Fair for price, Light may or may not work, keys are easy to misalign.

Fair for price, Light may or may not work, keys are easy to misalign.

Summary:Price: I could not find this machine for less anywhere else.Performance: This machine definitely works, but with caveats.Repeatability: It is good for occasional DIY key making, but tolerances are a little too loose to let you quit your day job and become a locksmith with this machine.Instructions: Completely useless. Very bad translation and probably meant for a different machine.Verict: If you are mechanically inclined, you can figure out how to use and adjust it. If you already familiar with key cutting machines, then it will simply be a matter of tuning it.Review: The bad news is that my machine needed tweaking and adjustments. The good news is that nearly every aspect of the machine is tweakable and adjustable. Once I figured out how it works, I was able to use the included hex keys to align everything and make working KW1, SC1, and Y11 keys.When I first received it, I could swear I saw the milling wheel slowly glide towards the left and then to the right again, from the corner of my eye. I turned it off and measured the distance from the motor-housing end-cap to the wheel and found it to be consistent and with no play. I also noticed that when I turn it off, the wheel does not gradually coast to a stop. It was almost as if it's bearings were stiff and maybe needed breaking-in. Then I discovered that all 3 screws on the left-side motor-housing end-cap were loose, with one of them almost completely out. The end-cap was cockeyed resulting in shaft binding. Once I tightened all screws, the wheel now gradually comes to a stop. And because the shaft is no longer binding, there is now a noticeable 1/16" inch play in the shaft allowing the cutting wheel to move left or right. I thought this would ruin the keys, but when I turn it on, the shaft immediately scrolls to the left. Since the blanks move from right to left, it adds enough pressure to the wheel to pin the shaft to the left, and cuts reliably. I don't know if this is unique to my machine or is in common to all.While three different hex keys are provided, there are four sizes of screws on this machine. The largest size 5mm is not provided. I needed this to move the key tracking mechanism back further because I retracted the pin all the way but it wasn't enough. I could have used a grinder to shorten the pin, but I have hex keys and moved the mechanism instead. Maybe you don't have a 5mm hex key, so you are forewarned. I believe they did not include 5mm because the manufacturer believes the 5mm screws should never require adjusting, and they would be mostly correct.As for the manual, it illustrates the making of skeleton keys, which have rectangular cuts. It is physically impossible to make those cuts with this machine, as the milling wheel has a bevel on one side. There are other machines which have a thin and flat milling wheel for this purpose. This machine is for keys which have peaks and valleys separated by 45 degree ramps. It also illustrates how the key clamps can be rotated for different types of keys, but I have not yet figured out how to do that, nor do I need to since KW1, SC1, and Y11 fit the clamps as they are oriented out of the box.Other than the above, you have to consider the price/performance is as good as it gets. The alternative is either to buy something much more expensive, or very cheap like a handheld Lishi cutter, or don't buy anything at all. You can't have everything.

Summary:Price: I could not find this machine for less anywhere else.Performance: This machine definitely works, but with caveats.Repeatability: It is good for occasional DIY key making, but tolerances are a little too loose to let you quit your day job and become a locksmith with this machine.Instructions: Completely useless. Very bad translation and probably meant for a different machine.Verict: If you are mechanically inclined, you can figure out how to use and adjust it. If you already familiar with key cutting machines, then it will simply be a matter of tuning it.Review: The bad news is that my machine needed tweaking and adjustments. The good news is that nearly every aspect of the machine is tweakable and adjustable. Once I figured out how it works, I was able to use the included hex keys to align everything and make working KW1, SC1, and Y11 keys.When I first received it, I could swear I saw the milling wheel slowly glide towards the left and then to the right again, from the corner of my eye. I turned it off and measured the distance from the motor-housing end-cap to the wheel and found it to be consistent and with no play. I also noticed that when I turn it off, the wheel does not gradually coast to a stop. It was almost as if it's bearings were stiff and maybe needed breaking-in. Then I discovered that all 3 screws on the left-side motor-housing end-cap were loose, with one of them almost completely out. The end-cap was cockeyed resulting in shaft binding. Once I tightened all screws, the wheel now gradually comes to a stop. And because the shaft is no longer binding, there is now a noticeable 1/16" inch play in the shaft allowing the cutting wheel to move left or right. I thought this would ruin the keys, but when I turn it on, the shaft immediately scrolls to the left. Since the blanks move from right to left, it adds enough pressure to the wheel to pin the shaft to the left, and cuts reliably. I don't know if this is unique to my machine or is in common to all.While three different hex keys are provided, there are four sizes of screws on this machine. The largest size 5mm is not provided. I needed this to move the key tracking mechanism back further because I retracted the pin all the way but it wasn't enough. I could have used a grinder to shorten the pin, but I have hex keys and moved the mechanism instead. Maybe you don't have a 5mm hex key, so you are forewarned. I believe they did not include 5mm because the manufacturer believes the 5mm screws should never require adjusting, and they would be mostly correct.As for the manual, it illustrates the making of skeleton keys, which have rectangular cuts. It is physically impossible to make those cuts with this machine, as the milling wheel has a bevel on one side. There are other machines which have a thin and flat milling wheel for this purpose. This machine is for keys which have peaks and valleys separated by 45 degree ramps. It also illustrates how the key clamps can be rotated for different types of keys, but I have not yet figured out how to do that, nor do I need to since KW1, SC1, and Y11 fit the clamps as they are oriented out of the box.Other than the above, you have to consider the price/performance is as good as it gets. The alternative is either to buy something much more expensive, or very cheap like a handheld Lishi cutter, or don't buy anything at all. You can't have everything.

