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Key Duplicator Values

Bull

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Yes, before anyone even says it, let me say that I understand that an item's value is exactly what someone will pay for it.

That being said, I am looking for some guidance regarding what a reasonable asking price would be for a functional and seemingly complete older Cole 4KCC key duplicator. There is also a shoebox that is fairly loaded up with different types of key blanks.

Thank you in advance. I'm hoping some folks on here know these things.
 
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dankicksass

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Somebody from Canada was looking for one of those last week on here. I've seen those on craigslist from $150-350. They're not the cheapest thing to maintain, but if it cuts straight and the jaws aren't stripped out, I'd keep it for myself. I don't trust the kids at the box store with my keys.
 

srmofo

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Somebody from Canada was looking for one of those last week on here. I've seen those on craigslist from $150-350. They're not the cheapest thing to maintain, but if it cuts straight and the jaws aren't stripped out, I'd keep it for myself. I don't trust the kids at the box store with my keys.

What kids? Theyve all been replaced by machines around here.

We've had several of those machines on CL around here for weeks around $400. Im guessing thats too high.
 

zkling

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I bet Jeff could tell you or at least point you in the right direction.
 

bpankratz

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Yeah, that was me, we both dont know what its worth so we are trying to find a fair price for both of us.
 

Richard Cranium

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I purchased one last summer at a yard sale for less than 20.00 as I remember, I did post it on last years yard sales finds...Richie
Just for your info, a new cutting blade will run between 50.00 and 200.00 depends on which model....Richie
Maybe worth more as parts then whole...
 

gungatim

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I paid $30 for mine, and I routinely see them in the <$50 range at flea markets...They are handy but most of today's vehicle keys need to be programmed with an electronic code copier so they don't have a ton of value. You can buy keys online for around $0.15 ea for the older common ones, so you have to cut a lot of keys to break even...
 

woodstockva

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I dont think that automotive guys would be the ones to buy that machine. You are going to have a lot more success selling it to contractors, landlords, house-flippers, and real estate agents.

I own a Hillman manual/automatic key machine just like they have at hardware stores. The one you own is NOT a el-cheapo $50 yard sale special.....it is the more heavy duty type that is used commercially to make copies of keys. It boils down the the condition of the cutting wheel....If it is in great shape, $350-$400.....If the wheel needs replaced, $200-$250.

The two most common key blanks that any key machine will be used for are Schlage & Kwikset. Those are the most common door/deadbolt locks used in residential housing. When I used to work for banks rekeying foreclosed houses, they use the SAME key in ALL of their houses....i.e. - Fannie Mae uses one "master key" in every single Fannie Mae property. This is why I needed the ability to make hundreds of copies of the same key over & over.

Many realtors need to have "backup keys" to give to inspectors, appraisers, contractors, and extra copies at the office (when other realtors "forget" to put the keys back in the lockbox).

Craigslist is going to be your friend with selling this one...
 
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jeffmoss26

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Cole has not been around in years, so it's hard to give an exact price.
I got my Cole 3K machine for a grand total of 40 bucks. It then cost 10 bucks for a new belt, 25 to get the wheel sharpened, but very much worth it.

Can I see a picture of the machine as well as the blanks you have? Even though many of the car keys are slow movers, every so often a guy will come into the hardware store and need a key made for an old Chevy (B10/B11 blank) for example.
 
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Bull

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I took some pics of the machine. Can you tell from the pics whether the condition of the cutting blade is good? It feels sharp as heck to my finger tip and it looks undamaged.

Also, does the machine seem to be complete?

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woodstockva

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It looks good to me. Have you made copies of any house keys with it? If it makes clean copies that work....then the cutting wheel is fine.

If you dont have the correct key blanks to match your house key, send me a PM & I will mail you some. Just let me know if ýou have Schlage or Kwikset.

I would not sell that machine for less than $300.
 

jakemac

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The blade looks like it's still good, but you'll need a new brush soon. The brush looks about 1/2 used. It should be OK for now, but if you use it often it won't last much longer.
 

RCStocker

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Sense I have owned antique shops and second hand stores for the past 40 years I can tell you that 20 or 30 years ago duplicators were a hot item and could fetch $300 with keys. All the new type machines have replaced the old one. Now they have machines where you insert your key and it makes it for you and no staff is involved.
The market has gone way south on Key machines. I come across them all the time for $50 out here in California. Buying key blanks if you don't have what you need will cost more than having one made. They are so cheap at Wall-Mart.

With all the new fancy keys that have memory built in the old ones will not fit the new styles. The last home I built I put in electronic locks which had built in sensors.

The best thing is to put it on E bay for 99 cent start and let it fall where it may. The market on them has gone as far as I can tell. E bay is the best place to see what they are selling for. It is not something you will get more for on the open market.
 

jeffmoss26

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That's a newer version of my machine. If you want to spend 25 bucks or so, you can get the wheel sharpened through Gil-Ray Tools in Michigan.
Cole is long out of business so no worries having the machine.
All the hardware stores still use similar machines, only HD/Lowes/Walmart use those crappy automated machines.

If you list the key machine on ebay, it will end up being removed as they do not allow them to be sold.
 

woodstockva

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Sense I have owned antique shops and second hand stores for the past 40 years I can tell you that 20 or 30 years ago duplicators were a hot item and could fetch $300 with keys. All the new type machines have replaced the old one. Now they have machines where you insert your key and it makes it for you and no staff is involved.
The market has gone way south on Key machines. I come across them all the time for $50 out here in California. Buying key blanks if you don't have what you need will cost more than having one made. They are so cheap at Wall-Mart.

With all the new fancy keys that have memory built in the old ones will not fit the new styles. The last home I built I put in electronic locks which had built in sensors.

The best thing is to put it on E bay for 99 cent start and let it fall where it may. The market on them has gone as far as I can tell. E bay is the best place to see what they are selling for. It is not something you will get more for on the open market.

I disagree.

When I was searching for key machines, I could not find functional ones anywhere. Instead, I was stuck going to Lowes 5xs a week making dozens of copies of house keys, that most of the time did not work.

Craigslist is where you are going to sell this. Maybe quick, maybe not....but that is where you will get the most money.

There are PLENTY of people in the foreclosure repossession business, realtors, landlords, etc that NEED to make new keys on a consistent basis. They can buy this from you & it will pay for itself in no time at all.

Key blanks are less than $0.25/each. Cut keys @ the store are $2+ & you have to take your time & gas to get there and back!

I would rekey dozens of locks per week with different keycodes, and I could use keys that I had cut & could verify them in my shop as working duplicates prior to ever walking out the door.

"Putting it on ebay & hoping for the best" makes about as much sense as a farmer throwing seeds out the back of his house & hoping by some miracle he has a big harvest in the fall.
 

zkling

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RCstocker, I'll ask again, can you please provide a name or location of one of your stores, specifically one that sells tools? We all would be interested in seeing it.
 
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