Hollywoodpick wrote:Am i missing something. Can you buy one Pro-lok blue and just buy quick to change out parts for each key style.
@Hollywoodpick:
No, you are not missing anything... The only Pro-lok blue punch which is 100% compatible with more than one type of lock manufacturer is the Best SFIC blue punch -- where with additional "code bars" (the metal sliding piece which sets the bitting depth) are available if you buy a machine set up for A2 as the spacing remains the same, it is just the depths set by the code bar which are different...
Other manufacturers specific blue punches would have a differently shaped punch head which would not make keys properly to spec for other manufacturers...
Hollywoodpick wrote:I just spent a long time in another auto key locksmith site i am a member of reading after i did a search for Pac-A-Punch and that Pac-A-Punch seems to be used buy just about everyone over their. I lot of people are using it in place of the large elc code cutters as they can bring the Pac-A-Punch with them right to the car or home and now they have motercycle versions out to you can add on.
Seems like the advantage of the Pac-A-Punch from what i have been reading is you can change it out to another key style is a few seconds and start cutting right away.
Making me kinda lean to the Pac-A-Punch and them maybe the small lower cost speedex to have for dups or other things that would be best on a elc cutter.
Also everyone is using Accu readers or EEZ Readers to get the code and then Pac-A-Punch right on the spot to read and cut with in 2 to 3 mins no walking back to your van or car to make a cut.
I think this sounds like what i would be doing the most to..
But i am still reading so i am not set on anything yet. I do want to place my order this week. I did order some space keys off e-bay they had the best price.
Thank for the reply
It is also very expensive to get all the the code wheels and cutter head pieces you need for a Pak-A-Punch to be able to do everything you need it to... Plus you need to keep them well organized...
If you decided on an HPC 1200 machine it doesn't take all that long to set it up to do different kinds of cylinder keys by changing the cutter wheel and sliding in the correct code card... You can use the HPC 1200 to decode worn keys by placing the key you wish to decode in the vise NOT turning the machine on and going space by space turning the depth knob until the cutter wheel touches the key you are decoding...
So I mean it can do a lot once you learn how to use it and the HPC can do several additional things if you buy the add on kits for it, the tubular key kit and the Tibbe type auto keys for Fords and Jaguars...
Switching out in a few seconds to cut a different type of key is useful however I assume that one day you will want to be able to still move your wrists without having pain, if you move forward using a Pak-A-Punch for every cylinder key you originate it will only be a matter of time before you will have carpal tunnel in your wrist(s)...
I said before that Pak-A-Punches are useful tools when you have to impression an automotive lock once you have the skills to do that because you can quickly cut the key to the proper specs without having to manually file it down by hand...
How nice do you think your wrists are going to feel after Pak-A-Punching several hundred keys for a _small_ master key system ?
You have to realize that what you want to do and the equipment you decide to purchase right now will limit what you are capable of doing later on without buying an additional piece of machinery, this is not just a matter of my opinion, it is fact...
Depth and Space keys are ONLY good for emergencies -- as a locksmith you should strive to sell quality products which actually are what you are selling them as, a "code cut" key is one which has been originated on a code cutting key machine, not one which is a 1st generation duplicate key which has been copied from a depth key set on a tracer-duplicator machine, no amount of semantics or explanations can overcome that difference... Do not build your business on fraud, selling the lesser duplicated key as a code originated key, especially not for the reason that it is cheaper for you to do it that way when you are just starting out...
~~ Evan
