If you’re a locksmith starting out or a seasoned professional looking to expand on your services, it makes sense to do some research into the best key machine for your business.
This is an essential piece of kit in your field – you’ll most likely need a key machine for the vast majority of jobs you carry out. From changing the locks on a house’s front door, to creating keys for cars and even servicing vending machines, there’s always the need for a key machine when working in the world of locksmithing.
In this guide, we’ve offered up some things to look out for when choosing the right key machine for your business. These words of wisdom should help to narrow down the selection of key machines available on the market, to a select few for you to choose from that are ideal for your business and your services.
Determine the type of cutting machine you need
There are various types of cutting machines available, from the more traditional duplicator used to cut existing keys , to the more professional code cutters for when keys have been lost.
Laser cutters are probably the most common type of cutting machine used today and have the ability to cut both house and car keys. The sophistication of these cutting machines allow for better security, by being able to vary the thickness of the key at different points.
Other cutting machines include tubular cutters, punch cutters and milling machines. It makes sense to research each of the different types of cutting machines available, before determining which one is most suited to your work.
Choose between manual and automatic key machines
Today’s key machines come not only in a variety of different models, but as manual and automatic machines too. Once you have decided on the best type of cutting machine for your business, you’ll then need to work out whether manual or automatic would be best.
As a beginner locksmith starting out, a manual machine will be able to deliver everything you need. Even some of the lifelong professionals of today still choose to make use of manual machines as opposed to automatics! However, if you find that, over time, you are taking on more work and need your jobs to be as quick and as productive as possible, an automatic or semi-automatic key machine will certainly be more suitable.
Which machine is best for your specific locksmithing services?
Think about the different locksmithing services you will be offering and whether or not this is likely to change or expand in the future. Use these thoughts to sway your decision towards the best key machine for your own business.
Different machines are best suited to certain types of locksmith services. Duplicators are perfect for cutting a cylindrical key when a homeowner needs a couple of spares, whereas code cutters are ideal for situations where keys have been lost. Whereas if you’re thinking about heading into the automotive side of locksmithing, a milling machine will work to your advantage.
It’s most likely that you’ll end up investing in a variety of different key machines over time and as your business expands. However, it makes sense to determine which of these machines is best for you to start your locksmithing business with, before then planning ahead for the future.
Use reviews to determine the quality of a key machine
Once you know the type of key machine you want to invest in, you then need to consider the different manufacturers of those machines. You’ll likely find a number of brands producing the same type of key machine that you want to invest in for your business, but how do you know which one to go for?
Reviews are a fantastic tool for helping a locksmith determine the quality of a key machine. You’ll find that many locksmiths just like you, have invested in a key machine for their business and have shared their thoughts on the quality after making use of it. Use these reviews to your advantage and you’ll soon be able to find the best key machine for your business.