ironplanet uk900 Posted August 11, 2006 Report Share Posted August 11, 2006 It was just a one off laff that was relevent to the way the topic panned out. I laughed all afternoon. It doesn't hurt to chuck in a little humour sometimes. But consider my wrists well and truly smacked. If it keeps things in perspective Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sandman Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 i dont no what the fuss is about - timpsons in 2 shops in worcester are now doing all keys 1/2 price and they have thrown away all those pretty posters and hand painted it on there windows!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 That would bring them in line with B&Q prices, maybe they're worried Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 I can well agree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Davenport Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I can assure you that we will not be looking at entering into the retail market in the forseeable future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 I can assure you that we will not be looking at entering into the retail market in the forseeable future. I was under the impression that someone had posted a note to say that you were cutting keys for customers at your premises Andy and that is what sparked it off!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Do I detect a touch of sarcasm there. What he means is they are not looking at opening outlets on the high street Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Perhaps he meant that, but that aint what he said. I am not aware of the fact that they may be cutting keys for the public at their premises and was trying to set the records straight. (are they or are they not so as to speak) dont forget I've lost touch with the key scene years ago but I like to be kept up to date with what's going on out there in the world where folk still have to work (Ooooooo what a horrid word that is) (now that bit is the sarky bit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Davenport Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I must point out that the counter at our premises is a "trade counter". It is not by any means a retail outlet. It is basically a collection point for our local trade customers. We feel that the retail market and the skills needed to be successful in such a market are best left to our customers, which then leaves us to concentrate on what we do best, which is the manufacture and wholesale of quality key blanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Theres a world of diference to manufacturing and wholesale, And one trying to imitate another would not be as easy as it sounds. Davenports are by far the most comprehensive key blank suppliers in the uk, and there staff are most knowledgable & helpfull. I've enjoyed 20 years of excellent service & advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I second that one UK900, Been in business 17 years on Monday and used Davenports all that time. Never had a problem, and never even thought about finding an alternative supplier. And theres not many sections of my trade wholesalers I can say that about! Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 They are the only key blank supplier, to be able to offer effective free advice. Always willing to share their knowledge. Others sell key blanks, but have little or NO knowledge whatsoever to offer. They simply jump on the band wagon,, chasin the cream. Maybe it's time for davenport's to diverse into other areas of our trade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Davenport Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 cheers guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Well I can beat you all nah nah nah nah nah, I went for tuition at the old works at Wednesbury, I think it was in the early 30s or 40s Just goes to show that one cant rely 100% on info posted by members. The member mentioned that DB had a Retail Counter, not a Trade Counter. As reputations go there are only two families in this trade of Wholesalers who's word I would take as genuine and gospel. Davenports & Healy's. Both do their utmost to help where problems exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 What was you doing having key cutting lessons in th 30,s & 40's You should have been fighting for king & country Davenports are by far the most informative & knowledgable company in the uk when it comes down to: Key blank recognition, machine fault diagnostics, Key's made to Lock's (auto & domestic) key's made to number etc, And are alway's willing to give advice & tuition whenever you ask. Many years ago, about 20ish. I'd just set up on my own, Davenports were very supportive in every way. About 6 months later my shop was droken into, They took all my key cutting machines, along with engraving equiptment. I was in shit street, No money, Insurance being arsoles.. Leaving me with a shop and no equiptment I told davenports of my situation (no money, no machines etc) By lunch time I had a brand new set of machines, and was told "pay us when your insurance pay up". I must emphasise, that apart from the 6 months I'd been trading, All they knew about me was from my Timpson day's, I used to get sent down there to pick up orders. To me this say's alot about the sort of people they are, and I'll never forgot their kindness.. I possibly would have gone out of business but for them. There were other suppliers who were not so supportive,, I'll never forget them ether Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 In the 30s & 40s I was fighting at Yorks Drift under the command of Stanley Baker & Michael Caine. I was cutting Keys in the 50s, but these were big Church type keys that had to be hand made. Hand made bow, hand made pin, hand made bit all brazed together with 2 petrol blowlamps then hand filed to match the lock. From what I can remember and its going to far back to be accurate I think it took about 1 to 2 hours. We also made cast keys, casting them ourselves. (i still have a casting setup for small items) cant remember what metal we used though, just getting the impression and making the air expansion holes was all i can remember, then cleaning the edges up after it had gone cold a few hours later. Skeleton keys we made cos it was easier than trying to get the wards precise. Not bad grounding for nearly 50 years ago, never thought in my wildest dreams would I be doing it by automated machines 50 years later. Can also remember using one of those Yale hand wheel machines when I first cut keys in a shop as a trial. Good job it only lasted a couple of weeks before Davenports brought out the Jakey mark 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercoulson Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Yorks Drift? fought the Battle of the Bulge meself under R. McDonald and Col Sanders give up though and bought a bigger belt and a large choc shake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Bloody good that one Peter!! Took me a while to figure it out as I thought you were on about Custers "Last Stand" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironplanet uk900 Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 I had one of them hand machines, Never to use in a shop, I aquired it when I brought some machines off a retirering old chap. bet it's in me garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh-Candoit (ENG) Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Those old cylinder machines look good done up and put on display with an engraved plate explaining what it was for. (if you have the room of course or a space in the window display) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest blank Posted August 18, 2006 Report Share Posted August 18, 2006 i have one of those hand key cutting machines - use it in event of power cuts - the keys work every time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Davenport Posted August 18, 2006 Report Share Posted August 18, 2006 Yorks Drift? fought the Battle of the Bulge meself under R. McDonald and Col Sanders give up though and bought a bigger belt and a large choc shake fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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