How to Get a Car Key Cut

It's expensive to replace your car keys, especially in the case of only one you have. Having duplicate keys is the best way to avoid expensive replacements.

You can save money by cutting your car keys at an auto retailer like AutoZone instead of an auto dealer. However, not all hardware stores or locksmith establishments offer key duplication and programming services.

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses their keys at some point. This can be a major hassle because you're unable get into your vehicle or home. The majority of people prefer having spare keys cut rather than changing their locks entirely. This process is quicker, cheaper, and more efficient.

Key cutting is a process that involves duplicating an original key on an uncut key, using a specialised machine. This process is carried out to ensure that the new key is identical to the original in design and function, making it impossible for someone else to unlock your property using an imitation.

Many hardware stores and big box stores have a key cutting kiosk where you can get a copy made by trained workers in a matter of minutes. The kiosks typically make use of a key blank that has the same design as your existing key, however, they also can make copies of more elaborate keys, such as keys for your car or home security.

The most recent technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to precisely duplicate the unique markings on the original key onto a blank one. It's called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the process of key duplication by reducing time and costs.

Modern electronic keys, like ones used to control the security of car locks or access points, come with additional components that need to be programmed to function correctly. These additional components, like a transponder chip on vehicle keys, or a microchip embedded in a few home security keys, communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into and require special equipment to duplicate properly.

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. Not all locksmiths are equal, and you should seek out a reputable business with a team of highly skilled professionals who have completed rigorous training to handle different locks and locking mechanisms. It's also important to find a locksmith that offers emergency services as they'll be able to help 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 also reduces wear and tear. A spare key could be used to gain access to your home, car, or other safe location if someone has locked themselves outside.

A professional can use either the tracing or punching method to duplicate the key. With 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 the clear tape to leave an imprint. A key cutter can then use this imprint to cut around the original key, creating a copy which is exactly the same in size and shape to the original.

A pattern grinder is another popular method. It is used to grind the original key until it has a smooth 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 machine applies an edge onto the key and then cuts 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.

Laser cutting is a newer technique for cutting keys that is used in a few areas. Instead of grinding keys to make the proper dimensions, a laser is used to remove the material from the sides of the key. The result is the keys looking similar to the serrated blades, which provides more protection against bump keys and other types of tryout keys.

A key cutting service can also make replacement keys for electronic key fobs, that have an embedded chip that connects to a vehicle's or lock's immobilizer system. However it cannot create replacements for more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming, which is often reserved for dealerships and car manufacturers.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is important to choose the correct key-cutting machine for you need your keys cut. There are a variety of types however, some elements that can influence a person's choice are the type of key they require, whether or not they wish to use an automatic or electric machine, and how much money they'd like to spend. The tool they select will also affect the quality of their work and the accuracy of it.

Most key cutting machines trace the profile of a key in order to create an entirely new key. This can be done by hand or with a machine that is manual. It could also be done using a laser or code machine. These machines will typically need an identifier that tells the machine where to place the notches on the new key. A code can be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from a database.

There are a few machines that can cut mortice and cylinder locks. These are sometimes referred to as dual key cutters. They can save a locksmith time by cutting both types of locks with the same machine. They can be expensive however they also allow you to offer more services to customers.

Another option is to purchase an entire kit that includes the cutting machine as well as the tools required to operate it. These kits are typically cheaper than purchasing tools on their own and can be a good investment for anyone who wishes to get into the business of cutting key keys.

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

Key Cutting Costs

Modern car keys are more than just a piece of metal. They are equipped with a transponder chip which needs to be programmed for your vehicle and require specialized cutting equipment. 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 use it in the event of an emergency lockout.

If you're considering having your car key cut, it's important to understand the difference between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem like they are similar, duplication is actually the process of copying an existing key. Knowing which service you need will help you save money and time in the long term.

Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of making spare keys for cars, requires the key-cutting machine to trace the original contours onto the blank key. This method is less expensive than other methods of making an alternative car key, but it can be risky in the event that the key isn't well created or the key blank isn't made of high-quality. If the keys are not cut properly, they could damage the lock cylinder and cause your key to stop functioning.

Laser key cutting is more advanced and requires a specialized key-cutting machine. These machines can create an optical groove on both sides of the key, which allows them to fit into the lock cylinder facing either way and still function. These are often referred to as sidewinder keys and are more effective in preventing theft than conventional keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys since they are more complex and difficult to locate in hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates use an exclusive machine to duplicate your car keys using the correct blank for your vehicle's year and make. We offer a variety of transponder keys, which means you're sure to get the right one for your vehicle. We can assist you with programming the key to your car if required and at a fraction of the cost you would pay at a dealer.