<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Sofa King Cool]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sofa King Cool: Tech, Tools, Triumphs, Diagnostics, Apocryphon, ]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:57:46 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.sofakingcool.org/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[A wise man once told me: a locksmith needs to have many friends]]></title><description><![CDATA[Coming Soon]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/a-wise-man-once-told-me-a-locksmith-needs-to-have-many-friends</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4da4b8aee2a8b4b6274623</guid><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 01:15:39 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Some stories about the daily learning curve of a automotive locksmith...]]></title><description><![CDATA[No matter how much you read, learn and prepare... there is nothing to prepare you for what its like to actually be a locksmith.  EVERY day is a challenge, every car is unique and if you want to be the end all be all you need a process to help you through it.  Costly mistakes can be made as soon as you pickup the phone, when you are on the job and there are even times where you will not solve the problem on the first try.  Tools don't always work like they should, your internet connection does...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/some-stories-about-the-daily-learning-curve-of-a-automotive-locksmith</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a4d9c0e24d6803bed6b71b3</guid><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 01:14:21 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A long overdue locksmithing update...]]></title><description><![CDATA[It has come to my attention that this field requires more and more research than anything else I have ever tried to learn.  More and more trial and error since there is no one out there that truly wants you to succeed.  The forums are filled with professionals who refuse to help and sometimes they shouldn't sure... many people ask questions without first bothering to search.  Information is horded unless you want to play 150+ a month to alteracademy.co.uk.  If you are serious about this field...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/a-long-overdue-locksmithing-update</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2224b0aaa8d363bc448af2</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:21:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_0e5e0f6b25b3431d939f5a9abec64433~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_640,h_414,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford electronic tail gates and how much work they can be to keep working]]></title><description><![CDATA[Coming soon]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/ford-electronic-tail-gates-and-how-much-work-they-can-be-to-keep-working</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a22248c367ed35011d6d76d</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:21:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_0438d93be5c84b4dacc4bc17335eeb5c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[New parts pre painted &#38; shipped to you]]></title><description><![CDATA[I have been pursuing this subject since I lost all my reasonably priced auto body guys.  This is something everyone has probably already dealt with but this is a new development for me.  I have a couple of guy who do great paint and who know their business enough to have my respect.  I got a truck recently that needs 2 fenders, bumper and hood plus some assorted small bits painted like OEM front and back.  Here I am thinking Id be out like 800 for paint... before I got the first 2000+ dollar...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/new-parts-pre-painted-shipped-to-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2224671f44c606b375e263</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:20:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_0c9d34e95e0e410b99c9dd5992b1d972~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[When Tuning is the answer to repairing functionality the OEM has discontinued support for ]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is a tough situation for one of my customers that required an outside of the box solutions in order to save them frustation, money and having to brave discontinued parts.  A problem that use to be few and far between and has become more a requirement then a once in a while requirement. Coming Soon]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/when-tuning-is-the-answer-to-repairing-functionality-the-oem-has-discontinued-support-for</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0fa6eea2438924d10b0440</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 00:45:51 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Milwaukee Air Compressor Must Have Upgrade]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you are fortunate enough to have embraced the Milwaukee M18 tools then you need to know this upgrade for their much loved air compressor. 	I bought this air compressor off a review of a personal friend of mine.  I had a Ryobi hand held one previously that I received for a present one Christmas but I have been looking for a more professional tool for some time after that.  The Ryobi has a trigger you have to hold and does not build pressure very quickly.  Imagine having to do that on a LT...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/milwaukee-air-compressor-must-have-upgrade</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0fa323a2438924d10afc4f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 00:29:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_0b4c9c9579454a12ad0792c5aa5c1a4d~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[2006 Toyota RAV4 all keys lost... from hell]]></title><description><![CDATA[Coming soon 	There is a lot of misconceptions when it comes to vehicle locksmithing.  It is far more complicated in comparison to residential locksmithing.  