accuracy? on code machines

punch FOR? car keys? sure... house keys??? ehh, I want to see that first.. you CAN get house key punches, but what I seen are set for A single key... Schlage, and it dont do KW... or KW, and it does nothing else...\

--Shiva--

I'd go with a good powered machine and look at getting a power inverter for yor vehicle. That would solve your "power" problem. IMO there are too many shortfalls with the punches unless you're looking at very limited applications and specialty work. MHBCO.

Mike Thomas Lock & Key For an email list discussion of locksmith related marketing concepts join us:

I have read alot of good comments about the "Blitz" 1200CMB code machine.I am considering buying one. I have a Pak-A-Punch now and I have cut some I/C keys with it.The factory setting does seem accurate as the keys I cut worked right off the bat. But I would'nt recommend the pak-a-punch for large institutional type jobs-it could get tiring. But for originating keys for cars it is portable enough to have right in the vehicle with you.

Also, You could invest some money in a good quality key micrometer or caliper,Cut a few keys with your machine and gauge them.

Later, goma

Punches are great for limited applications, however if you need to use them to do many widley varying applications it can get expensive fast. Why not a cutter based machine powered off an inverter?

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for a one and only machine. forget the punch and get a powered machine. we use the HPC 1200 code cutter. think about putting a generator or inverter in your service vehicle. the power will also come in handy for needed power tools.

my2

As others have posted, punches get expensive really fast. I am buying my second CodePro machine, as the first one was stolen.

These are about the same money as a 1200 or a Framon, but there are no dials to squint at, no cards to keep track of, and you don't have to continually swap cutter wheels. They squirt out keys almost as fast as you can deburr them and all the keys work slicker than snot.

By the time you buy the pak a punch with all of the attachments, you are probably looking at more money and you can cut less kinds of keys.

The main advantage of a punch seems to be portability. You can work at a customer site without needing electricity, which means you can set up just about anywhere. Whether that's a real benefit depends on the kind of jobs you're doing...

The preprogrammed-depth punch machines may also be faster, which can be an advantage if you're churning out a few hundred keys for a master-keyed site. Of course if you're taking about the punch version of a dial-and-gauge machine, where you have to look carefully at each setting rather than turning it to the next click, that advantage pretty much vanishes. (Note that there are preprogrammed-depth powered machines too.)

Punches may have trouble with some keyways unless you invest in additional hardware. (Rotary cutters may too, but generally the good ones have fairly adaptable key vises and you can usually shim if you hit something weird that they can't handle any other way.)

I tend to agree with the rest: If you're talking about your one code machine, getting either an AC machine and an inverter, or a DC machine and a DC power supply, or one of the machines that "goes both ways", is probably your best bet. There are several competing religions -- the major ones are the Framon #2 folks and the HPC 1200 folks -- and my take is that which is best depends on exactly what you're doing and how you prefer to work.

Best advice I can give you is to go out to a distributor and/or trade show, talk to the representatives (ask them what's wrong with the competition, then ask the competition how they respond to those charges), ideally get your paws on the machines and cut a few keys yourself, and think about what suits your needs.

Oh, re power sources: Note that the gel cell rechargable "chump starters" which are now commonly available are a good portable source of

To answer your question...I have and use an HPC 1200pch machine that I carry in a 22 inch tool box. It has always given me a good cut on the keys I've made and the only miscut I've had was due to the bitting not matching the code on the lock. I've cut all kinds of keys: automotive, cylinder, and file cabinets. It's very handy to have, but it is not my only machine. I also live in a rural area.

One example if I may...my son-in-law sells cars and needed a key made for the door of one he had just bought at auction. I took out the glovebox lock and punched the four cuts from that. Then from that I looked up the code for the lock to get the other possibilites for the first 2 cuts...There were 5. At most I would waste one key if the first three cuts wouldn't work. But I got the other

I can carry it in anywhere I go and punch a key right there. No electricity needed, which is exactly why I bought it. For the portability.

I sure hope this helps you make a decision. David Ferguson

This is going to sound bias to some but here it goes.

Never, and I stress never base a locksmith buisness on a punch machine. The reason is there are too many varitables (spelling) in the real world; lock tolerance; many many many more...

If you intend to leave your machine inside your van and don't intend to use it for instance, masterkeying a building from the 5th floor where it would be easier to take the machine to the floor to set it up, then go with a 12 volt motor. If not then buy the 117vac or the 234vac depending where you're from and the large inverter. Remember there will be other needs for the inverter as you expand. I can't comment on the 12/110 machines because I have never used one.

Remember, think; Will I still find this setup useful in the future when I build up a customer base?

Punch machines are great for virgin work like a building master system set up by you, or for cutting and progressing unknown cuts for car keys like a

Don't limit yourself. No matter which 1st machine you choose make sure you can cut ANY depth or spacing with it. Later buy a punch for cars and such to limit your time at the job site to get to the next call quicker to make more money that day because money is what it is all about.

Glen