Which Key Machine Wins? Medeco Battle

Another Key Machine Battle, but this one will be special because we're putting up the Medeco Biaxial key machine against the Framon Key Express with the biaxial attachment.

This is pretty interesting because I've cut a lot of keys over the years using the Biaxial machine, and I've never cared for it too much. There are many mental rotations to get a key cut, so I'm interested in seeing how the Key Express does. Of course, it will be done by Javon and Dad, the lock father.

BEGINNING THOUGHTS

PJ: I'm curious. What are your thoughts, and do you guys like cutting Medeco keys on the biaxial machine?

Javon: Well, I do, but it's all I've ever known. That's all I've ever used.

Pete: Same with me.

PJ: So both of you, you sound like, 'Hey, we need to cut 200 Medeco keys.' There's nothing that goes through your mind like, 'Oh, boy, this is going to be a mental workout.'

Pete: Well. It screws with me constantly.

Javon: Yeah.

PJ: Well, I think the keys are so expensive. When I was a kid cutting keys on this machine, and like, you mess one up, because you don't think for one second and you mess it up, and I have to go, Hey, Dad, we have to mark this one down. What? Really? Jovan, how about you? If you're going to cut 100 keys on this like, are you feeling like you will have to do a mental workout?

Javon: I think it's challenging, of course. I mean, you got a lot of things. You have to think about the depths and angles, all that stuff. It just all comes into place, so yeah.

JAVON'S THOUGHTS ON THE KEY EXPRESS MACHINE

PJ: All right. So Jovan, I mean, outside of the other key machine battles on this machine, you have it? So you've cut what? Three? How would you first compare cutting an IC core key or Schlage key to cutting the Medeco on this machine? How much more difficult is it?

Jovan: Well, the angle thing is the only thing. The only addition is you got to change the angles, so I feel like there's more to think about. Obviously, when you're doing Medeco, I don't know if you're ever going to get away from that because you got angles, you got depths, you got spacing, so there's more to think about on H1 but it still runs, it still works smooth. So you know, you don't have the big lever handle, you're pulling down, this is a little easier to pull, so if you're going to do a bunch of keys, I suppose this will be easier in that regard. However, I still think there's the same amount of stuff you have to think about and I still, I think it would still be mentally challenging, though. I have to say; I don't have much experience with this machine. Would it go faster over time? I don't know.

PJ: Just another day and just another day on this one?

Pete: Yeah, the old hands are not working correctly today, so it was a struggle pushing and pulling, but other than that, piece of cake. I mean, because you're just used to it.

PJ: Sounds good. Well, we'll go on and switch.

Pete: Okay. All right.

PJ: I'm guessing just another, just another day.

Pete: Just a standard day. Yeah.

THE LOCK FATHER'S THOUGHTS ON THE KEY EXPRESS MACHINE

PJ: Okay. Now, dad, let's talk about it. So I mean, you've only also cut a few keys on this machine. At the same time, after you've cut some Schlage and IC core and SFIC keys on it, you loved it.

Pete: Yeah.

PJ: You love how you could switch the attachments.

Pete: Right.

PJ: Now, as far as that biaxial attachment goes, and you doing that, like, how do you, do you like the biaxial attachment?

Pete: Yeah, but I screwed this key up; I just noticed because I, here's the space and depth, spacings here, depths there, and I was thinking this was depth. Reverse that is what people with dyslexia can make, so yeah, it's great to give, but as Javon says, this is so nice and smooth than pulling them.

AFTERTHOUGHTS

PJ: Yeah, so I guess the good news is that, when it comes to the key express, you can switch the attachments out, which can help cost-savings-wise. I don't know how much this machine is today, but it's 2, 3, and 4 x of the key expresses, and you can only do Medeco, so it's an option out there. I think it's cool that the key express here can add something as complicated as biaxial.

Pete: This is a universal machine for the locksmith who wants to do everything. When I first got into the industry, you had to have a separate machine, there's one other machine that will cut it, but it wasn't available to do biaxial flat at the time.

Javon: Right. I agree. It's a universal machine, which makes it nicer, especially having it on a truck or something like that, where it's available that you can cut keys out in the field or something like that. So, it's definitely worth it, and it's not that, I mean, for us, it's slower, but if I was used to the machine, I wouldn't probably be a slope so, I think with practice and time, you're going to be good at it, and so it would be a good Bible machine, I think.

THE VERDICT

PJ: Okay, now, I mean, I would have to say, though, I mean, this is a battle, and so there always has to be a winner and a loser. I'm going to let you guys point the finger, and for all of you who are watching, we would love to know your input on the different machines, your experience, and just kind of what you have seen by watching these two machines types of cut the same key, and what that all looks like to you. So we look forward to seeing your comments in the notes below and make sure that you include #LockBoss to automatically get entered into one of five free prizes we give away each week here on YouTube. Thank you both for coming on.

Javon: Thank you for having me.

Thank you, and we'll see you next time!