This key duplicator is well constructed and does the job, and is a good value. If you have no familiarity with key duplicating, it may be a struggle, particularly because the documentation is essentially useless. The machine is manually operated (you have to turn a crank to move the key along the cutter), which is perfectly fine for making the occasional key. If you duplicate lots of keys on a daily basis, an automatic machine might be preferred, just to free up your hands for a minute.I don't understand the review that says a locksmith couldn't figure it out. Maybe that machine was a dud, or maybe the locksmith has ulterior motives. Key duplication can be tricky, but a locksmith certainly shouldn't have difficulty.The main thing is that alignment of the original key and the blank key needs to be precise in all three dimensions. If the horizontal alignment is off by a fraction of a millimeter, or either key is tilted upward or backward even a smidge, the key will cut, but it won't work. Also, it's a good idea to run the cycle a couple of times, back and forth, before unclamping the new key and buffing it. Getting this process down takes a little practice, and of course, the machine might need to be tweaked a little to get it into calibration - particularly so the guide (for the original) and cutter (for the blank) both align in the exact same place for their respective keys.I spent about a half hour familiarizing myself with the machine before trying my first duplicate. It worked perfectly. This was a KW1 key, nothing exotic.The only issue I had at all was two of the little rubber feet had fallen off during transit, so I removed the screws and then put them back into place.This machine is a solid value, but I took away one star because the user manual is so poorly done. I don't understand why the manufacturer wouldn't spend a few hours putting together a decent manual, with meaningful pictures and schematics, pay a native English speaker to review and correct it, save it as a PDF, and make it available by link. Doing a good job of that would probably eliminate 90% of user questions and complaints.

This key duplicator is well constructed and does the job, and is a good value. If you have no familiarity with key duplicating, it may be a struggle, particularly because the documentation is essentially useless. The machine is manually operated (you have to turn a crank to move the key along the cutter), which is perfectly fine for making the occasional key. If you duplicate lots of keys on a daily basis, an automatic machine might be preferred, just to free up your hands for a minute.I don't understand the review that says a locksmith couldn't figure it out. Maybe that machine was a dud, or maybe the locksmith has ulterior motives. Key duplication can be tricky, but a locksmith certainly shouldn't have difficulty.The main thing is that alignment of the original key and the blank key needs to be precise in all three dimensions. If the horizontal alignment is off by a fraction of a millimeter, or either key is tilted upward or backward even a smidge, the key will cut, but it won't work. Also, it's a good idea to run the cycle a couple of times, back and forth, before unclamping the new key and buffing it. Getting this process down takes a little practice, and of course, the machine might need to be tweaked a little to get it into calibration - particularly so the guide (for the original) and cutter (for the blank) both align in the exact same place for their respective keys.I spent about a half hour familiarizing myself with the machine before trying my first duplicate. It worked perfectly. This was a KW1 key, nothing exotic.The only issue I had at all was two of the little rubber feet had fallen off during transit, so I removed the screws and then put them back into place.This machine is a solid value, but I took away one star because the user manual is so poorly done. I don't understand why the manufacturer wouldn't spend a few hours putting together a decent manual, with meaningful pictures and schematics, pay a native English speaker to review and correct it, save it as a PDF, and make it available by link. Doing a good job of that would probably eliminate 90% of user questions and complaints.

I’ve had this for a couple months now and let me tell you I’ve have a locksmith even try to rig this thing so it kits keys properly and no matter what we do it never works right. We can cut keys but they aren’t good enough to open the doors. Very bummed out over this I’ve troubleshooted everything I can numerous times. I give up it’s good tool sharpener that’s about it

I’ve had this for a couple months now and let me tell you I’ve have a locksmith even try to rig this thing so it kits keys properly and no matter what we do it never works right. We can cut keys but they aren’t good enough to open the doors. Very bummed out over this I’ve troubleshooted everything I can numerous times. I give up it’s good tool sharpener that’s about it

Worked right out the box for me. If you haven't ever used a key cutting machine you'll probably have some problems because the directions they send are pretty much useless.

Worked right out the box for me. If you haven't ever used a key cutting machine you'll probably have some problems because the directions they send are pretty much useless.

Very good packaging. Everything is brand new and tightly packed. Same exact defu another seller is selling. Works good. I would order 10 cheap house key blanks for about 7 bucks. I got the guide pin set correctly using the cheap house keys copying my house key .I messed up 3 or 4 blanks but once I got the guide pin set correctly I cranked it down tight and now it works great.I am a used car dealer and cut car keys with this and use a autel scanner to program. Order the blanks off Amazon or eBay for about 5 bucks a piece. I might have problems cutting 1 out of 5 keys sometimes and have to use a couple 5 dollars blanks but it works good for the money. Easy to cut house keys, car keys are double sided and a little harder.

Very good packaging. Everything is brand new and tightly packed. Same exact defu another seller is selling. Works good. I would order 10 cheap house key blanks for about 7 bucks. I got the guide pin set correctly using the cheap house keys copying my house key .I messed up 3 or 4 blanks but once I got the guide pin set correctly I cranked it down tight and now it works great.I am a used car dealer and cut car keys with this and use a autel scanner to program. Order the blanks off Amazon or eBay for about 5 bucks a piece. I might have problems cutting 1 out of 5 keys sometimes and have to use a couple 5 dollars blanks but it works good for the money. Easy to cut house keys, car keys are double sided and a little harder.