(105) Review: A-1 Security "Herty Gerty" Tubular Key Cutter

[@waddac2]

WOW!!!!!! That is FANTASTIC Bill, what a great piece of kit and so easy to use. Great tutorial there and think the company will be over the moon regarding your review, 5 Stars mate ***** :o))))

[@harrythelocksmith]

Unfortunately they're not made anymore.

[@waddac2]

Thanks for that Harry, much appreciated 👍👍👍

[@AlexBlate]

"Buy the best and you only cry once." Awesome review, Bill. Now I need an excuse to buy one... hmm. Looks like you can churn out a key in about a minute. I also noticed that the depth adjustment appears to be infinitely adjustable... yeah? If so, that's really a nice touch, since you could cut non-standard or otherwise wonky depths if need be. Sweet!

[@bosnianbill]

Zakly! I have already cut a few tubular bump keys at a depth of 6-1/2. Works OK, but nothing stellar.

[@DrBint]

Fantastic review and demonstration Bill, love it!!

[@bosnianbill]

I don't think so. The HG is fast and of high quality. BTW: the retail is over $700 but Brockhage is selling them for about half that. Besides, if the Blitz fails, the attachment is useless. This one is standalone. As an engineer, I LOVE redundancy.

[@Mattslockshop]

I have had one of these for 20 years still works. Great machine

[@P1pC0]

Have you had to replace the milling bit.? If so do you know what the dimensions/ sizes are. I’m having trouble finding a replacement

[@Mattslockshop]

@pipbeck8669 I have not. Since A-1 is out of business I don't know if you will find one. Framon has redone some A-1 products but I seen an interview where they have given some thought to remaking the herty gerty but not in near future. If we could suggest maybe they would just produce the milling bits for the existing ones.

[@danielroglich3309]

Very cool product,thanks for the review Bill

[@timothywleung]

Awesome demo!! There is another video on the "Herty Gerty" on youtube by William Mcintosh. The title for that video is "Rekeying a Tubular lock"

[@SLJB8]

The attachment for the HPC 1200 remains my favorite. Only ever used a Scotsman otherwise tho.

[@S1DESHOWMICK]

I think this is the only review I've seen on the Herty Gerty, Love it. I have been tossing up between the Herty Gerty and the attachment for the Blitz machine. The price difference is quite large, about half the price for the HPC attachment, but does that mean I'm getting half the quality?

[@luftbauch4360]

Why i end here, watching some of the lockpick videos.? ^^

[@libread1]

Thanks for the demostration

[@bosnianbill]

👍

[@zachb657]

I have a couple of 8 pin tubular locks with the southord 8 pin lock pick tool. I have decoded the lock. How do i cut an 8 pin key blank with my herty gerty? Is there any tool on the market that will do this?

[@smilncynic]

Very informative, and entertaining!

[@S1DESHOWMICK]

Thank you for trying that for me, It is very a desirable piece of machinery...

[@analyzingfunny]

so cool, thanks for showing. I have always had a fascination with locks. Any chance you would make a vid about picking English style locks? Those seem really complicated. And are they more secure? or just a joke like any other? lol

[@sidneyhirst1925]

It also cuts offset left and offset right. I think it's the only hand cutter that does.

[@stevewalker7822]

I have an older one, and it's a great tool.

[@P1pC0]

Have you had to replace the milling bit.? If so do you know what the dimensions/ sizes are. I’m having trouble finding a replacement

[@stumoneyinc]

Can it make an 8 pin tubular key?

[@S1DESHOWMICK]

Message received and understood....Thank you.

[@staceyfisher1479]

I wish I knew these were a thing last year. We had to pay to have tons of these cut for copier vend units.

[@S1DESHOWMICK]

Sorry, ran out of room. Another Con for the HG is that there is no set up time needed, just grab it and cut a key, it's also mobile which is probably the better of all the con's for this machine. Would it be possible to let me know how it cuts a steel key? If you don't have one no problem, I'm sure it would work the same.

[@RustyNail5856]

Nice review. Bill take care

[@Keith_Ward]

Nice review. Are the cutting bits really standard for milling machines? I have not seen an end mill with such short flutes.

[@P1pC0]

Have you had to replace the milling bit.? If so do you know what the dimensions/ sizes are. I’m having trouble finding a replacement

[@Riyame]

Really cool review. I had the chance to get one but passed as I would never use it. Also those Americans are pretty hefty 0.o

[@kennethjohnson359]

I found a used HG tool it might be missing a piece is there any place to buy parts from. I have some standard keys that don’t fit over the key guide of mine figured that piece gets changed out.

