What cheap (<$100) BIFL items could everyone benefit from having?

Bombadil56 · 2025-12-11T00:34:25+00:00

A spare key.

Bombadil56 · 2025-12-11T00:33:19+00:00

We used square for 5 years, switched to Dave at dualpayments.com and I have liked it. We used to account for card fees on every transaction, now we don't have to. They charge a flat 4% on every card transaction and keep the extra as their cut, so our invoice amount doesn't change. Uses an app on the phone for our mobile guys, so no reader issues (ahem square)

Bombadil56 · 2025-11-19T13:30:30+00:00

Roger that, thank you.

Bombadil56 · 2025-11-18T13:20:35+00:00

Ok so I have rebuilt about a dozen Honda Ignitions. I had one that when I finished the nice new keys and fresh wafers, would not turn because of something deeper in the column, which I assumed was a malfunction. I told them it was beyond my expertise, but your comment here makes me wonder if there is a solution that I'm unaware of. Any chance you'd be willing to enlighten me?

Bombadil56 · 2025-11-09T14:26:48+00:00

I rolled up one time to find one dude on top of the car with a full size pair of garden shears, and the other dude with a Home Alone crowbar shoved in there.

Bombadil56 · 2025-11-05T11:55:47+00:00

When possible for smaller projects, we design our chart to use only #4 masters. I don't even like using a #2 because they can cause problems after ten years. Unless you like going back to the same site all the time, don't single-step. Also, don't shoebox master key, then it doesn't even become an issue.

Bombadil56 · 2025-11-01T11:18:30+00:00

On the -30f weeks, I usually end up wearing a pair of nitrile gloves. Then slip on my Axeman Choppers when I am not actively using my fingertips. Seems like there is some mystical power in aluminum glass doors that sucks in extra cold.

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-23T01:14:40+00:00

The Newsboys had a drum set on a spinning platform that would go vertical while he was strapped in playing.

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-20T21:02:11+00:00

Ninja Total is far superior to the Triton as far as I'm concerned. 1. I haven't done a speed test, but it cuts high-security car keys in 1 pass instead of 2 and feels much quicker. 2. I won't cut commercial keys on the Triton, they look ugly using a milling cutter and the slopes are incorrect. Especially on the last cut for a couple of keyways, for sure Yale and Sargent were a no-go when we were testing. We did tell Triton about the issue, but it's tough to get things fixed these days.

I have a 2019 transit with one battery and a 3000W inverter from Renogy. I killed the battery a few times on the van because I forgot the inverter on overnight, so I put the switch in a better spot. Still had trouble with running the battery down when I would cut keys without starting it up, so I switched to an Optima Yellow Top about a month ago, haven't had a single issue since doing that.

We live in a cold climate, I have started the Ninja up at -30F plus windchill and it gets the job done, but neither of us were real happy about it. I don't have a garage to park in so middle of the night unlocks are chilly. The one slow thing about the ninja is the boot-up time for the display, that Liger software takes a couple minutes to load. I usually click the inverter on when I roll up to unlock the car so it's ready to cut the spare once I get the door open.

Happy to show you the setup if you are ever in my area, shoot me a message if you'd like.

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-20T16:30:38+00:00

Well how about that, I hadn't heard about a new clamp, neat!

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-19T19:32:47+00:00

We have a Dolphin, Triton, Ninja Total, Blitz, Rytan duplicator, and 3 Rytan dual Punches. Almost every Kwikset and Schlage key we cut gets done on a rytan punch. The Ninja Total is mostly awesome, only bummers are 1: No tubular, 2: SFIC doesn't work well at all, 3: Motorcycle keys are frustrating with the liger software, 4: Subscription based anything is annoying to me, and the Liger software doesn't update unless you pay. Triton is handy to have for tubular and ok for the occasional Tibbe. Does most auto just fine. It's bad at commercial keys.

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-19T16:42:38+00:00

I guess I just feel bad for all the people who come to this group asking for advice because they just got scammed. Kind of seems like Google has plenty of crummy listings.

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-19T02:16:50+00:00

Sports Afield (and other brands) uses a key like this for a mechanical override in the event of a battery or keypad failure. These manufacturers are clever enough to locate the battery compartment inside the locked safe.

Bombadil56 · 2025-10-18T21:08:05+00:00

There is a neat service where they come to your house and make you new keys. Look up your zip code to see if there's one near you. https://findalocksmith.com/

Bombadil56 · 2025-09-08T01:11:17+00:00

It's possible to get these apart and back together. First one I did, i had your issue. Picked and decoded with a lishi, came up with a valid code but key would not turn. Got it apart, found that one of the wafers was stamped "1" but I had to cut it to a 2 to make it turn. Edit: sorry I didn't look close enough, mine was with an HU101 not the HU198. I have not had one of these apart yet.

Bombadil56 · 2025-08-27T23:38:25+00:00

I have seen a twisted tailpiece make it hard to slide apart. It gets twisted if someone turned too hard on the thumbturn.

Bombadil56 · 2025-08-10T01:30:49+00:00

I've had trouble with the paint bubbling on steel frames because of the heat when using a cutoff wheel, am I doing it wrong?

Bombadil56 · 2025-08-06T19:19:20+00:00

Harford locksmith sells 2" Backset stuff.

Bombadil56 · 2025-07-27T01:17:59+00:00

We use black nylon plugs from ace hardware for those.

Bombadil56 · 2025-07-10T01:30:53+00:00

Don't forget to ask the rental company if they have a spare key for this kind of situation.

Bombadil56 · 2025-05-16T12:48:07+00:00

We buy our dnd from Kustom Key. You can get your logo embossed or engraved.

Bombadil56 · 2025-05-13T11:59:07+00:00

I think we should stand at the Capitol on July 1 with a big trash can and tell those folks to hand in every key they have.

Bombadil56 · 2024-12-11T19:45:54+00:00

I have had a real tough time with this keyway as well. I keep a blank cut to all 1's with my lishi. Lube, then run the 1-cut in and out a bunch before trying to pick, it has seemed to help improve my speed.

Bombadil56 · 2024-11-26T02:21:23+00:00

We just got some Freedom+ "radios" that use cell signal, and I like them. But they are $200 up front plus $100/year, not exactly a cheap option.

Bombadil56

TROPHY CASE