Key Cutting Machines

[trent]

I've had a thing for locks and keys since the age of one. My parents potty-trained me by giving me some old keys and I had loads of fun with them (believe it or not). Ever since, I've had an interest in locks and have made my own picks! Now, I'm ordering a PXS-14 set and the book: Visual Guide to Lockpicking. It looks like it's pretty well rated among this forum, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Are there any other books I should look at? (I've read the MIT Guide ten times, the HowStuffWorks.com guide and a few others).

I have a few questions that I didn't find in the FAQs. After a little searching on the web, it looks like key cutting machines are quite expensive. Are there any entry-level machines available? I found a store that sells blanks extremely cheap ($0.31 for a commercial door key) at http://mysecuritypro.com, but the shipping kills me ($10 for UPS Ground). Are blanks an item that Home Depot will likely sell to an average person?

An alternative: I have a #2 and what I believe to be a #4 file (can't read that small). Is it extremely time consuming to cut a blank with a file for a 7 pin key?

[trent]

Oh... what are bump keys? They're not in the FAQs and I can't find a post with a description of them...

[rayman452]

7 Pin key? What are you trying to open exactly? Please, we need to know more information.

[trent]

My apologies... I meant to write a six pin key. It goes to my back door.

[vector40]

Key machines are generally expensive. The cheapest duplicator I've seen is the Foley-Belsaw machine, which apparently works but is pretty scrummy; you can modify it to cut to code, but it takes more $ for the upgrades.

I think the HPC Mini Speedex is not too terribly expensive.

Code machines seem costly no matter what.

Most blanks are not considered a controlled item.

You can file keys, but it's a pain in the neck. What exactly is your intention in getting a key machine, cutting keys, etc.? Are you looking to become a locksmith? I don't know many people who cut keys for fun; it's not exactly sculpture.

Bump keys are a method of opening locks using a key cut to the lowest depths for each pin (usually "9"). There's a good article written by Barry Wels that discusses it, here: http://www.toool.nl/bumping.pdf

[trent]

Interesting...

[Romstar]

The average US cost of a quality key duplicating machine from companies such as Ilco, HPC, Curtis, Framon, Silca/Orion and others starts at the $350.00 mark, and goes as high as $1,500.00 . On average you can expect to pay $350.00 unless you spend some time shopping around, or find a lucky deal.

Any code cutting machine, such as the HPC Blitz, The Framon 2, or other machine is going to run you $2,000.00 + and any computer controlled code machine is going to be even more expensive. This include machines like the HPC Blue SHARK, the CodeMAX, The Silca Unocode, the ITL 9x series and others. These machines range from $3,500.00 - $5,000.00

Machines designed for duplicating so-called "laser cut" keys, such as the Matrix series can cost more than $5,000.00 and the very few code machines designed for these types of keys are as much as $8,000.00

There are also extra sccessories, cutters and other materials involved with code machines. Even the simpler ones such as the HPC Blitz.

If you just want a duplicator, see if you can find a used machine somewhere that hasn't been abused. If you are more interested in cutting by code, I highly recomend the HPC Blitz or Ilco's Universal II. In the realm of code cutting, you can also look into punch machines like the HPC 1200PCH. The drawback to puch machines is that the jaws and cutters for different brands of locks are often more expensive than the cutter wheels for the Blitz.

The perfect combination machine is the HPC 1233CMHB, also known as the "Switch Blitz". This machine does both duplicating, and cutting by code, and is perhaps one of the best overall values on the market.

If you are in need of a low cost code machine, investigate the Foley-Belsaw Model 200 code cutter. Spend the money to get both micrometers, and learn how to use this machine. It will sever you well for occasional use, or until you can afford a more dedicated machine.

Another possible option is the use of "depth and space" keys with a manual duplicator. This is annoying, as you need a set for each brand of lock, and sometimes model of lock. Also, because a D&S set can consist of as many as 10 keys. So, assuming you have D&S sets for Yale, Kwikset, Weiser, Schlage, Sargent, Corbin, Weslock, and maybe a few more, that makes over 50 keys to keep organized, and you have to do a lot of switching around to cut a key. You soon come to the conclusion that the time saved is well worth the money you spend on a proper code machine.

Filing keys can be a tedious and often frustrating job, and as such is really only recomended for the purposes of impressioning a lock. Even after the lock has been successfully impressioned, the best course of action is to decode the key, and cut a new one by code on a code machine. The inaccuracy of impressioned keys, coupled with their often ragged edges can potentially cause damage to a lock over a very short time.

Regardless of what you choose, take the time to learn the proper way to do the job with the tools you have, and you will be much happier with it, and often much faster.

Good luck,
Romstar

[BUNGYSTRAP]

Duplicating keys by filing is a skill needed but usually ignored because it takes time to perfect. Once masteed a few deft strokes with a file can make a big difference to problems commonly encountered whereas a file butcher can destroy all in his path. If you take time to learn this skill it will be an asset and of constant use.

[grit1]

I started with a F.B. dupliacator, with the micrometer attachment for code cutting, and upgraded to an HPC premier speedex ... that machine is soooo accurate, especially with the Sargent masters I've been cutting. Quiet too. ~Grit.

[SFGOON]

Being potty trained with keys leads to a career in locksmithing...

I'm going to resist the temptation to crack a few jokes at your expense.

Welcome to the forums.