[@mugiron6203]

I was wondering if you are still giving away those free lock picks for the beginners

[@Nevir202]

Interesting, that case is exactly the same as a Sig Sauer gun case other than the color as far as I can tell.

[@AlphaDragonification]

+Nevir202 I noticed that too! I have a p226 (best gun I've ever seen and bought ;)

[@Nevir202]

AlphaDragonification I have a P232, it's pretty cool. Like a Walther PPKS but better fit and finish IMO. Not a huge fan of Sig style mags, but what can ya do?

[@mikosoft]

+Nevir202 it's a generic case, e.g. Shure uses that same case for microphone packs.

[@Nevir202]

mikosoft Ya, apparently so. That's surprising sine Sig is such a pricey brand.

[@jermainerace4156]

This is no great surprise, neither company is in the case making business and there are only so many nice case vendors.

[@AdrianWeber]

Herty Gerty muahahahahaahahaha sorry but :D I was laying on the floor when reading that name mate! Great video!

[@mogensr]

Do you know, if Tubular keys have an universal number, as the old locks of i.e.padlocks and doorlocks, used 11111 or 00000 if only 5-digits keylocks - only to Tubular keys ? I have buy from Brockhage/Lockpick key no. 1137, and on AliExpress KLOM K-747 any tools to series 7000. - Yes I talking about bump-keys. As I told, do many locks have lower numbers. What about Tubular keys ? I had tried 1111111 and 7777777, but not more, when I only have a limit of Tubular keys left.

[@1621billw]

I've researched this key cutter recently and it appears to be out of production. Does anyone know if the company will ever begin making it again or are they out of business?

[@me-cq7wv]

Who ever thought that up is a genius

[@TheProfessor936]

That's so oober nifty!

[@ryanhall7016]

can you tell me where i can buy a new cutter for it

[@cthulpiss]

+ryan hall "apparently they are for a "mini-mill", whatever that is. You can buy them pretty cheap (around $30) direct from A-1 though"

[@notpulverman9660]

just measure the cutter, then buy any endmill of similar dimensions

[@oldy3680]

The case is a Flambeau Tradesman, made in the USA, and not expensive at all. www.flambeaucases.com/tradesman

[@maryposasuancatl7467]

I am máster locksmith and seen their machines or tools for acer openings and cut keys this machines for tubular greetings by low price.

[@benforwho]

If anyone knows where to find this in stock, let me know. Thanks bunch! 👍

[@maryposasuancatl7467]

maestro soy cerrajero mexicano y me gustaría comprar la máquina que precio tiene

[@brendand1325]

El recibo dice $404.50 dolares

[@MarbledPaladin]

Looks like this might no longer be sold, it is out of stock everywhere I saw...

[@mikosoft]

That case is actually a pretty generic case. Shure company uses it for their microphone packs.

[@TylerLL2112]

I believe either trijicon or eotech uses them for their weapon sights. I own both so I can't remember which used it.

[@AlphaDragonification]

+tfoshohoe Trijicon definitely does. I have one of their military reflex sights and it is the most perfect and precise sight I've ever seen and used.

[@TylerLL2112]

+AlphaDragonification I knew it was one of them. I agree, fantastic sights. I haven't owned their reflex sights only the ACOG sights(TA-33 and TA-31RCO). I heard a lot of people complaining that they don't use pelican anymore but, I actually mount my scope on my rifle so having a bomb proof case isn't a concern. And personally I think the cases they use now are very nice cases. Take care and thanks for answering!

[@Jonathan-SW89]

👍🏼

[@GWiens2001]

You call this piece of equipment "fool-proof". I once heard something that have found to be true. "When anybody makes something idiot-proof, somebody else makes a better idiot". But it looks to be a good piece of equipment.

[@slendy9600]

thats an amazing saying

[@brabhamfreaman166]

Indeed. I also like "A system-proof-idiot beats an idiot-proof-system every time". That is all.

[@aaryjan]

GWiens2001 you convinced me ~ I promise I will cut my support for (the production of) idiots

[@danjohnson6292]

@ 9:42: Hmm, an engineer that didn't plan something. Not! ;-)

[@stephenecappssr7651]

china sells an automatic one fore 300.00 dollars very GOOD Quality! got the hearty gerty ass kicked and only $50.00 more

[@mugiron6203]

hi

[@DonzLockz]

Nifty tool but too much for my budget.

[@dvig3261]

very cool, but WAY over priced...