Can you adjust cut width & slope angle on code cutters?

[WOT]

The basics are the spacing and depths, but the cut width and slope varies between manufacturers.

Best SFIC uses 0.054" width and 90 degree angle between two adjacent slopes.

Schlage classic and Everest is 100 degree angle and 0.031". It doesn't seem like the Framon #2 allows such setting to be made.

Are there code cutters that allows user defined slope angle and cut width except for the application specific code punches?

[zeke79]

Most all code cutting machines have different cutter wheel options. That is, you can buy specific wheels for specific locks. That does not mean you have to buy a whole slew of them for every type of lock you do as most machines come with what is called a "general cylinder" cutter and a "small cylinder cutter" that will cover most of what you do.

Many times if you have say a .045" flat cutter that uses the same angle as a lock that requires a .090" flat you can simply plunge cut twice and have the proper cut or you can buy the specific wheel. Some machines such as the blitz by hpc show you on the code cards how far to widen cuts with the standard cylinder cutter. Machines that are computer driven such as the ITL950 have a big advantage here simply becuase with their software it allows them to emulate all flats with a single cutter.

Hope that helps.

[WOT]

Most all code cutting machines have different cutter wheel options. That is, you can buy specific wheels for specific locks. That does not mean you have to buy a whole slew of them for every type of lock you do as most machines come with what is called a "general cylinder" cutter and a "small cylinder cutter" that will cover most of what you do.

Many times if you have say a .045" flat cutter that uses the same angle as a lock that requires a .090" flat you can simply plunge cut twice and have the proper cut or you can buy the specific wheel. Some machines such as the blitz by hpc show you on the code cards how far to widen cuts with the standard cylinder cutter. Machines that are computer driven such as the ITL950 have a big advantage here simply becuase with their software it allows them to emulate all flats with a single cutter.

Hope that helps.

I wonder if many locksmiths get away by leaving on getting-away factor. I can get away with keys cut by code with file,which can be quite accurate on depth and spacing, but not so accurate on width and slope. It works, but if many many many keys with improper cuts are used, the bottom pins are not going to like 'em.

[2octops]

Most locksmiths could care a less.

If the key turns, they are done.

There are very few that are anal about having exact angles between cuts. I'm not. I either cut on a punch or a HPC 1200 Blitz.

Are the angles correct? I dunno.

Do the keys work easily without sticking? Yes.

[maxxed]

Most locksmiths could care a less.

If the key turns, they are done.

There are very few that are anal about having exact angles between cuts. I'm not. I either cut on a punch or a HPC 1200 Blitz.

Are the angles correct? I dunno.

Do the keys work easily without sticking? Yes.

Yup that's about it

[Raccoon]

Consider that most locksmiths also use LAB generic pins, and almost never ever buy OEM brand original pins. With this in mind, the slopes are primarily angled to compliment the taper of the bottom pins, to prevent beveled edges from being worn into the pins and key slopes.

Generic wheels best compliment LAB pins.

And yes, this can affect your MACS spec if you are keying a large system, but drop a point off the MACS for any delicate system, like Sargent (which has a greater slope), and you'll be fine.

[2octops]

Since you brought up MACS, I'll also point out that if using a HPC 1200, you can not put a 0 cut next to a 9 on a Schlage SC key, but if using a punch, you can.

So the angle does matter to a point, but usually in the real world it rarely ever presents a problem.

[WOT]

Since you brought up MACS, I'll also point out that if using a HPC 1200, you can not put a 0 cut next to a 9 on a Schlage SC key, but if using a punch, you can.

So the angle does matter to a point, but usually in the real world it rarely ever presents a problem.

With Schlage classic, you're not supposed to anyways, because the MACS spec is 7. Icore is unlimited and does allow 0 and 9 side by side however.

Could you cut 9090124 on a Best key with a HPC 1200?

[2octops]

Could you cut 9090124 on a Best key with a HPC 1200?

Dunno. Never tried.

I've used Best orange and Prolock Blue punches for these since I started.

I can not remember a real world incident that I ever needed to cut a SFIC key like that.

[zeke79]

Actually MACS for schlage is 6. If you got your info from the old dlaco files, many of them have mistakes.

[WOT]

Actually MACS for schlage is 6. If you got your info from the old dlaco files, many of them have mistakes.

I got it from Schlage factory service manual.
http://professional.schlage.com/pdfs/pc ... vc_Man.pdf

"These specs are the same for all Schlage Classic and Everest full size keyways"

[maxxed]

I have a couple of factory cut Schlage keys that have a 2 next to a 9 so I would have to back WOT on this one

[zeke79]

Thanks for the update on that. I was going by my hpc 1200 cards and I believe it even stated 6 in the hpc S&D manuals. I will make a note on my card and manuals.

[Raccoon]

good call on not trusting dlaco, but i'm really surprised it was hpc that messed up this time. nice that schlage posts their specs online, unlike some manufs. looking at the spec, i didn't even know schlage had 3 different top pin sizes.

link to pdf page with the spec.
http://professional.schlage.com/pdfs/pc ... df#page=11

[zeke79]

Tell me about it raccoon. I found another mistake on an old hpc card for large pin master padlocks on the 1092 ilco blank. The true increment is .0155 on depths. My hpc card showed a 7 cut as being .170 but cut at .163 at the #7 indicator. Whipped out the framon manual and sure enough the #7 depth is .163. The depths listed on the hpc card were .006" off but the card ended up indicating to the right depths per the framon manual when cut. Odd really .