Discussion on key machines

[Varjeal]

When shopping for a duplicator for business, it's important that your duplicator has 4 way jaws to be able to more easily cut a wide variety of keys.

Some machines with simple two-way jaws can cause complications when cutting double-sided keys, especially if the keys have close to MACS type bittings near the bow or tip.

[jabraham]

I wouldn't quite say the FB machine is junk. All the keys I've made on it worked like a charm. It has the virtue of extreme simplicity. Also, you can change the depth of cut with the micrometer adjustment when needed--handy at times, and compensates for any inaccuracy in the way the blanks bed in the vises.
I sometimes align blanks by eye to compensate for the crude alignment when aligning by tip. It takes more concentration but it works very well.
The advantage of this kind of simplicity is that you aren't handing over control to the machine, because you can't. So you know what's happening every step of the way. This is a recommended way to learn, from the basics.

[Engineer]

I guess the search function must be working well now, as lots of older posts seem to be getting new replies all of a sudden

[ElAbogado]

Switch blitz costs 7k in Australia!

I found a CW1200 on Craigslist that was originally bought by a maintenance man for an office building who made Schlage keys only. The only code card ever used was the Schlage, and the only cutter used was the MC14. I bet he didn't make more than 100 keys on that machine.

I bought it for $225.00 USD with all the cards and cutting wheels. Just look, they are out there....

El Abogado

[RangerStoner]

I found a framon 2 for $150 on craigslist.. It came with a ton of stuff a guy had gotten at an estate sale...