How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be expensive to replace, particularly if you lose your only one. A backup key is the best way to avoid costly replacements.
You can save money by having your car keys cut at an auto retailer like AutoZone instead of a dealership. Not all locksmith or hardware establishments offer key duplication or programming.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses their keys at some moment. This could be a major hassle as you are unable to access your car or home. The majority of people prefer having spare keys cut rather than change their locks completely. This is faster, cheaper, and more practical.
Key cutting is the process of duplicating a key cutting business using a special machine. This is done in order to make sure that the key matches the original in both shape and function.
A lot of hardware stores or big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk that you can get a copy made by trained employees in just a few minutes. These kiosks usually use keys that have the same style as your current key, however, they can also make copies of more intricate keys such as car or home security keys.
The most recent technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to precisely duplicate the unique markings of the original key onto a blank one. This is called key by photo, and it is revolutionising the way that key duplication services operate by drastically reducing the amount of time and cost.
Modern electronic keys, like those used to control cheap car key cutting near me lock systems, or security access points, contain additional components that must be programmed in order to function properly. These additional components such as the transponder chip that is found in vehicle keys and the embedded microchip that is found in some home security key communicate with their respective systems, and require specific equipment.
Key cutting is an excellent way to obtain an extra key quickly and easily, but you should always seek professional assistance when you require one. You should not settle for any locksmith. Instead, choose a reputable business with a team of experts who have undergone rigorous training in dealing with different locks and locking systems. It is also essential to find a locksmith key cutting that offers emergency services as they will 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 reduces wear and wear and tear. A spare key can also be used in the event that one is locked out of their car, home or any other secure location since it will allow them to gain entry without requiring the services of locksmith.
A professional can use either the punching or tracing method to duplicate keys. The tracing method involves heating the tip of the key until it is black, then pressing it against the sticky side the piece of clear tape. This creates an impression. This impression can be used by a key cutter to make an exact copy of the original that is identical in size and shape.
A pattern grinder is a different common method. It is used to grind the original key until it has a flat surface on one side, with grooves and notches removed from the other. This makes the key easier to insert into locks. A key can also be cut using a punching machine that measures the depth of the notch. The machine applies a blade onto the key and then cuts each notch to the required depth. The machines can be either electric or manual and can be programmed for various keys, thus reducing the need for an expert to be present.
A newer kind of key cutting technique is being utilized in certain places, which is known as laser cutting. Instead of grinding the keys to the right dimensions the laser is used to remove the material from the side of the key. The result is the keys looking similar to an asymmetrical blade, which provides more protection against bump keys as well as other kinds of test keys.
Key cutting services can also make replacement keys for electronic key fobs that have an embedded chip that communicates with a vehicle's or lock's immobilizer system. However, the service cannot create replacements for more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming that is typically reserved for dealerships and automobile manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is important to choose the right key-cutting machine when you need your keys cut. There are a variety of types and some of the factors that can affect a person's choice include the type of key they require, whether or not they want to use an automated or electric machine and how much money they want to spend. The machine they select will also affect the quality and precision of their work.
The majority of key cutting machines trace the profile of a key in order to create an entirely new key. This can be done by hand or using a manual machine. It can also be done with a laser or a code machine. These machines require a code to tell them where to put the key's notch. A code can be manually entered into the machine, or it can be downloaded from the database.
There are a few tools which can cut both cylinder and mortice locks. These are sometimes referred to as dual key cutters and can save a locksmith time by allowing them to cut both types of locks with the same machine. These tools can be costly however they can allow you to offer more services to customers.
A kit that includes the machine as well as the tools needed to operate it is a different option. These kits are typically cheaper than buying individual tools separately and could be a good investment for anyone who cuts car keys near me wishes to venture into the business of cutting keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, has been designed to be simple to use. Its 10-inch touchscreen tablet allows users to access a large range of keys and provides steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting the keys. Ilco claims that the machine comes with an accessory tray built-in and LED lights that indicate its status. Futura Pro is able to cut and decode many different keys, including dimples. It can be equipped with clamps that can be used to handle keys for household use and Tibbe keys as well as cruciform key.
Key Cutting Cost
Modern car keys are much more than a mere piece of metal. They have a transponder chip that is programmed to your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. This means they are more expensive to replace if they are stolen or lost. That's why it's always wise to invest in an extra key, so you'll have something to turn to if you're in a pinch.
If you decide to have your car key cut it's important to understand the distinction between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem similar, key cutting is creating a new key from scratch while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing what service you need will save you time and money in the long term.
Mechanical key duplication, which is a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, requires an instrument for cutting keys to trace the original contours onto a blank key. This method is less expensive than others, but could be risky if the key isn't created correctly or the key is not of good quality. Keys that are cut improperly can harm the lock's cylinder, and cause the key to stop working.
Laser key cutting is more sophisticated and requires a specialist key-cutting machine. These machines can make a laser groove both on the flat side of the key and permit it to fit into the lock-cylinder in either direction. These are commonly referred to as sidewinder key cutting keys and are more effective in preventing theft than conventional keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys due to the fact that they are more complicated and harder to find at hardware stores.
At AutoZone our associates will choose the right key blank for your year, make, and model and use a specific cutting machine to duplicate your previous car key. We offer a wide selection of transponder key options so you are sure to find the one that is right for your vehicle. We can also help you programme it to your car should you require it, for only a fraction of the price that you would spend at an auto dealer.