MESO Minimalist Key fob

Send a ticket in at the bottom of my
Site and I’ll get you a new one.

 

Thank you, sir! Will do

 

That MGM flip key

 

Nice custom touch

 

I can go to sleep knowing THE MESO approves of my work

 

Woah, this just turned in to Japanese key porn.

 

I first made sure my blade was same as blank, then I modified the tang, Was shorter than the blank one, but the set screw still grabbed. Takes a little bit to take out key though. Will probably get blank cut later on.

 

In retrospect it's obvious I should have matched the key blades, but I was concerned about making sure there was enough tang to grab on to. Wrong priority.

Unrelated, did anyone else have issues getting their unlock button to feel like the lock button (or vice versa)? My lock button is a nice positive click, but after removing a fair amount of material from my unlock, it's still kind of...weak. I can see there's a lot more of that foam padding around the unlock.

I see MESO posted over in 3rd gen forums that replacement black and red buttons will be available soon, so maybe I'll be more aggressive when I have actual spares.

 

As someone that use to work at Home Depot here are some tips.

1. All Home Depot’s have the capability of cutting the keys fully assembled. Whether they do it or not is up to the associate you ask.

2. Not all machines are equal. When I was there, there was a machine that was a bit less technical than the current one they have. This one requires the associate finding the key number (I believe it’s #35 & #35R (the R just means a rubber head)).

So if they are willing to do it, have them find the cartridge for #35/#35R. Instead of using their key, they’ll clamp the MESO key (again fully assembled). At this point the machine basically copies your oem key.

The newer machine works similarly to this machine, the only difference is the clamping and cartridge method. They will need to find a #35/#35R key, the machine will scan it, and then automatically load the cartridge. They’ll then have to insert the fully assembled MESO key and hold it tight against the machine as the machine automatically clamps down on it.

From this point the machine will cut both sides of the key. There is no operator skill required. The one thing I will say is if the operator doesn’t fully insert or over inserts your key, you might have a miscut.

3. No Home Depot should charge you for this unless they’re jerks. If they wanna charge you, tell them you don’t want the key blank they scanned (they can just put that back), and have them ring you up for a key cutting. It use to be $0.50 cents, but in the 3 years I was there I never charged anyone.

4. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT go there when they are busy. If you do, that’s on you if you can’t get your key cut. Not everyone can work the key machine, and those that do hate being in that area (you cut one key and all of a sudden everyone needs a key cut).

I had mine cut there from a buddy that’s still there with no issues. They used the newer machine.

The key also works on both sides (doesn’t matter how I insert it).

Hope this is helpful. This should also apply to Lowe’s and Ace.

 

This matches my experience exactly. I arrived a bit after 8pm on Monday with closing at 9pm. The store was near empty and I had three curious associates all pitching in to help out. I was happy to pay the $3.23 for the blank to ensure they felt that the transaction was appropriately charged and so I could use self checkout.

Photos of the key blank below in case it helps anyone. The machine scans it and loads the cassette as Fernando mentions. The machine also prompts about a transponder and you can instruct the operator to say no to that prompt and tell them you have that part figured out.

I extracted the shank from the flip mechanism thinking that would be necessary but, as mentioned, it would have been easier if I had left it intact based on how the machine grabs it.

Technically, you could actually cut a flat metal key and use it for surfing / running / etc as a door / tailgate only key as well if that helps grease the wheels and get things done. The machine prompts for additional copies after making the first one.

If you have both of your original keys, bring the one which looks less used with you so the cut is as close to the original as possible.

 

The Lowes near me had an auto cut machine that does not require an operator. However, it will only cut keys from the selection inside, no way to have your own cut. Reminds me a lot of gas station/truck stop key machines.

The Ace near me could have done it, but wannabe manager Janet was at the reigns. "We have a contract with duracell, you'll have to buy their key fob/transponder if you want it cut" etc. Boo

 

Bummer, I'm going to call Ace and swing by a Home Depot today. Our Lowes has the same thing, the auto machine, you operate yourself. It's surprisingly hard to find a brick and mortar locksmith these days.

Almost every locksmith in my city is mobile and have no interest making a drive for a few bucks. They want to sell you a key, fob, program a transponder, charge you a service call fee, etc.

 

Guy near me wanted $70 to show up, nevermind the services lol. Walmart ftw which is not a sentence I thought I would ever say

 

Thanks a ton for this!!! I have the same cheap o as well and have canabalized it hoping the blade will work. Did you have to shim the blade or create a set screw indent with the cheap o blade?

 

Anyone else have problems reassembling the spring and cap? Thought I had everything good but the panic kept activating so I took it apart and filed the button but I couldn’t get the key spring to work right. The button to flip closed wouldn’t press in. Followed the video on Meso site, turned the cap counterclockwise but at some point it chipped and now I can’t get it to work at all...

 

Ace wouldn’t do mine. Said I had to buy from them and have them program. Into Lowe’s tomorrow

 

My key was cut incorrectly and could not be repaired (still works one-directionally). Second time I went into Ace I spoke with someone who clearly knew what they were doing and they explained what happened... anyway, the tips on how to use Home Depot will come in handy when I get my second blank cut. MESO restocked the blanks on his site and I just ordered it.

 

@MESO - he snuck them in guys. Go to Collections-> Fob and Accessories > and there they are.

 

Yup, I want to jump in and get a set of white and red buttons along with a spare blank or two just in case someone can't cut a damn key correctly.

 

For those stating that lockshops are asking $70+ for the keycut... you need to let them know that it's a conventional key that you are cutting and not one of the new double-sided 3D keys. Most key shops assume that all new cars that come with an actual key to start are of this new style. When I called my local shop they said it would cost $70+ as well. When I explained to them that the key looks similar to a house key, they were surprised and told me to bring it in. I walked out of the shop with the blade cut and the owner asking me to drop off a Diet Pepsi sometime when I was in the area as payment. Point being, it's worth the extra explanation when calling for quotes. The 3D cuts do use sophisticated machines and will be more expensive as compared to our classic style keys.