Acme key code book

[Brubaker]

Just out of curiosity, are 'early' key code books relatively easy to come by? Pardon the sideways pics….too lazy to re-take.

[Ed Wendell]

Brubaker,

I would say yes, I picked up a couple of Curtis auto key code books on e-bay for under $15.00.

Ed

[Brubaker]

Thanks Ed. At least I'll be prepared if I stumble across an 'Indian'.

[leo]

I may be guessing here but doesn't the key code book have to go with a cutter of the same model or issue?

[Brubaker]

Not sure…wish I knew more regarding cutting keys. Interesting though. Plenty of instructions included.

[Ed Wendell]

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The code number is the depth of each cut on the key. So any code book is O.K.
I only have a Curtis cutter, not sure how any other brand cutters work. They are simple, put the carriage in, put a key blank it, set the lever to the first code number, punch it, turn the knob to move the key one notch, set the lever to the second code, etc
If your looking for a cutter I would go for thr Curtis Model 14. The Model 15 is a little more complex and the carriages cost alot more. It does cut some of the later keys.
As code books go, if you are working on 30's-40's stuff I would try for Curtis 22nd Edition or before.

Ed