Cost of replacement keys

[Mark E.]

A Driveline advertiser quoted $450 for two sets of "judging ready" keys (4 keys total).

Alternatively, I can get four (rwo each, square and round) original B&S key blanks on eBay and have a local locksmith cut them using the key codes for less than $40.

Is there something special and expensive about judging ready keys I don't know about?

[Joe L.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

A Driveline advertiser quoted $450 for two sets of "judging ready" keys (4 keys total).

Alternatively, I can get four (rwo each, square and round) original B&S key blanks on eBay and have a local locksmith cut them using the key codes for less than $40.

Is there something special and expensive about judging ready keys I don't know about?

Mark-------


Original 1969+ Corvette keys were not branded Briggs & Stratton. They were branded with the GM Mark of Excellence logo.

The "judging ready" keys probably include the punch-outs still in place and properly stamped. Is that worth the $450? It would not be to me.

[Gary B.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Mark,


There are many thousands of places around the country that can cut keys. Apart from the non-trivial issue of using the correct key blanks, another critical issue is code stamping of the knockout plug. A small minority of the many places around the country, such as your local locksmith, that can cut keys can also code stamp those keys consistent with the expectations of owners of NCRS or Bloomington judged cars. Even if a locksmith says they can code stamp the keys, the question of font size, font style, stamping depth, stamping uniformity, etc., come into play. They are a few people who can do the code stamping well, or at least close enough. When people ask me about code stamped keys, I tell them there is no reason to pay $450 to get keys from that not-to-be-named vendor who has advertised in the Driveline for decades. Several others can provide the same or better service, that will pass NCRS scrutiny, for 70% to 80% less than that Driveline vendor. Our friend, the late Pete Lindahl was one of those people who provided great service at a very reasonable price.


Gary

[Terry M.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

There are are two NCRS memberswho provide key and lock services to the membership. Steve Walker from New Mexico I believe advertises in The Driveline and Jrff Salzman from Michigan. Jeff may advertise in The Driveline also, I just dom't know Both post on this board so their contact information is in the members section. I have dealt with both and found them to be priced reasonably and turn around was within reason although in fairness I was in no rush and told them both that. There may also others who will provide this service, but I know these gentlemen do..

In addition to the proper font and alignment of thee stamps the proper blanks have to be cut, not ground like ACE or the neighborhood locksmith will do. The C3 judges check for the proper method of cutting the blank.

[Anthony C.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Just curious .. when the dealership gave you the spare set of keys were they cut or not

[Mark E.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Some knocked them out as common practice, others did so on request. The dealer for Mom's 1965 Impala left them intact; she was not aware of them or their purpose.

[John D.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Years ago I got this key cutter, code book and a bag of blank keys at a swap meet. It's the same one used by dealers back in the day. If you got the right sized stamp set you could stamp the knock out yourself.

key1.jpgkey2.jpg

[Tim S.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Steve Walker just did a spare tire lock and key for my 67. Very nice work, very reasonable IMO.

Tim

[Michael J.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Yes, Steve is the go-to guy for this, just like Pete used to be.

[Joe L.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Just curious .. when the dealership gave you the spare set of keys were they cut or not

Anthony------

Two sets of keys were supplied with the car from the factory and were "cut". If the dealer provided any keys beyond these, they were "cut". Dealerships had a hand-operated tool called a "clipper" which cut the keys from code. Dealerships usually did not have the tool to grind the keys.

[Bob D.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Steve will be at the Lone Star Regional in Frisco in October. He is a regular participant and will have his table set up there.

Bob

[Brian M.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Jeff cut and stamped my keys for a very reasonable price.
I had the door key number.
For the glovebox, I had a key that worked. I sent Jeff the key and he deduced the number and stamped the two new keys.
Quick turnaround.
I highly recommend his work.

[Steven B.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Steve will be at the Lone Star Regional in Frisco in October. He is a regular participant and will have his table set up there.

Bob

👍 Thanks Bob!

[Mark E.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Steve will be at the Lone Star Regional in Frisco in October. He is a regular participant and will have his table set up there.

Bob

Thanks. I'll look for him.

[Terry M.]

Re: Cost of replacement keys

Anthony------

Two sets of keys were supplied with the car from the factory and were "cut". If the dealer provided any keys beyond these, they were "cut". Dealerships had a hand-operated tool called a "clipper" which cut the keys from code. Dealerships usually did not have the tool to grind the keys.

Joe
I can't speak for dealerships across the country, but in the mid-1970s the dealership I frequented in the suburbs near Chicago had both tools. My friend who worked in the paets department once lamented to me that the "new guys" working there would not build the locks using the wafwes necessary to code the locks. He was the last to do that. It required more work to select the right size wafer and a good deal of patience to get it in the right slot, Much more work than the "new guys" wanted to do.

He proceeded to show me a clipper that had interchangeable disks to cut different generations of keys. The "new guys" would use the grinder to make keys for customers who wanted duplicate keys even though with a VIN there was a phone number they could call to get the key codes iff the vehicle was ten years old or newer. Next thing I noticed at the parts counter was a sign that said you had to provide proof of ownership before they would make a key and the "moderm times" were with us. As my friend became ill with a terminal illness I noted the locker with all the key and lock parts was gone, Not long after that a computer driven key maker appeared to mate the double-sided keys.

As a somewhat aside note as an illustration of the esteem they held my friend on his passing they made a display cabinet with his Chevrolet jacket with a card with his name and date of birth and passing. Even though the dealership has changed owners twice since he passed the display case is still om the wall in the parts department. I doubt anyone working there now knew him, but I still get the discount that he used to give me, Sorry for tthe bit of nostalgia, but I still chocked up when I think of him.