Key Cutting Machines?

[fawkesinator89]

Hey guys, first off I would like to thank all of you for being so helpful and willing to answer whenever I have had questions. I was wondering what everyones opinion is on getting a manual key cutter as my first key cutting investment as apposed to a code machine. I have heard multiple people talk about getting code cutters but the price is significantly more. I would be making house keys and some commercial keys with this cutter. Your thoughts?

[globallockytoo]

Hey guys, first off I would like to thank all of you for being so helpful and willing to answer whenever I have had questions. I was wondering what everyones opinion is on getting a manual key cutter as my first key cutting investment as apposed to a code machine. I have heard multiple people talk about getting code cutters but the price is significantly more. I would be making house keys and some commercial keys with this cutter. Your thoughts?

100% of locksmiths used a manual key cutter prior to a code machine. Technically, you can be one without one, but it is illogical to be a locksmith without one.

[Evan]

@fawkesinator89:

Can you survive without a code cutter ?

Somewhat...

Should you survive without a code cutter ?

No...

Do you want to spend lots of wasted money to make sure
you have every set of depth keys you could possibly need
to make sure you can duplicate a 2nd generation code key ?

Do you want to get to a job to have to turn down the
business because you can't originate a new key for that
type of lock because you have no depth keys for it ?

There are lots of tiny locks in offices which use various
pin and wafer type bitting systems and it would cost
a lot of money to have proper depth keys on hand for all
of them...

Are you going to buy sets of depth keys for every model
of vehicle known to man so you can duplicate a code
key to replace a worn or missing key ?

Cheaper and more professional in the long run to
bite the bullet and buy a code machine, even if it
is used...

~~ Evan

[fawkesinator89]

These are some very good points and im glad you have brought them up. Ill just have to bit the bullet and dish out the money for a code machine. Thanks for the input.

[ElbowMacaroni]

I would have to say that they have provided very salient points there and that your decision to to heed their advice and bite the bullet for a code cutter is a wise one. And one that you will not regret. If you were a hobbiest it'd be one thing, but since you're talking about actual locksmithing, you'd be at a big disadvantage not having one.

[grundrakkon]

Other options are a dual-operation machine (does code and duplication) which are expensive, but not as much as two separate machines. Or a high-quality code machine and a pair of calipers and/or depth gauges and make your duplicates by code. It takes a bit longer, but is possible and makes spot-on copies to factory specs. I ran only an HPC Blitz out of the back of my service vehicle for 4 1/2 years.

[ElbowMacaroni]

Also, for code cutting, one could decide to get lots of hand exercise and get a pak-a-punch.

Personally, I have an old Ilco mini-mite duplicator and a bunch of depth and space keys which can be used to cut to code. Takes a little longer, but it is a compromise on price and can dupe or cut to code easily.

[cledry]

Other options are a dual-operation machine (does code and duplication) which are expensive, but not as much as two separate machines. Or a high-quality code machine and a pair of calipers and/or depth gauges and make your duplicates by code. It takes a bit longer, but is possible and makes spot-on copies to factory specs. I ran only an HPC Blitz out of the back of my service vehicle for 4 1/2 years.

Wow I couldn't imagine doing that. We often supply 50 or more keys on a single job and have done as many as 2000 of the same key. If you figure your time is worth a minimum of $50 an hour then 1 day would pay for a duplicator. The time saved would pay for it in probably less than one week.