I really like the HPC but the Curtis seems like it needs a little attention. Not to mention 20w non detergent oil! I found a parts source and a manual for the Curtis. Call me lazy but if it will cut well or can be made to I think I might run this one..
Maybe I jumped the gun gettin these used machines when copies are $1 at WalMart???
I have a 3000, dont know its age, but I have AN issue with it, in that for some reason as the season changes, the depth of cut needs to be reset.. so i would say, CHECK IT OFTEN..
My Walmart cuts keys as well..-they are currently off in depth by .010, too and they cannot adjust the machine..
I got a farm supply store near here that ALSO cuts keys.. they got a Speedex I think.. and Jet blanks and tower.. they get .99 for the single sided, and 1.98 for the DOUBLE sided..
Now, assuming you are a locksmith type (dont take offense, just an observation) the money is NOT necessarily in DUPLICATION, but its an adjunct to the business.. You go rekey a 'building' (several doors) and they need 20 copies of the keys, THAT WORK.. This is where you beat the 'Walmarts'..
but you also cannot IMO depend on DUPLICATION to pay the bills, either.
I had a close look at a Curtis 2000 a few months ago, but settled for a bigger ILCO manual machine. I don't really care for automatics anyway-they can miss out. The Curtis looked nice though. Does yours have the key case above it on a post?
Im not sure if the speedex would have enough space between the vises for today's big head car keys. Should work out fine for you. If it's too big for the Speedex, use the Curtis.
new old stock..LOL person bought it in 99 for a store, paid 1100 for it, 700 blanks, and a tower..
they set the price at 400 and I took it.. needs a new cutter due to its 7 years old and RUSTY.. but it hasnt cut 10 keys.. cleaned it and oiled and it works fine. PLUS got the 700 VERY usable blanks to boot..
In 1984 I worked in a little island in a parking lot. Cutting keys, and sell keyrings and such. The boss had a Rexa Borkey in the shop, and that really sliced through keys. Highly accurate, too. I had it cutting plus half a thou -- and that was just about accurate enough.
HPC makes a similar machine, but not quite as nice as that Borkey.
I also own a Curtis 2000, which has served me well for many years.
On shipping manifest, NOS stands for "name of shipper". Guess things have different acronyms. Hope your NOS key machine isn't a POS (point of sale; what did you think I meant?)
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