The security systems change from manufacturer to manufacturer, vehicle to vehicle, and new tools are constantly being marketed making the equipment cost rise year after year.  On top of that any sort of electrical issue or aftermarket accessory wired into a car can make even the most straight forward task such as programming a key on...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/2006-toyota-rav4-all-keys-lost-from-hell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69fbc76c5caf4ed272c0b823</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 22:57:50 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Cutting keys without cutting into your savings]]></title><description><![CDATA[I do not want to spend 1700 dollars on a machine to cut keys when local lock smiths will do it for a couple of bucks no matter the source... So I watched some videos, i evaluated the cost effective options and I found something people have missed... 	I bought a $120 dollar key machine.  It is a manual duplicator (mile type) that many videos on YouTube support for its value.  I watched on video and they complained that they had to modify the vices to hold a key and made a paper spacer to go...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/cutting-keys-without-cutting-into-your-savings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f9342f356085c640506e79</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 00:53:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_09c1ee3ebb65417da94b75ff9070fda1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My entry level CNC mill effort: thoughts and experience]]></title><description><![CDATA[Coming Soon]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/my-entry-level-cnc-mill-effort-thoughts-and-experience</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e6a9298e63193b95d3fa48</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:31:06 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Some entry level budget friendly machines for laser cutters/engravers]]></title><description><![CDATA[I started down this path over a year ago.  I bought a cheap 100 dollar ebay setup with some good reviews... but there are some things you need to know.  Cheap units are great if you want to have to spend time learning every single option in the freeware programs that these machines come with through trial and error.  It would make you a true source of knowledge on forums for these things but at the end of the day you need to remember that you only have so much free time to spend on things. ...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/some-entry-level-budget-friendly-machines-for-laser-cutters-engravers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e6a6c0aacc9bfec2fcaedb</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:30:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_03bf1bda283e444c919a87ffdab8ad6e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The latest Keys &#38; key tool list that I consider essential after months of research, tool purchases, and regret]]></title><description><![CDATA[This will be simple.  I have a lot of apocryphon to get up and only so much time in the day for this.  This is in response to the Autel feature removal issue that has angered many people.  Xhorse has a sweet mobile app that allows for easy lookup that is ideal for quoting jobs and researching new situations you have not been in before outside of having to open up your tool crates.  I spent over 5k so far on my tool knowledge and it will reflect here. 	Must have's: KM100 (post all key lost...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/the-latest-keys-key-tool-list-that-i-consider-essential-after-months-of-research-tool-purchases</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e434380c8d230c9e912c32</guid><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:16:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_6fc6686228eb47a58e5ea005677fc8f6~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_480,h_480,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Electronic parking brakes and a strange thing that Hyundai Does...]]></title><description><![CDATA[Car came in the shop the other day needing brakes all the way around.  It was a high mileage, for the year, 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe with electronic rear parking brakes.  For those of you who don't know electronic parking brakes require being placed into service mode in order for you to be able to change the brake pads.  Some vehicles you can do this through the radio in the car but a great many require a updated/newer style diagnostic computer in order to enter this mode.  Some manufacturers...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/electronic-parking-brakes-and-a-strange-thing-that-hyundai-does</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e430b1a96d49e56ec14aa2</guid><pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 01:32:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_0ecc8e969bee4b328cc14db9c99170fa~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_399,h_372,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A service managers perspective on car value over their lifetime]]></title><description><![CDATA[The internet has existed for decades and its only taught people to ignore the value in what it has to offer them.  Every day people ask me should I buy this car or that and I am getting tired of giving advice no one listens to.  I see it all as a service manager albeit informed by the cars that come through my door.  Here are some stories I have shared with people whose own families provided the data I gave them... which was summarily ignored.  The people who still want to buy something even...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/a-service-managers-perspective-on-car-value-over-their-lifetime</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e18ae6441ae2d5fdf30b35</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:34:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_ea710060fe844278b3d271264b2fd97e~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_652,h_367,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Realistically priced key cutting machines and the days I have spent investigating them]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is coming oh so soon.  