How to Get a Car Key Cut

It's expensive to replace your car keys, particularly when it's the only one you have. Duplicate keys are a great method to avoid costly replacements.

Having your car key cut at an automotive store like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. However, not all locksmith or hardware establishments offer key duplication and programming services.

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses keys at one moment, and when that occurs, it can cause an extremely stressful day, causing you to be unable to get into your car or home. Most people choose to have spare keys cut instead of changing their locks completely. This is faster and cheaper as well as more practical.

Key cutting is the process of creating 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 offer an area for cutting keys where you can get copies made in just a few minutes by a trained employee. These kiosks usually use keys with the identical design as your current key, however, they can also make copies of more intricate keys such as keys for your car or home security.

Contrary to traditional key cutting which uses mechanical tools, the latest technology in key duplication makes use of lasers to precisely duplicate the key's unique markings onto a blank piece of. This is called key by photo, and it is revolutionising the way that key duplication services function by significantly reducing the time and cost.

Modern electronic keys, such as keys used to control car lock systems or security access points, come with additional components that must be programmed to function properly. 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 require special equipment to duplicate correctly.

Key cutting can be the best way to get an extra key quickly and easily, but you should always seek professional assistance when you require it. Not all locksmiths are equal, and you should choose a reputable firm with a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals who have been through rigorous training to deal with different locking mechanisms and locks. You should also seek out a locksmith who offers emergency services. They can help you out in the event of a lockout accident.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting permits the making of spare keys, which can prevent damage to the original keys and decrease overall wear and wear and tear. A spare key can also be used if someone is locked out of their home, car or any other safe place as it can allow them to gain entry without the need for locksmith.

To duplicate a key, a professional can choose between the tracing or punch method of duplication. With the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it becomes black, and then pressed against the sticky side of a piece clear tape to leave an impression. Key cutters can make use of this imprint to cut around creating a copy that is the same shape and size to the original.

A pattern grinder is another common method. It grinds the original key until it has a flat surface on one side, with grooves and notches removed from the other. This makes it easier to insert the key into locks. Keys can also be cut with punching machines that measure the depth of the notch. The device then pushes a blade down onto the key and cuts each notch to the required depth. These machines can be manual or electric and can be programmed to work with different keys, eliminating the requirement for a specialist to be present.

A newer kind of key cutting technique is being utilized in a few locations, and is referred to as laser cutting. Instead of grinding the keys to the correct dimensions the laser is used to remove the material from the side of the key. The result is keys that resemble the serrated blades, which provides more protection against bump keys and other types of keys for tryouts.

A key cutting service can also create replacement keys for electronic key fobs, with an embedded chip that communicates with the lock's or vehicle's immobilizer system. The service can't create replacement keys for smarter keys that require special programming, which is usually reserved for manufacturers and dealerships of cars.

Key Cutting Equipment

When a person gets their keys cut, it is essential to select the correct local key cutting cutting machine. There are many types of key cutting machines. A few factors that could influence a person's decision include the size and style of the key, if they want an electric or automatic machine, and the amount they'd like to spend. The machine they choose will also affect the quality and accuracy 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 by hand or using a manual machine, but it can also be done using a laser or code. These machines typically require an identifier that tells the machine where to place the notches on the new key. A code can be entered manually into the machine, or it can be downloaded from a database.

There are also a number of machines that are able to cut mortice and cylinder locks. They are commonly referred to as dual key cutters. They reduce the time a locksmith spends by cutting both types of locks on the same machine. They can be expensive however they also make it possible to offer a wider range of services to customers.

Another option is to purchase a set that contains the cutting machine as well as the tools needed to operate it. These kits are typically cheaper than purchasing the tools individually and can be an excellent investment for anyone planning to launch a business cutting keys.

Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, was designed to be easy to use. The removable 10-inch touchscreen allows users to access various keys and provides step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. Ilco claims that the machine comes with an accessory tray that is integrated and LED lights that show its current status. Futura Pro is able to cut and decode a variety of keys that include dimples. It can be equipped with clamps that can be used to handle flat household keys and Tibbe keys as well as cruciform key.

Key Cutting Cost

Modern car keys are more than simply a piece of metal. They are equipped with transponder chips which need to be programmed to work with your car, and they require cutting machines that are specialized. This means they are more expensive to replace if they are lost or stolen. It is a good idea to have an extra key so that you have something to go to in case you're stuck.

If you're considering having your cheap car key cutting key cut it is important to know the difference between key cutting and duplication. While they might appear similar, duplication is the act of copying an existing key. Knowing which service you need can help you save money and time in the long term.

Mechanical key cut place duplication is a more traditional way of making a spare car key, and it requires the key cutting machine to trace the original contours on a blank key. This method is cheaper than other methods of making an alternative car key however it could be risky when the key isn't correctly created or the key blank isn't made of high-quality. If the key is not cut properly, it could cause damage to the lock and prevent the key from working.

Laser key cutting is more advanced and requires a special key-cutting machine. These machines can create a laser groove on both the flat and round sides of the key which allows them to be inserted into the lock cylinder in either way while still functioning. These are often referred to as sidewinder keys and are more effective at preventing theft than conventional keys. They are also more expensive because they are more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.

At AutoZone our associates will choose the right key blank for your year, year of manufacture and model, and then utilize a special cutting machine to duplicate your old car key. We have a broad selection of transponder key options which means you're certain to find the perfect one for your vehicle. We can even help you program it to your vehicle if necessary, at only a fraction of the price that you would spend at the dealership.