4 Dirty Little Secrets About The Car Key Cut Industry

How to Get a Car Key Cut

Car keys can be expensive to replace, particularly in the event that you lose only one. Duplicate keys are the best way to avoid expensive replacements.

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

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses their keys at some point. This can be a major hassle as you are unable to get into your vehicle or home. Most people prefer to have extra keys made rather than changing their locks. This is a quicker and less expensive process.

Key cutting is a process that involves replicating the original key onto an uncut key, using a specialised machine. This is done 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 that you can have a copy made by trained employees within a matter of minutes. These kiosks are equipped with keys that are blank and identical to your current key. They can also make copies of keys with more complicated designs, like keys for car keys or home security.

Contrary to traditional key cutting which is a process that uses mechanical tools, the most advanced technology in key duplication uses lasers to precisely duplicate the key's unique markings on a blank key. This is known as key by photo, and it is changing the way key duplication services function by drastically reducing the time and cost to get car key cut involved.

Modern electronic keys, such as keys used to control the security of car key cutting and programming locks or access points, contain additional components that need to be programmed in order to function properly. These additional components like the transponder chip that is found in keys for vehicles and the embedded microchip in some home security key communicate with their respective systems, requiring specialised equipment.

Key cutting can be an excellent way to obtain an extra key quickly and easily, but you should always seek out professional assistance when you require it. Don't settle for any locksmith. Instead, select a reputable company with a staff of professionals who have undergone rigorous training in dealing with various locks and locking systems. It's also important to find locksmiths who offer emergency services, since they'll be able to provide assistance in the event of an accident that causes a lockout.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This can prevent damage to the original keys and decreases wear and wear and tear. A spare key can also be used to gain access to a home or car, or any other secure location if someone has locked themselves outside.

To make a duplicate key, a professional can either use the tracing or punch method of duplication. With the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it becomes black, then it is pressed against the sticky side of a piece of clear tape to leave an imprint. A key cutter will utilize this imprint to cut it away the original key, creating a copy which is exactly the same in dimensions and shape to the original.

A pattern grinder is a different commonly used method. It is used to grind the original key until it has a smooth surface on one end and grooves and notches removed from the other. This allows the key to insert into locks. Keys can also be cut using punching machines that measure the depth of the notch. The device then pushes an edge down on the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. These machines are either electric or manual and can be programmed for different keys, eliminating the requirement for a specialist to be present.

A newer form of key cutting technique is being utilized in a few places, which is known as laser cutting. Instead of grinding down keys to make the proper dimensions, a laser is used to remove material from the sides of the key. The keys appear like a serrated knife, and are more resistant to bump keys and other kinds of keys.

A key cutting service may create replacement keys for electronic key fobs with an embedded chip that connects to a vehicle's or lock's immobilizer system. The service is not able to make replacement keys for smarter keys that require special programming, which is usually reserved for manufacturers and car dealerships.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is important to choose the right machine to cut keys when someone needs their keys cut. There are a variety of key cutting machines. A few factors that could influence a person's decision are the size and style of the key, whether they want an automatic or electric machine, as well as the amount they want 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 contour of a key in order to cut another one. This can be done manually or with a manual machine but it can also be done with a laser or code. These machines will typically need codes that tell the machine where to put the notches on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from databases.

There are a few tools that cut mortice and cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are available and can save locksmiths time by cutting both types of locks at the same time. They can be expensive, but they can also allow you to offer a wider range of services to customers.

A kit that includes the machine along with the tools needed to operate it is another option. These kits are usually less expensive than buying individual tools separately, and can be an excellent investment for anyone looking to start an operation that cuts keys.

The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. The removable 10-inch touchscreen allows users to access various keys and provides step-bystep instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. The machine also comes with a built-in accessory tray and LED lights to show the status, according to Ilco. Futura Pro is able to cut and decode many different keys including dimples. It also comes with clamps for handling flat household and Tibbe keys, as for cruciform keys.

Key Cutting Cost

Modern car keys are more than just a piece of metal. They contain transponder chips that need to be programmed to work with your car and require cutting machines that are specialized. This makes them more expensive to replace if they are stolen or lost. That's why it's always wise to have an extra key, so you have something to turn to in case you're in a bind.

It's crucial to know the difference between duplication and cutting when you decide to get a car key cut near me your car keys cut. While they may seem similar, key cutting involves making a new key from scratch while duplication is simply copying an existing one. Knowing which one you require can save you time and money in the long run.

Mechanical key duplication is a more traditional way of making an extra car key and it requires the key cutting machine to trace the original contours onto the blank key. This method is cheaper than other methods of making an alternative car key, but it can be risky if the key isn't properly constructed or the key blank isn't high-quality. A poorly cut key could damage the lock and stop your key from working.

Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting device that is specialized. These machines can make an optical groove on the flat side of the key, allowing it to fit into the lock-cylinder either way. These keys cut in my area are also known as sidewinder and are more effective in preventing theft than normal keys. These keys are also more expensive since they are more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates use an instrument that can duplicate your car key using the correct blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. We have a vast selection of transponder keys, which means you can be sure to find the correct one for your vehicle. We can assist you with programming the key to your car if needed and at a fraction of price as you would at dealers.