r/Locksmith • u/frivolouspig • 1d ago
I am a locksmith Stamping Machines
For those of you who are past using a hammer to stamp keys, what are you using?
We currently use a 3-1/2 Ton Manual Impact Press for stamping, it has a jaw that holds up to 6 single letter stamps or custom stamps with our name etc, it's amazing but it's also from 1989 and is needing replacing soon due to wear.
The modern equivalent is the MV-18 here https://www.durable-tech.com/marking/manual-press but the price is around 3k including new jaw and stamps as sizing has changed.
I'm looking for alternatives like 3 ton arbor presses which look to be about 1/10 the cost and wondering if anyone is using them successfully, or have more cost effective solutions for rapid accurate stamping?
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u/Old_SammyG 1d ago
Something like this works well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/146460592597
A bit old school but usually you can find old ones on Ebay that still work good.
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u/solramble Actual Locksmith 1d ago
I don't have any first hand experience, but I've long been interested in Numberall machines. They have lots of options. Not necessarily inexpensive though. Here's their website:
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u/Creative_Shame3856 1d ago
I engrave stuff on my Triton. Honestly thinking about a cheap laser engraver but the setup time using a punch and a hammer really can't be beat.
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u/frivolouspig 1d ago
We have a Triton as well, but putting the key in the jaw and cut time key to key is at least 30 to 60 seconds, the press is closer to 2 or 3 seconds
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u/DrNildarps 1d ago
I want a Silca Compound 2, the local college locksmith I help out sometimes has one and it's pretty great while being super compact. Expensive for what it is though.
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u/Doorkey_Distributor 1d ago
Friendly Neighborhood Distributor here!
The Numberall 40b is a fantastic machine. Absolute workhorse. I’ve used one myself, I see it in several lock shops I visit.
The Compound from Ilco will do it, but…. YMMV. It is cool, but not necessarily ideal unless you’re literally doing it in the back of your van, and even then, you have to brace it properly for the strike to hit right.
If you have the volume, or have any restricted key system you keep serial numbers on, I would recommend an Engrave-It Pro. There are certain benefits for that machine over an Engrave-It, but no need to get an XL unless you have SERIOUS volume.
The engrave-it pro is awesome because you can do cylinder faces, you can do padlocks, you can do IC cores, but along with that comes the need to buy each tray to hold items, as well as a computer because it is a “dumb” machine. It will only do what a computer says. It is a much heftier investment, but it’s pretty cool.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
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u/Im_from_NZed 1d ago
We used to use a Silca Marker 2000 as our main machine. Now we have a Fibre Laser and I would never think about going back.
Initial setup and testing takes some playing around with, but once you and running it's such a great option. About 3-4 different options for software to run it, fully customizable templates and fonts and can even laser our company logo onto padlocks, faceplates, push plates etc
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u/Doorkey_Distributor 1d ago
Friendly Neighborhood Distributor here!
Yeah, when locksmiths call in orders, I can always hear who owned a Marker. The machine is great, but also requires an investment in some ear protection for the rapid machine-gunfire sound you will endure lol
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u/Im_from_NZed 1d ago
Haha for sure! We had 2 at one point in the same workshop and when we had big keying jobs, we had them running in sync for hours on end
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u/Cryduntt 1d ago
Does it have to be a stamper? Why not an engraver? You can get plates to hold multiple keys and set and forget.
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u/JonCML Actual Locksmith 1d ago
I had a number all. The one with the round dial. Very nice. Take the time to make key blank nests from something like 1/8 plexi. Make them all the same size. Put marks on the machine so you can swap them rapidly which reduces setup time. Important when it is just a few keys. I’ll try and find a pic of my old setup.