How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be costly to replace, particularly when you lose the only one. Duplicate keys are the best method to avoid costly replacements.
Having your car key cut at an automotive store like AutoZone can save you money over going to the dealer. However, not all locksmith or hardware shops offer key duplication and programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at one point, and when this happens, it can be an absolute hiccup in your day, leaving you unable to access your home or car. Many people opt to have spare keys cut rather than changing their locks completely. This is a faster, less expensive and more convenient process.
Key cutting is a process that involves copying the original key onto an uncut key, using a specialised machine. This process is carried out to ensure that the new key is identical to the original in both form and function and makes it impossible for anyone other than you to gain access to your property using an imitation.
Many hardware stores and big box stores have a key cutting kiosk where you can obtain a duplicate made by trained employees in a matter of minutes. These kiosks are equipped with an uncut key that is exactly like your existing key. They can also make copies of keys that have more intricate designs, like keys for car keys or home security.
The most recent technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools that can precisely duplicate the unique markings of the original key onto a blank. This is known as key-by-photo, and is revolutionizing the process of key duplication by reducing the cost and time.
Modern electronic keys, such as keys used to control the security of car locks or access points, come with additional components that need to be programmed in order to work correctly. These additional components such as the transponder chip in vehicle keys and the embedded microchip found in a few home security keys communicate with their respective systems, and require special equipment.
Key cutting is an excellent way to obtain a spare key quickly and easily, however it is important to seek professional help when you need one. Not all locksmiths are to be the same, so you must choose a reputable firm with a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals who have undergone rigorous training to deal with different locks and locking mechanisms. It is also essential to find a locksmith that offers emergency services, as they'll be able to help in the event of a mishap that results in a lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to make spare keys. This can prevent damage to the original keys and decreases wear and wear and tear. In addition, spare keys can be used in the event that someone has locked themselves out of their car, home or any other safe place as it can allow them to gain access without the assistance of locksmith.
A professional can use either the punching or tracing method to duplicate keys. The method of tracing involves heating the tip of the key until it is black and pressing it against the sticky side the piece of clear tape. This leaves an imprint. A key cutter can then use this imprint to cut around, making a copy that is the same shape and size to the original.
A pattern grinder is another common method. car key cutting near me grinds the original key until it has a smooth surface at 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. The machine forces an edge onto the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. The machines can be either electric or manual and can be programmed to work with different keys. This eliminates the need for a specialist.
Laser cutting is a modern method of cutting keys that is used in specific areas. Instead of grinding the keys down to the proper dimensions, the laser is used remove the material from the sides of the key. The keys resemble an elongated knife, and are more resistant to bump keys and other kinds of keys.
A key cutting service is also able of creating replacement keys for electronic fobs. Key fobs with an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer system of a car or locks. The service can't create replacement keys for smarter keys that require special programming, which is typically reserved for car dealerships and manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
When a person gets their keys cut, it is important to find the right key cutting machine. There are a variety of key cutting machines. The factors that can affect a person's choice include the size and style of the key, whether they prefer an electric or automatic machine, and the amount they'd like to spend. The type of machine they select will also affect the quality and precision of their work.
The majority of key cutting machines work by tracing the shape of one key to cut new ones. This can be done manually or with a manual machine however, it could be accomplished using a laser or code. These machines will typically need codes that tell 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 databases.
There are a few machines which can cut mortice and cylinder locks. These are often called dual key cutters. They reduce the time a locksmith spends by allowing them to cut both types of locks with the same machine. These tools can be costly however they also allow you to offer a wider range of services to customers.
A kit that includes the machine and the tools needed to operate it is an alternative option. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing tools on their own and can be a good option for those looking to get into the business of cutting keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, has been designed to be easy to use. Its removable 10-inch touchscreen tablet lets users access a wide range of keys and provides step-by-step directions for duplicates and cutting the keys. Ilco claims that the machine comes with an accessory tray built-in and LED lights that indicate its state. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a wide range of keys that include dimple keys. It is equipped with optional clamps to handle flat household keys and Tibbe keys, as well as cruciform keys.
Key Cutting Costs
Modern car keys are more than simply a piece of metal. They have a transponder chip that needs to be programmed for your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. This makes them more expensive to replace in the event that they are lost or stolen. This is why it's always a good idea to have an extra key, so you have something to turn to if you're in a bind.
It's crucial to know the difference between duplication and key cutting when you decide to have your car keys cut. Although they may appear like they are similar, key cutting involves creating a new key from scratch whereas duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing the type of service you require will save you time and money over the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, uses an instrument for cutting keys to trace the original contours on a blank key. This method is less expensive than others, but can be risky when the key is not made correctly or the blank is of poor quality. Insufficiently-cut keys can harm the lock's cylinder, and cause your key to stop working.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting machine that is specialized. These machines can cut an optical groove on the flat side of the key and permit it to fit into the lock-cylinder in either direction. These keys are also known as sidewinders and are more effective at protecting against theft than normal keys. These keys are also more expensive because they're more complicated and difficult to find in hardware stores.
At AutoZone the associate will select the correct key blank for your year, model, and model and use an exclusive cutting machine to duplicate your old car key. We have a broad selection of transponder keys, so you are sure to find the perfect one for your vehicle. We can assist you with programming the key to your car, if you require it and for a fraction of the cost price as you would at dealers.