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 method to avoid costly replacements.
Having your car key cut at an auto shop like AutoZone will save you money over the dealership. But not all locksmith or hardware shops offer key duplication or programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at some time, and when this occurs, it can cause a real hiccup in your day, leaving you unable to gain access to your home or car. Most people choose to have spare keys cut rather than change their locks completely. This is faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
Key cutting is the process of creating a key using a special machine. This is done to ensure that the key is identical to the original in both shape and function.
Many hardware stores and big box stores offer an area for cutting keys where you can get a copy made in minutes by a skilled worker. These kiosks usually use a key blank that has the same design as your existing key, but they can also cut copies of more complicated keys, such as keys for your car or home security.
Unlike traditional key cutting, which is a process that uses mechanical tools, the most advanced technology in key duplication uses lasers to precisely replicate the original key's unique markings onto a blank key. This is called key by photo, and it is revolutionising the way that key duplication services function by drastically reducing the time and expense involved.
Modern electronic keys, like those used to control the security of car locks or access points, contain additional components that need to be programmed in order to function correctly. These additional components, such as the transponder chip found in car keys, or a microchip embedded in some security keys for homes, communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into, and they require specialised equipment to duplicate properly.
Key cutting can be an excellent way to obtain an extra key quickly and easily, but you should always seek professional assistance when you require it. Don't settle for any locksmith. Instead, you should select a reputable company with a team of professionals who have been through rigorous training in dealing with various locks and locking systems. key cutting open now G28 Car Keys is also essential to find a locksmith that offers emergency services, since they can assist in the event of an accident that causes a lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to make spare keys. This helps to prevent damage to the original keys and decreases wear and tear. A spare key can also be used to gain access to your home or car, or any other secure location if someone has locked themselves outside.
A professional can use either the tracing or punching method to duplicate the key. When using 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 clear tape to leave an imprint. This impression can be used by a key cutter to make a copy of the original identical to its size and shape.
A pattern grinder is another commonly used method. It grinds the original key until it has a flat surface on one side and grooves and notches removed from the other. This allows you to insert the key into locks. Finally, a key can be cut using a punch machine, which will take the key and measure the depth of each notch. A device then presses a blade down onto the key and cuts each notch to the required depth. These machines can either be manual or electric and can be programmed to work with different keys. This reduces the need for an expert.
Laser cutting is a modern technique for cutting keys that is utilized in a few places. Instead of grinding the keys down to the proper dimensions using a laser, it is used to remove material from the side of the key. This results in keys that look like a serrated blade that provides greater protection against bump keys and other types of tryout keys.
Key cutting services are also able to design replacement keys for electronic fobs. Key fobs with an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer systems of a vehicle or locks. However, the service cannot create replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys that require specialized programming, which is often reserved for dealerships and automobile manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
If someone needs their keys cut, it is important to find the right key cutting machine. There are many types of key cutting machines. The factors that can influence a person's decision include the type and size of the key, whether they want an electric or automated machine, and how much they want spend. The tool they select will also influence the quality of their work and 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 machine that is manual. It can also be done using the laser or a code machine. These machines will typically require an identifier that tells the machine where to put the notches on the new key. A code can be manually entered into the machine, or it can be downloaded from databases.
There are a variety of machines available that can cut mortice and cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are readily available and can cut locksmiths' time by cutting both locks at the same time. They are expensive however, they offer a wider variety of services.
A kit that includes the machine as well as the tools needed to operate it is an alternative option. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing individual tools and can be an excellent investment for anyone planning to launch an enterprise that cuts keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, is designed to be easy to use. Its 10-inch touchscreen tablet lets users access a wide range of keys and provides steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting the keys. Ilco claims that the machine comes with an integrated accessory tray as well as LED lights that show its status. Futura Pro is able to decode and cut many different keys that include dimples. It can be equipped with clamps for handling flat household keys as well as Tibbe keys, as well as cruciform keys.
Key Cutting Cost
Modern keys for cars are more than simply a piece of metal. They are equipped with transponder chips which need to be programmed to work with your vehicle, and they require special cutting equipment. They are more costly to replace in the event they are stolen or lost. It's always recommended to keep an extra key in case you can utilize it in the event of an emergency lockout.
It's important to know the distinction between duplication and key cutting when you decide to have your car keys cut. While they might appear similar, duplication is the act of copying an existing key. Knowing which service you need can save you money and time in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication is a traditional method of creating a spare car key and it requires a key cutting machine to trace the original contours onto a blank key. This method is less expensive than other methods of making an alternative car key, but it can be risky if the key isn't properly made or the key blank isn't high-quality. Keys that are cut improperly can damage the lock cylinder and cause your key to stop working.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting machine that is specially designed. These machines can create an optical groove on the flat side of the key and allow it to fit inside the lock-cylinder in any direction. These keys are also known as sidewinders and are more effective in protecting against theft than normal keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys because they are more complex and are more difficult to locate at hardware stores.
At AutoZone, an associate will choose the right key blank for your year, year of manufacture and model, and then utilize a specific cutting machine to duplicate your previous car key. We have a broad selection of transponder key options so you're sure to find the one that is right for your vehicle. We can even assist you to programme it to your car if necessary, at only a fraction of the price that you would spend at an auto dealer.