Three Greatest Moments In Car Key Cut History

How to Get a Car Key Cut

Car keys can be costly to replace, especially if you lose your only one. Having duplicate keys is the best protection against expensive replacements.

Cutting your car keys at a car repair shop like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. But not all hardware stores or locksmith establishments offer key duplication and programming services.

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses keys at one time, and when this occurs, it could be a real hiccup in your day, leaving you unable to access your car or home. The majority of people prefer having spare keys cut rather than change their locks entirely. This is a quicker and less expensive procedure.

Key cutting is a technique that involves duplicating an original key on an uncut key, using a specialised machine. This is done in order to ensure that the key is identical to the original both in form and function.

Many hardware stores or big box stores have a key cutting kiosk where you can have a copy made by trained workers in just a few minutes. These kiosks are equipped with an uncut key that is the same as your existing key. They can also cut copies of keys with more complex designs, like car keys or home security keys.

Unlike traditional key cutting, which relies on mechanical tools the most advanced technology for key duplication utilizes lasers to precisely duplicate the original key's unique markings onto a blank key. This is known as key-by-photo, and is revolutionizing the way key duplication services work by reducing time and costs.

Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems, or security access points, have additional components which must be programmed correctly. These additional components, like a transponder chip on vehicle keys, or a microchip embedded in some security keys for homes communicate with the system they're designed to be part of, and they require specialised equipment to duplicate properly.

When you need a spare, key cutting is a simple and quick method to obtain one. However you should always seek advice from a professional. There are many locksmiths that are not equal, and you should look for a reputable company with a team of highly skilled professionals who have been through rigorous training in dealing with various locking mechanisms and locks. It is also important to find locksmiths that provide emergency services. They will be able help you out in the event of an emergency lockout.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting can be used to make spare keys. This prevents damage to the original keys and reduces wear and tear. A spare key can also be used to gain access to your home or vehicle, or another safe location if someone is locked out.

A professional can use either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key. The tracing method involves heating the tip of the key until it turns black, then pressing it against the sticky surface of a piece clear tape. This creates an imprint. This imprint can be used by key cutters to create a copy of the original that is identical in size and shape.

A pattern grinder is another commonly used method. It grinds the original key until it has a smooth surface on one end and grooves and notches removed from the other. This allows you to insert the key into locks. A key can also be cut using punching machines that measure the depth of the notch. The machine forces a blade onto the key and then cuts each notch to the required depth. These machines are either electric or manual and can be programmed for various keys, thus reducing the need for an expert to be present.

Laser cutting is a more recent method of cutting keys, which is employed in certain places. Instead of grinding keys down to the proper dimensions the laser is used to remove material from the side of the key. This results in keys that look like an asymmetrical blade which offers more protection against bump keys and other types of keys for tryouts.

A key cutting service can create replacement keys for electronic key fobs which feature an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer of a lock or vehicle's system. However the service isn't capable of creating replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming, which is usually reserved for dealerships or car manufacturers.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is crucial to select the right machine to cut keys when you need your keys cut. There are a variety of key cutting machines. The factors that can influence a person's decision are the size and type of the key, whether they prefer an electric or automatic machine, and the amount they'd like to spend. The machine they select will also affect the quality and precision of their work.

The majority of key cutting machines work by tracing the shape of one key to cut new ones. This can be done manually or with a manual machine. It can also be done using a laser or a code machine. These machines will typically need codes that tell the machine where to place the notches on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from databases.

There are a variety of machines that are able to cut mortice as well as cylinder locks. They are commonly referred to as dual key cutters. They can save a locksmith time by allowing them to cut both types of locks with the same machine. These are costly, but can offer a greater range of services.

A kit that includes the machine and the tools required to operate it is an alternative option. These kits are typically cheaper than buying individual tools separately and could be a good investment for anyone who wishes to start a business of cutting keys.

Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, was designed to be simple to use. The removable 10-inch touchscreen allows users to access many keys and provides step-bystep instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. Ilco claims that the machine comes with an integrated accessory tray as well as LED lights that indicate its current status. Futura Pro is able to cut and decode many different keys including dimples. It is able to be fitted with clamps that can be used to handle flat household keys as well as Tibbe keys as well as cruciform keys.

Key Cutting Cost

Modern car keys are more than a simple piece of metal. They are equipped with a transponder chip which must be programmed for your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. This means they are more expensive to replace if they are stolen or lost. It's always an excellent idea to have an extra key in case you can use it in the situation of a lockout.

It's important to know the difference between duplication and key cutting before you decide to get keys cut your car keys cut. Although they may appear identical, duplication is the act of copying an existing key. Knowing what service you need will save you time and money over the long run.

Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, involves using an instrument for cutting keys to trace the original contours on a blank key. This process is cheaper than other methods of making keys for replacement however it could be risky if the key isn't properly made or the key blank isn't of high-quality. Insufficiently-cut key can cause damage to the lock and prevent your key from working.

Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting machine that is specialized. These machines can cut a laser groove both on the flat side of the key and allow it to fit into the lock-cylinder in either direction. These keys are also referred to as sidewinders and are more effective at protecting against theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive since they're more complex and difficult to find in hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates will employ an exclusive machine to duplicate your car key using the correct blank for your vehicle's year and make. We have a vast selection of transponder keys so you're sure that you get the correct one for your car. We can help you program the key to your car, if needed, and for a fraction of the cost price as you would at a dealer.