Wanting to add a new key machine, looking @ Futura vs Triax vs Mustang

[brightonkeys]

Our shop has traditionally just cut cylinder and mortice keys. 

 

Now we're getting in the odd ABS Avocet, Mul-T-Lock Garrison, ISEO, Yale Superior, Magnum, the odd Brisant dimple etc etc etc.

 

They seem to be coming in more and more frequently. At the moment we're obviously having to turn away a good portion of these keys for those lads who want the keys copying NOW, but for the others we're sending off to SKS or ordering direct from Brisant. We haven't currently a solution for the Garrison keys. ABS Avocet we're ordering in from Lock and Key and selling on at basically no profit. Just doing it as a service for the customer.

 

So where next? We're not seeing loads of these keys, so presumably a machine like the Triax is out of the question? I'm thinking either Mustang or Futura. And I gather even if I pay the premium and buy the Futura over the Mustang, there's things about the Mustang that the Futura can't easily do. And obviously there's loads the Futura can do that the Mustang can't.

 

And once the machine itself is decided upon, I'm even not sure how to pay for the new acquisition. Should we try to raid the piggy banks and buy it outright, to arrange independent financing or leasing, or to go with Aldridge's financing options?

 

Third question I suppose is how quickly business can start to build once we begin advertising that we can do these keys and once word gets round...

 

Fourth and final question (for bonus points!) is should we also start stocking/pushing/selling a certain manufacturer's locks in addition to merely offering keys duplicated? i.e. should we try to become a Brisant stockist? An ABS Avocet stockist?

 

HELP!!!

 

Thanks muchly

 

P.S. Have just realised in addition that even if we do buy a Futura or a Mustang we're still going to be without a device for cloning car remotes and I reckon that's a whole 'nother level of confusion and pros and cons. We're just after best bang for buck as everyone is I suppose.

[derek]

i gather the mustang with all the additional adaptors and or cutters bought would be the cheaper option, i have an hd punto that i use for dimple keys, if the boss was to upgrade i'd ask him to purchase the mustang with any additional clamps and cutters, no point in spending a lot of money on a computerised cutter if you aren't cutting a decent volume per week imo, you could always buy 1 of each of those locks you mention to use as practice, make sure you are comfortable cutting them and getting them to work first time of cutting

[brightonkeys]

no point in spending a lot of money on a computerised cutter if you aren't cutting a decent volume per week

 

Thanks for your reply. But isn't that a catch 22? We're not currently cutting ANY because we can't. I guess I'm wondering if we buy a machine and advertise locally can we expect business to support the machine within the space of say a year - or whether we should just buy a Mustang...

[silverfern]

Hey mate.  I left the UK 6 years ago so don't know much about the range of dimple keys but what about the miracle A9?  Good price, can do auto track keys and I think does key marking too now.  Get a Keyline mini to go with it and your auto is set.  Like I said, I don't know whether it will do some if any of the domestic dimple keys but maybe someone here will explain.  Only thing is it's no good for domestic cylinder keys.

[lockdecoders]

only thing the Miracle A9 cannot do is the little  double sided locker keys.

[Silcaltd]

Futura can

[grahamparker]

So can the Triax.

 

Yes it costs a lot but ours has just cut over 4000 keys, we even cut the dealer keys for them and the car importers.

 

At a rough guess it has paid for itself and made about 20k profit in the 6 years i have owned it.

[ponsaloti]

Can the futura engrave?

[derek]

Thanks for your reply. But isn't that a catch 22? We're not currently cutting ANY because we can't. I guess I'm wondering if we buy a machine and advertise locally can we expect business to support the machine within the space of say a year - or whether we should just buy a Mustang...

indeed it is, i suppose you'd have to ask yourself, what volume of keys you would be happy cutting per week to justify one of the more expensive machines mentioned or would you be better testing the demand by buying a mustang and possibly upgrading from there, depends on your customer base

[silverfern]

Nope, crap at making tea as well. Cuts a good key though.

 

If only one of these machines could make a good cuppa

[Technical Tony D-Burgess]

It does some of the small ones if you get creative with the clamping.

agree , myself and a couple of customers have made some using the car jaws and they do work, a little awkward but they work .