I used this machine yesterday and also did not have a great experience. Left the key in to scan dimensions. Machine wanted 5 dollars, and when I backed out, gave me a 33% discount. It then asked if I wanted a smoother cut key for additional cost (still added up to 5 dollars then). I said no and the key was cut very rough with burrs on the edges. The patterns didn't match up too well in some areas and one was missing altogether. It did work at home but takes some wiggling and pulling back. I filed down the key more similar to the original key pattern and cleaned the burrs. It works but takes some time to get all the pins to match the pattern in the lock.
You tricked the machine, you entered a KW1-shaped key and it gave you an LW4 key, they are very close but not the same, it can work but you need to hold the key in the side groves to cut it, as the lock uses the side grove to centre the key in the lock. Being you are in the USA and Kwikset the lock manufacturer is also from the USA I'm surprised they can't tell the difference .. It's easy to see the difference, with both keys on the side look at the middle grove along the key and its difference in size. Now look at the deepest cut and see how close it is to the centre groove, you can see it's not the same. Yippee,, I may still have a job is 5 years, it looks like the robots are not taking over just yet !!
I used one of these today for the first time, before watching this. It was a delightful experience, and my key worked, but I did two things differently. I didn't have to push on my key and hold it in the way you did, probably because I left it on a heavy keyring with other keys. The weight of the ring must have stabilized the position of the key in the 3D "ignition". And I sprung an extra $2 for the pink because I am tired of using nail polish to color code my keys. I doubt the color made a difference. I would say don't use the machine if it doesn't start when you insert the key and let go.
Thank you for making a COMPLETE video that shows whether the duplicates actually work! So many video posts on here do not show whether the keys they made with this machine actually work. Thank you for walking the process all the way through! You probably saved me $10 and a lot of time.
Just so you know, the vallies in the key does all the work for unlocking. Looking at original vs copy, The original has a deeper cut on all 4 bits(The official name of the vallies in a key) going closer to the alignment groove, meaning all the pins in the lock are too high.
You should not have held onto the original key while it was being copied. If you just leave it in, the copy will be more precise. I used this model of machine today on three keys and they work perfectly.
Thank you for sharing the helpful video! 👍🏼😊 The comments in the video were also helpful as well: glad to know the tips everyone shared and that you got a refund for the key that did not cut correctly
I used the same type of machine at menards. Only takes credit card, was way to expensive and then credit card charges on top of key price not worth it.
There is no help with that machine. Is self-service and athomated. However, i did try one more time recently and this time took it to their brush machine and brushed the keys to make sure it does not have sharp edges. After this attempt, the recently key i made did work this time. So it may be worth the try, but for sure brush the keys with rough wired brushes to smoothen the edges.
I am not sure about that, but i had the same issue at my dorm, and i came up with another solution. I unscrewed the arm of the hydraulic jack on top of the door that keeps closing the door behind you. So the door became a normal door without that hydraulic automatic locking mechanism. Tell him just to unscrew the arm, and it will solve the issue. But do not tell the security or others ;)
