribe the cuts then cut them. It is basically just a clipper. If you know how to cut keys you could make use of it is some situations but if this is your first time you will be disappointed. Not a precision cutter like the Curtis clipper.

[cppdungeon]

As usual, I am sure you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a cheap key machine, do a craigslist search in your area--sometimes you can find a cheap duplicator.

--Cpp

[WOT]

Deal Extreme is the internet equivalent of Harbor Freight. Good for something you'll use once or twice.

[thelockoutguys]

Im one of the fish type guys too...when i see something shiny and flasy i bite! I bought this a while ago and have never found a situation where it would be faster , more professional , more accurate using this than something else.. dont know what i was thinking ..I would say its a novelty tool. If your not a locksmith or have any other locksmithing or keymaking tools i guess it would come in handy if it was the only tool or one could make bump keys with it ...

[Eyes_Only]

I've only found one good use for that clipper and that is for using with the Lishi/13Song 3-piece key replicating kit for the high security car locks. It can clip out keys like H75 or SC1 but I would prefer not to anymore.

I was using the first one I ever got on a B106 GM key and I snapped off the punch portion of the tool cos the key was too think for the clipper to handle. Now if I want to punch out some keys I stick to my HPC Punch Machine. That thing is a beauty! A little more limited than the 1200 Blitz but it still works great!

[ElAbogado]

As usual, I am sure you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a cheap key machine, do a craigslist search in your area--sometimes you can find a cheap duplicator.

--Cpp

craigslist is great. Bought an ilco 045 almost new with 1,200 key blanks for $125, and an HPC CW1200 with cards and cutters in great shape for $225. I'm always looking for deals and search on "locksmith" "key machine" "key duplicator" and "key copier".

[lock2006]

I got one of this cutter and i am happy so far
i used it to cut some keys including a couples of bumps keys
schlage and kwikset and they works pretty good on both of
these cylinder locks
no complaints so far.

[fgarci03]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what it means a paracentric key?

Save your money. It can be used to clip some keys, but they have to be flat on one side, like Kwikset, Schlage, Master Lock. It won't cut paracentric like Yale.

I googled it and still can't understand what's the difference to other keys.

I mean, I'd like to get that Manual Key cutter, mainly to make bump keys, but also to copy a couple of keys once in a while. I may also give it a try in impressioning but that's not the main goal for me to buy the cutter. But I don't really know what kind of keys it can cut, and what it can't.

Thank you

[Pickmequick]

That tool is not meant for keys.

If you have a Lishi pick and decoder, you can use flat steel keys supplied by Lishi to make temporary keys for vehicles to enable lock stripping etc.

It is very good for that but forget anything else.

[fgarci03]

Yes I am aware of Lishi's decoder picks. But I thought this cutter could also cut regular pin tumbler keys (think I saw a video somewhere but can't be sure).

So is there any manual key cutter avaliable at a reasonable price?


Thank you so much for the info, I would eventualy buy it to try

[lockr]

So is there any manual key cutter avaliable at a reasonable price?

How about a Dremel?

Seriously though, if you're only cutting one or two keys now and then, just make them by hand. It's fun

[fgarci03]

I don't have many tools available. I've managed to make a couple that work but they aren't consistent. Hence wanting a manual key cutter to make perfect ones


As for a dremel, it's not that expensive to buy it, and it would work for many things.. I may give it a try!

Thanks!

[lunchb0x]

That tool is not meant for keys.

If you have a Lishi pick and decoder, you can use flat steel keys supplied by Lishi to make temporary keys for vehicles to enable lock stripping etc.

It is very good for that but forget anything else.

I have these clippers and the only use that I had for them was as Pickme said, but now the clippers sit in a draw doing nothing as I always use the 2 in 1 Lishi's and cut a working key from that, no need for the clippers.

[fgarci03]

But isn't there a manual cutter to make pin tumbler keys on the spot?
I really thought there was