Foley-Belsaw FB200 Key Machine Upgrades?

[rwp42]

I was wondering if anyone had experience with the digital direct read depth and spacing indicator upgrades offered by FB for the model 200 Key Machine? It's FB Part #: 5729726 $177.00 Direct Read Digital Micrometer Depth and Spacing Upgrade Kit for FB Model 200 Key Machine.

RwP

[dondel05]

Aloha!

I have the digital depth and spacing set on My 200.
Installation was pretty easy and setup is pretty basic also.
I find that it works fine for coding and because of my eyesight it is much easier to read than the standard setup. The only problem I have is what to do with the old micrometers.

Hope this is of some help!

Donald

[rwp42]

dondel05 -

Thanks a bunch for the info! I may order these once I get the hang of the machine in its default state.

RwP

[Eyes_Only]

Speaking from the stand point of someone who uses professional key machines on a daily basis at work, the FB machine is ok but if you can save up for it and plan on doing some really crazy projects with it, I would invest in HPC Code Cutter.

I used to love my FB machine but after I got acquainted with the Rytan, Bravo II and the HPC Code Cutter at work, I just can't even look at my FB cutter anymore.

Hmm....this was more of a rant than advice or tips.

[rwp42]

Eyes_Only - Actually, I appreciate the recommendation. I figured that once I get serious, the FB200 would be replaced down the road. There's a giant jump from "included with my $600 FB course" to "$thousands cash", though

Which specific HPC machine do you have? Is it the Blitz, Blue Shark, or CodeMax?

Thanks again.

RwP

[zeke79]

My personal opinion and only an opinion is if you are going to drop $2,000 for a blitz why not drop $3500 and get the ITL950. I love my ITL and since getting it have not touched the blitz period. The itl is standalone computer controlled, can run off of 120vac or 12vdc with no inverters, has built in auto codes, built in half cuts, calibration is done on the keypad very easily by just pecking in how many thousandths you are off instead of turn this piece and check, turn it again and check etc. You can also connect the machine to a pc and send your masterkey system to the machine and cut the keys, send keys from most code softwares etc. You can also design your own masterkey system with the machine itself. No other computer required. You can also temporarily change calibrations for one key if you get an odd batch of blanks and not affect how the machine is calibrated for all other keys you cut. The other great feature is you only have to buy ONE cutting wheel. The machine itself emulates all flats whereas the blitz, codemax, framon, etc you have to buy different cutting wheels for different applications. At $100 and up for each cutter this adds up very quickly. There is alot you can do with this machine that I have not listed. The one downfall of the machine is that it has no deburring brush. I have an old machine I converted to a standalone deburring station.

[rwp42]

zeke79 - Thanks for the recommendation. I am a LONG way from spending any money on a key machine right now, but I hope that my business picks up enough to justify the expense at some point.

RwP

[Eyes_Only]

We use the HPC 1200CMB. Its a really great piece of equipment. Changing the cutter out is a bit inconvinient at the beginning but you get used to it.

[zeke79]

It is not so much changing the cutter wheel but the tolerances between the wheels. Most locks dont care but try being .003" out on a best lock if you are cutting them on a blitz.

The blitz is a great machine I agree but my personal opinion is that I like the ITL950C better.