Discussion on key machines

by **Varjeal** » 4 Mar 2005 10:04

Try here:

http://67.19.70.5/~clksuppl/shop/index. ... 667fb65dde

http://www.keymart.com/key_machines.htm

http://www.autolocks.com/LVSKYMCH.HTM

http://www.discountkeymachines.com/

http://www.wurthusa.com/en/catalog/inde ... =ind&id=10

http://www.avcokey.com/Key%20Machines/k ... _index.htm

That should give you an idea of what prices to expect.

by **Romstar** » 4 Mar 2005 18:06

I got an Ilco 027 duplicator for a ludicrously cheap price through a local classified ad.

The 027 is the key machine that Education Direct uses for their course, and the fellow that sold it to me had gotten it from that course.

Romstar

by **HeadHunterCEO** » 5 Mar 2005 0:54

I have a bravo 2 at the shop which is great for 300 lock rekeys
cuts fast and accurate

plus the mcro adj is perfexct for duping worn auto keys that need some more meat added

The ilco 45 is my second fav

by **Lockpick Dan** » 5 Mar 2005 9:58

Do you guys have any suggestions for a good computer controlled key machine at a resonable price? I've looked at the Framon II, the HPC Blue Shark, and the kaba-ilco UltraCode. Trying to figure out which of these is better for their prices, or if there are any better key machines I should be looking at.

by **Varjeal** » 6 Mar 2005 14:46

What's your price range?

by **vector40** » 6 Mar 2005 16:58

Judging by this thread, I don't think there are any computer code cutters within anything I'd call a reasonable price

You've gotta consider it one of your main investments.

by **Lockpick Dan** » 6 Mar 2005 17:41

I'm thinking around 5,000 or so. Maybe it's just me, but from when I job shadowed a local locksmith, it seemed like having a computer controlled key machine made it a lot easier. Just wondering, about how much harder it is to use a SwitchBlitz than a Framon II for instance?

by **Peaky** » 7 Mar 2005 6:35

As an idea most of this thread would be better under a separate thread on key machines, im not grumbleing just suggesting,

To get back to the list of tools, a good dust pan and brush is almost a necessity and i also carry a battery handheld vacume cleaner.

by **Varjeal** » 7 Mar 2005 10:13

Nice one Peaky...I'll edit the post for those...very important items. *serious*

by **Peaky** » 7 Mar 2005 12:14

I had a thought for some uk items but i think theres more experianced people on here that would list them better,

I will have a go later and if unsuitable can be deleted.

Cheers Varjeal, glad you put the *serious* on or else i would have had to load the sarcastic detecter up :lol:

by **grit1** » 12 Oct 2005 15:07

I have a Folley Bellsaw duplicator like the one mentioned earlier. It's a neat project out of the box, as you have to mount the duplicator and the motor on a board that you supply

. It did a good job, no complaints other than the key micrometer on mine is really stiff and difficult to turn. A little 3-in-1 goes a long way. I now have a HPC Premiere Speedex manual duplicator and it never misses! I enjoy the HPC "softie" deburring brush as well.

I got the p-speedex on/off of e-bay, as e-bay doesn't allow duplicators anymore. I saw an auction, PM'd the seller and made him an offer off of E-bay. Got a deal though. I still use the F-B for trimming blanks / utility work, and if I ever had to duplicate a flat steel key. ~Grit.

by **ufd538** » 17 Oct 2005 19:28

the belsaw will get you through....but as it is said, you get what you pay for. i used a belsaw for about a year, but only as a duplicator....as a code machine it would seem more practical to use depth keys. Never copied flat steel keys either. If you are doing mobile work, it will do, i would not suggest it for a shop. Ideally I would suggest an semi auto machine. the more you spend the better...ussually. I have an ilco o44....good enough for mobile, can't complain, but not near as nice as the machine in the shop.

As far as a code cutter, i think a framon 2 is great. you can spend alot of money on computerized machine, but why? A framon 2 does a great job and and can be had for $1700 new as opposed to $5000 usd. I had another locksmith tell me he got a computerized machine because he could not figure out how to cut medeco keys....if you can't figure that out, you shouldn't be a locksmith. I mean computerized would be nice, but there are so many better ways to spend an extra $3300.

and as far a switch blitz, if you operate out of a car or have space constraints then fine, but if you are in a van, and have room, remember that if the machine goes down, you can't duplicate or originate keys. but if you have 2 machines and one goes down, not as big as deal

by **apt_owner** » 13 Jan 2006 13:35

The lowest price unit I could find online (for the U.S.) was at the Home Depot store.

www.homedepot.com Then search for ILCO.

They have an ILCO #008 for $300 USD (they also have ILCO #045 for $500 USD)

I don't have either of these so I can't speak to their use.

by **Varjeal** » 13 Jan 2006 16:28

The 045 I have used before and it's a very solid (and heavy) machine. It will take a lot of abuse before ( and if) it dies.

I personally have a Silca Delta semi-auto bouncing around in the back and it's served me well for over 4 years now.

by **motorhead** » 26 Jan 2006 8:24

This is an easy one...

1) The Foley Belsaw machine is junk!

2) My personal favorite code machine is the Framon 2. If you insist on the HPC than buy the Ilco Universal 2. Its an HPC copy and you will receive all the code cards on CD. HPC charges extra for those plus the Ilco is cheaper.
http://www.framon.com/fra2.html
http://www.kaba-ilco.com/key_systems/products/key_machines/code_machines_cyl_auto.aspx?sm=dcm

3) The Rytan RY200 is my favorite duplicator. I do all my work with the Framon 2 and Rytan.
http://www.rytan.com/cgi-bin/detail.php?pn=RY200

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