How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be costly to replace, particularly when you lose the only one. The possession of duplicate keys is the best defense against costly replacements.
Cutting your car keys at a car repair shop like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. But not all hardware stores or locksmith shops offer key duplication or programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at some moment, and when that happens, it can be a real hiccup in your day, leaving you unable to get into your home or car. Many people opt to have spare keys cut rather than changing their locks entirely. This is faster and less expensive, as well as more practical.
Key cutting is the process of making duplicates of keys using a specific machine. This process is carried out to ensure that the new key is identical to the original in both design and function which makes it impossible for anyone other than you to gain access to your home using an imitation.
Many hardware stores and big box stores have a key-cutting station where to get car keys cut you can have copies made in just a few minutes by a trained employee. These kiosks typically use keys that have the same style as your current key, but they also can make copies of more intricate keys such as car or home security keys.
Unlike traditional key cutting, which relies on mechanical tools the latest technology in key duplication uses lasers to precisely replicate the unique markings of the original key onto a blank piece of. This is known as key-by-photo, and is revolutionizing the method of key duplication by reducing costs and time.
Modern electronic keys, such as those used to control car lock systems or security access points, come with additional components that need to be programmed to function properly. These additional components such as the transponder chip found in keys for vehicles and the embedded microchip that is found in a few home security keys communicate with their respective systems, requiring specific equipment.
Key cutting can be a great way to get an extra key quickly and easily, but you should always seek professional assistance when you require one. It is not advisable to choose any locksmith. Instead, you should select a reputable company with a team of professionals who have undergone rigorous training in dealing with various locks and locking systems. It is also important to find locksmiths who provide emergency services. They will be able help you out in the event of a lockout accident.
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 could be used to gain access to a house or car, or any other secure location if someone has locked themselves outside.
A professional can utilize either the tracing or punching method to duplicate a 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 impression. This imprint can be used by a key cutter to make a replica of the original identical in size and shape.
Another option is to employ a pattern grinder which takes the key and then grinds it until a flat surface remains on one side of the blade, and the grooves and notches disappear on the other side. This allows for easier inserting the key into locks. Finally, a key can be cut with punch machines. A punch machine will take the key and measure the depth of each notch. The machine applies a blade on the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. The machines can be manual or electric and can be programmed to work with a variety of keys. This means that there is no need for a specialist.
Laser cutting is a newer technique for cutting keys that is used in certain places. Instead of grinding the keys down to the right dimensions the laser is used to remove material from the side of the key. The result is keys that look like an asymmetrical blade that provides greater protection against bump keys as well as other types of test keys.
A key cutting service is 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. The service cannot create replacements for smarter keys that require special programming, which is typically reserved for manufacturers and car dealerships.
Key Cutting Equipment
If a person wants to have their keys cut, it’s essential to select the correct key cutting machine. There are a myriad of key cutting machines. Some factors that may affect a person’s choice include the type and size of the key, Get a Car Key Cut if they want an electric or automated machine, as well as the amount they’d like to spend. The type of machine they select can also influence the quality of their work as well as how accurate it is.
The majority of key cutting machines operate by tracing the profile of one key to cut new ones. This can be done manually or with a manual machine, but it can also be done with a laser or code. These machines require a code that tells them where to put the key’s notch. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from the database.
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 machines are expensive, but can offer a greater range of services.
A kit that includes the machine and the tools required to operate it is a different option. These kits are typically cheaper than purchasing the tools individually and are a great investment for anyone who wishes to start a business of cutting keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that has been designed to be user-friendly. Its touchscreen tablet that is removable allows users to access a large range of keys, and provides step-by-step directions for duplicates and cutting them. It also comes with a built-in accessory tray and LED lights that indicate the its status, according to Ilco. Futura Pro is able to cut and decode a variety of keys that include dimples. It is able to be fitted with clamps that can be used to handle flat household keys and Tibbe keys, as well as cruciform keys.
Key to reducing Cost
Modern car keys are more than just a piece of metal. They are equipped with a transponder chip which is programmed to your vehicle and require specialized 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 access it in the event of a lockout.
If you decide to have your car key cut car key it’s crucial to understand the difference between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem similar, key cutting is making a new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing one. Knowing the type of service you require will save you time and money over the long run.
Mechanical key duplication is a more traditional method of creating a spare car key and it requires the key cutting machine to trace the original contours onto a blank key. This method is cheaper than other methods for making a replacement car key, but it can be risky when the key isn’t correctly made or the key blank isn’t of high-quality. If the keys are not cut properly, they could harm the lock’s cylinder, and cause the key to stop working.
Laser key cutting is more advanced and requires a special key-cutting machine. These machines can make a laser groove on both the flat and round sides of the key which allows them to fit into the lock cylinder facing in any way while still functioning. They are commonly referred to as sidewinder keys, and are more effective in protecting against theft than standard keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys because they are more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
AutoZone’s associates will use an instrument that can duplicate your car key using the appropriate blank for your car’s year and make. We offer a wide selection of transponder key options, Get a Car Key Cut so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your vehicle. We can assist you in programming the key to your car, if needed, and at a fraction of much as you would pay at dealers.