How to Get a Car Key Cut
It is costly to replace your car keys, particularly when it's the only one you have. Having duplicate keys is the best way to avoid costly replacements.
Having your car key cut at a car repair shop like AutoZone will save you money over the dealership. There aren't all locksmith or hardware shops provide key duplication and programming.
What is Key Cutting?
Everyone loses their keys at some moment. This could be a major inconvenience, as you are unable to access your vehicle or home. The majority of people prefer having spare keys cut instead of changing their locks entirely. This is faster and less expensive, as well as more convenient.
Key cutting is the process of making duplicates of a key using a special machine. This is done to make sure that the key matches the original both in form and function.
Many hardware stores and big box stores offer a key-cutting station where you can have a copy made in minutes by a skilled worker. These kiosks typically use keys with the same style as your current key, but they can also make copies of more intricate keys like keys for your car or home security.
In contrast to traditional key cutting which is a process that uses mechanical tools, the latest technology in key duplication uses lasers to precisely duplicate the original key's unique markings onto a blank key. This is called key by photo and is revolutionising the way that key duplication services work by drastically reducing the time and cost involved.
Modern electronic keys, such as keys used to control car lock systems or security access points, have additional components that must be programmed in order to function correctly. These additional components, like a transponder chip on vehicle keys or an embedded microchip in a few home security keys, communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into and require special equipment to duplicate correctly.
Key cutting is an excellent way to obtain a spare 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 been through rigorous training to deal with various locks and locking systems. It is also essential to locate locksmiths that offer emergency services, as they'll be able to assist in the event of an accidental lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This helps to prevent damage to the original keys and decreases wear and tear. A spare key can also be used when one is locked out of their car, home or any other secure location as it can allow them to gain entry without the need for a locksmith.
To duplicate a key, a professional could either use the tracing or punch method of duplication. The method of tracing involves heating the edge of the key until it turns black, then pressing it against the sticky side of an uncut piece of tape. This creates an imprint. Key cutters can utilize this imprint to cut around creating a copy that is identical in size and shape to the original.
Another method is to use a pattern grinder, which takes the key and grinds it down until a smooth surface remains on one side of the blade. The grooves and notches disappear at the other end. 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 forces a blade on the key and then cuts each notch at the required depth. These machines can be manual or electric, and can be programmed to work with different keys, reducing the requirement for a specialist to be present.
A newer form of key cutting technique is being utilized in a few places, which is known as laser cutting. 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 the keys looking similar to a serrated blade, which provides more protection against bump keys as well as other kinds of keys for tryouts.
A key cutting service is also able of creating replacement keys for electronic fobs. These key fobs have an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer system of a car or locks. However the service isn't capable of creating replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming often reserved for dealerships and automobile manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is important to choose the right machine to cut keys when you need your keys cut. There are many types of key cutting machines. The factors that can influence a person's decision are the type and size of the key, whether they want an electric or automatic machine, and the amount they want spend. The machine they select can also affect the quality and precision of their work.
Most key cutting machines trace the contour of an existing key to create the new key. This can be done by hand or using a manual machine however, it could also be done with a laser or code. 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 the database.
There are also a number of machines available that can cut mortice as well as cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are also available and can help locksmiths save time by cutting both types of locks at the same time. They are expensive however they can provide a wider variety of services.
Another alternative is to buy an entire kit that includes the cutting machine and tools required to operate it. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing the tools individually, and can be an excellent investment for someone looking to start an enterprise that cuts keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine designed to be user-friendly. Its touchscreen tablet that is removable allows users to access a broad range of keys and provides steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting them. The machine also has an accessory tray that is built-in, as well as LED lights to indicate its status, according to Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys that include dimple keys. It is able to be fitted with clamps for handling keys for household use and Tibbe keys as well as cruciform key.
Key Cutting Cost
Modern car keys are more than a mere piece of metal. They are equipped with a transponder chip which is programmed to your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. This makes them more expensive to replace if they are stolen or lost. It's always recommended to keep a spare key so that you can use it in the event of an emergency lockout.
It's important to know the difference between duplication and cutting when you decide to have your car keys cut. While they might appear identical, duplication is the act of copying a key. Knowing the service you require will save your time and money in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, involves using an instrument for cutting keys to trace original contours onto a blank key. This method is less expensive than others, but can be risky when the key is not made properly or the blank is of poor quality. If the keys are not cut properly, they could damage the lock cylinder and cause your key to stop working.
Laser key cut ting is more sophisticated and requires a specialized key-cutting machine. These machines can create laser grooves on the flat side of the key and allow it to fit into the lock-cylinder either way. They are commonly referred to as sidewinder keys, and are more effective in protecting against theft than standard keys. These keys are also more expensive because they're more complex and difficult to find in hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates will employ an instrument that can duplicate your car key using the correct blank for your vehicle's year and make. We offer a variety of transponder keys, which means you can be sure to get the right one for your car. We can even help you connect it to your car if necessary, at only a fraction of the price that you would pay at the dealership.