I hope to have my own modification parts available for these budget machines to make them comparable to the 1500+ dollar machines everyone says you will need to even begin to cut keys.  Given I can have cut keys at a local lock smith for less then 3 dollars a key it does not make sense to spend thousands on machines when you will need thousands in key blanks/remotes to even make a go of all this... 	Lets break down what I have purchased.  Above is a machine that...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/realistically-priced-key-cutting-machines-and-the-days-i-have-spent-investigating-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e188f3c4c584cedb060d32</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:13:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_dca155ecc42a49fbbe57d375473acda6~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[IM508/KM100 first start up with VPN active (Part 2)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was loathed to find out that my new Autel IM508 tool did not have the features that made the tool as popular as it is today.  It should be noted that any American based tool will eventually lose its value due to lawsuits and future NASTF registration requirements.  That being said... there are not a lot of Chinese options immune to these regulations that are even on the same level as the Autel tools.  Many require tokens and fees based on every single car or even every single key you...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/im508-first-start-up-with-vpn-active-part-2</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e029efc0d279b375a7b091</guid><pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:14:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_a54f3f3d0bee4663b0bb95bfe8575b3b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My experience with the GL. iNet GXL-AXT1800 travel VPN router]]></title><description><![CDATA[I cannot even begin to review all the different types of travel router products made by this company.  Given my budget for this project and its fabled value to begin with (this is all a pursuit of some rumors that have been floating around the internet) I bought what I saw as the diamond in the ruff.  Not only that it shipped out via amazon even though I purchased directly through their website with a 10 dollar off coupon! 	First start: the instructions are not super straight forward.  There...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/my-experience-with-the-gl-inet-gxl-axt1800-travel-vpn-router</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69e029bc1847596b2f55f458</guid><pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:13:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_b2a40814c4fa4973b484982578015b4a~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_700,h_700,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to stock keys to be effective in the Vehicle Locksmith world (what they do not tell you)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I WISH I did not have so much time and effort into trying to figure out what keys I need to stock to do all vehicles.  Fobik and bladed keys throw a huge monkey wrench into the whole operation.  For these two specific keys you most likely will need to stock keys that have FCCID codes already programmed into them... which is sad for us here in the aftermarket.  There is a lot of money to be maid even at 1/3 the price the OEM charges but stocking keys is the largest singular expense. 	Everyone...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/how-to-stock-keys-to-be-effective-in-the-vehicle-locksmith-world-what-they-do-not-tell-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ded8d3934ce577916cd8eb</guid><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:16:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_babca8b225444f91839834c13c66e0bd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_665,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to backup your Autel Tools]]></title><description><![CDATA[Am I really about to try to update my Autel tools in order to add functionality of newer updates at the risk of losing the features I already have in regards to All Keys Lost?  ES file explorer is a thing of days long past...  I have watched a couple of videos explaining how backing up your tools before hand can allow you to copy back the files you lost in order to retain that functionality... but does it really work?  In that regard I LOVE blogs over silly videos on YouTube.  There are many...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/how-to-reverse-what-autel-updates-have-done</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ded6551847596b2f522bb9</guid><pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:06:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_d5d1d59338ee47c4b2b0f729da340fb8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_627,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My new IM508... and my VPN experiment (Part 1)]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was excited to order my IM508... finally nearing the end of a long list of tools you need in order to do automotive keys in the present world.  They say you should never update Autel tools and you should listen to them.  But what if you get a tool that has been made after an update removes features?  Can you get them back? Well, lets try some of "fixes" I have seen online with an assist to Nord VPN and something sneaky labelled a "travel VPN router".... one of the best proper true ways to...]]></description><link>https://www.sofakingcool.org/post/my-new-im508-and-my-vpn-experiment</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69daf0df75afb0779a733c33</guid><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:09:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/21d715_40ff7f91823b44309b0e9da9cec6def2~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>SC</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>