What is a good inexpensive key cutting machine for this key?

[gobble]

I'll be cutting maybe 3 or 4 keys a month for a specific car I work on. This is an original and blank for 90's Fiat, Alfa, Ferrari, etc.

I'd like to buy a relatively inexpensive machine that will efficiently cut these. I bought one of the $150 Chinese machines off Ebay and found it's a piece of junk. Specifically, I can't figure out how to insert the keys straight into the jig and get an accurate cut. Also, you'll notice the metal extends out of the blank farther than the original. I had an ACE hardware store cut a couple already and they worked perfect, so I know it can be done.

Can someone point me to a several hundred dollar machine, can be new or used, that will be easy to use and get it right every time?

[GWiens2001]

I have cut those types with an HPC Speedex. Once you accurately calibrate it, then use consistent light force to cut the keys.

Gordon

[gobble]

Thanks for the reply!

I was looking at the Speedex but HPC told me on the phone that it's only strong enough for brass keys and I thought this was steel. Maybe I got bad information.

Here's one I cut on my cheap China machine. Do you think it will work? The little notches don't seem to be as deep as the original.

[GWiens2001]

Thanks for the reply!

I was looking at the Speedex but HPC told me on the phone that it's only strong enough for brass keys and I thought this was steel. Maybe I got bad information.

Here's one I cut on my cheap China machine. Do you think it will work? The little notches don't seem to be as deep as the original.

You need to calibrate the machine. Can see the differences you mentioned even with the naked eye.

If you provide pictures of your machine, we can probably give you tips on how to calibrate it to cut accurately.

Gordon

[gobble]

Here's the machine. I tried calibrating it but no matter what I do it won't cut the little indents deep enough. I'm happy to order the mini speedex and send this back if you think that's the better way to go. At ~$350 the mini speedex is within my budget.

[billdeserthills]

I actually stock these keys in my shop and lots of other locksmiths likely do as well, (order # SP25 I think) so I don't understand why you
want to have your own machine, however if you want to calibrate your key machine the first thing I do is get a brand
new old stock Schlage lock from my inventory. Take the keys out and try them both in the lock-- Pick the best working
key out of the 2 provided and cut a copy of it. Now cut a copy of that copy & lastly cut a copy from the copy you copied (not joking)
Now you have made a 3rd generation key-- if that key works in your Schlage lock then your key machine is really calibrated close enough for gov't work, if not it's time to do something the hardware store cannot & that is adjust your key machine.

When you buy a quality key machine, it should cut at least a 3rd generation key right out of the box
You could waste a whole box of key blanks+ if you don't understand the details involved in properly adjusting
your key machine.

[gobble]

I actually stock these keys in my shop and lots of other locksmiths likely do as well, (order # SP25 I think) so I don't understand why you
want to have your own machine, however if you want to calibrate your key machine the first thing I do is get a brand
new old stock Schlage lock from my inventory. Take the keys out and try them both in the lock-- Pick the best working
key out of the 2 provided and cut a copy of it. Now cut a copy of that copy & lastly cut a copy from the copy you copied (not joking)
Now you have made a 3rd generation key-- if that key works in your Schlage lock then your key machine is really calibrated close enough for gov't work, if not it's time to do something the hardware store cannot & that is adjust your key machine.

When you buy a quality key machine, it should cut at least a 3rd generation key right out of the box
You could waste a whole box of key blanks+ if you don't understand the details involved in properly adjusting
your key machine.

You have these exact blanks with the plastic head? Ilco told me they stopped making them and I had to do a special order through the distributor that took 4 months and came from Italy.

I have a website www.ferrarifobs.com where I help late 90's early 2000's Ferrari owners add fobs in the crazy Bosch system. I've had quite a few people ask me if I sell keys so I bought these as an inexpensive convenience to the very expensive dealer version.

Do you think this Chinese machine is capable of getting to a third generation key or would you recommend something else?

[billdeserthills]

I don't like your key machine, but if the new key you cut is longer than the original, that alone could be the reason it won't work
as far as the shallow notches go, most key blank manufacturers blanks start a tiny bit lower in order to save brass. Your deeper cuts
seem to be at about the same depth, so check the length and also make sure the key is actually going past the shutter of the lock when you insert it (going all the way into the key hole) Sometimes the shoulder will need to be filed to allow the key to fully enter because these exotic car blanks don't always match all the required specs

I do have these same keys, but I wouldn't doubt them being the last 5 I'll ever see--since I have only used 5 in the last 20 years I won't worry about getting more...

Interestingly enough these blanks are actually steel, I guess cutting 5 more won't totally destroy my cutter

[gobble]

Problem solved! I picked this machine up tonight off a craigslist ad from a guy that manages a large apartment building. They recently upgraded to a newer machine. $200! I went through the calibration (which was easy) and it works perfectly and is easy to use.

Good deal?

[billdeserthills]

That is a great deal,
don't forget a little turbine oil for the cutter shaft or you'll burn up those bushings

[gobble]

Thanks for the tip.

How difficult would it use this machine to cut keys from a photo? Is it even possible with this machine? That would be a really cool option to offer people.

[GWiens2001]

Thanks for the tip.

How difficult would it use this machine to cut keys from a photo? Is it even possible with this machine? That would be a really cool option to offer people.

That would really depend on your experience and access to the correct depth/space keys. I would not recommend it as a selling point for you.

Gordon