5 Laws That Anyone Working In Car Key Cut Should Know

How to Get a Car Key Cut

Car keys can be costly to replace, especially in the event that you lose only one. The possession of duplicate keys is the best way to avoid costly replacements.

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

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses keys at some moment, and when that happens, it can be an absolute hiccup in your day, making it impossible to get into your car or home. Many people opt to have spare keys cut instead of changing their locks completely. This is faster and less expensive, as well as more convenient.

Key cutting is the process of making duplicates of a key using a special machine. This is done in order to ensure that the key is identical to the original both in form and function.

Many hardware stores and big box stores have the option of a key cutting open now-cutting station, where you can have a copy made in minutes by a skilled worker. These kiosks are equipped with a blank key that is exactly like your existing key. They can also make copies of keys with more complicated designs, like car keys or home security keys.

The latest technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to accurately duplicate the unique markings on the original key onto a blank one. It's called key-by-photo and is revolutionizing the way key duplication services work by reducing costs and time.

Modern electronic keys, like those used to control the security of car locks or access points, have additional components that must be programmed in order to work correctly. These additional components like the transponder chip that is found in vehicle keys and the embedded microchip in a few home security keys communicate with their respective systems, and require special equipment.

Key cutting can be an excellent way to obtain a spare key quickly and easily, but it is important to seek professional assistance when you require one. There are many locksmiths that are not equal, and you should seek out a reputable business with a team of highly skilled professionals who have completed rigorous training to handle various locking mechanisms and locks. It's also important to find locksmiths who offer emergency services, since they'll be able to provide assistance in the event of an accidental lockout.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting can be used to make spare keys. This helps to prevent damage to the original keys, and also reduces wear and tear. A spare key could be used to gain access to a home or vehicle, or another safe place if a person has locked themselves outside.

A professional can utilize either the tracing or punching method to duplicate keys. When using the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it turns black, and then it is pressed against the sticky side of a piece of clear tape to leave an impression. A key cutter can then use this imprint to cut it away creating a copy that is exactly the same in size and shape to the original.

A pattern grinder is another popular 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. Keys can also be cut with a punching machine that measures the depth of the notch. A device then forces a blade to the key cutting each notch until the required depth. These machines can be manual or electric, and can be programmed to work with different keys, reducing the need for an expert to be present.

Laser cutting is a modern technique for cutting keys, which is employed in certain places. Instead of grinding the keys to create the proper dimensions, a laser is used to cut away material from the sides of the key. The result is keys that look like an asymmetrical blade that provides greater protection against bump keys and other types of test keys.

honda pilot key cutting cutting services are also able to create replacement keys for electronic fobs. The key fobs are equipped with an embedded chip which communicates with the immobilizer system of a car or lock. However, the service cannot make replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming typically reserved for dealerships and automobile key cutting near me manufacturers.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is important to choose the right machine to cut keys when a person needs their keys cut. There are many different types however, some elements that could influence a person's choice are the type of key they require, whether or not they prefer to use an automated or electric device, and the much they are willing to spend. The tool they select will also impact the quality of their work as well as how precise it is.

The majority of key cutting machines operate by tracing the profile of one key to cut new ones. This can be done by hand or with a manual machine. It could also be done using a laser or code machine. These machines require a code that tells them where to put the notch on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from the database.

There are a variety of machines that are able to cut mortice and cylinder locks. These are often called dual key cutters. They can reduce the time a locksmith spends by cutting both types of locks with the same machine. These are costly, however, they offer a wider variety of services.

A kit that includes the machine and the tools required to operate it is another option. These kits are often less expensive than buying the tools individually and are an excellent investment for those looking to start an enterprise that cuts keys.

Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, has been designed to be simple to use. Its touchscreen tablet that is removable allows users to access a large range of keys, and provides steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting them. The machine also comes with an accessory tray that is built-in, as well as LED lights that indicate the its status, according to Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys including dimple keys. 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 key.

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 specialized cutting machinery. This means they are more expensive to replace in the event that they are stolen or lost. It's always an excellent idea to have a spare key so that you can utilize it in the situation of a lockout.

If you decide to have your car keys cut, it's crucial to understand the distinction between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem like they are similar, key cutting involves creating a new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing the type of service you require will save your time and money in the long term.

Mechanical key duplication, which is a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, involves using the key-cutting machine to trace the original contours on the blank key. This method is less expensive than other methods, but it can be risky when the key isn't made correctly or the key is not of good quality. If the keys are not cut properly, they could harm the lock's cylinder, and cause the key to stop working.

Laser key cutting is more advanced and requires a special key-cutting machine. These machines can cut a laser car key cutting near me groove both on the flat side of the key, allowing it to fit inside the lock-cylinder either way. These keys are also referred to as sidewinder and are more effective at stopping theft than regular keys. These keys are also more expensive due to the fact that they're more complex and difficult to locate in hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates will use an exclusive machine to duplicate your car key using the right blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. We have a variety of transponder key options so you are sure to find the one that is right for your vehicle. We can assist you with programming the key to your car if needed and at a fraction of much as you would pay at the dealer.