How to Get key cutting services Cut
It can be costly to replace your car keys, particularly when it's the only one you have. Duplicate keys are a great method to avoid costly replacements.
Cutting your car keys at a car repair shop like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. Not all hardware or locksmith shops provide key duplication and programming.
What is Key Cutting?
Everyone loses their keys at some point. This could be a major hassle because you're unable access your vehicle or go to your home. The majority of people prefer having spare keys cut instead of changing their locks entirely. This is faster and cheaper as well as more convenient.
Key cutting is the process of creating keys using a specific machine. This is done to ensure that the new key matches the original in shape and function which makes it impossible for someone else to access your home using an imitation.
Many hardware stores and big box stores have an area for cutting keys where you can have an exact copy of your key made in a matter of minutes by a trained employee. The kiosks typically make use of keys with the same design as your existing key, however, they can also cut copies of more intricate keys, such as car or home security keys.
Unlike traditional key cutting, which is a process that uses mechanical tools, the latest technology in key duplication makes use of lasers to precisely replicate the original key's unique markings onto a blank key. This is referred to as key by photo and is changing the way key duplication services work by significantly reducing the time and expense involved.
Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems, or security access points, have additional components which must be programmed properly. These additional components, such as a transponder chip in vehicle keys or an embedded microchip in some home security keys communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into and require specialized equipment to duplicate properly.
Key cutting is a great way to get an extra key quickly and easily, however it is important to seek professional assistance when you require it. Not all locksmiths are created to be the same, so you must seek out a reputable business with a dedicated team of experts who have been through rigorous training to handle different locks and locking mechanisms. You should also seek out locksmiths that provide emergency services. They can assist you in the event of an accident lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This prevents damage to the original keys, and also reduces wear and wear and tear. A spare key can also be used to gain access to your home or vehicle, or another safe place if a person has locked themselves outside.
A professional can utilize either the tracing or punching method to duplicate keys. With the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it turns black, and then pressed against the sticky side of the clear tape to leave an imprint. Key cutters can utilize this imprint to cut around the original key, creating a copy which is identical in shape and size to the original.
A pattern grinder is another commonly used method. It grinds the original key until it has a smooth surface at one end and grooves and notches removed from the other. This allows the key to fit into locks. Finally, Read the Full Guide can be cut using punch machines. A punch machine takes the key and measures the depth of each notch. The device then pushes a blade down onto the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. These machines can be manual or electric and can be programmed to work with different keys, eliminating the requirement for a specialist to be present.
A newer form of key cutting technique is being utilized in certain locations, and is referred to as laser cutting. Instead of grinding keys down to the correct dimensions, the laser is used remove the material from the side of the key. The keys look like the serrated knife and are more resistant to bumps and other types.
Key cutting services can create replacement keys for electronic key fobs that have an embedded chip that connects to the immobilizer of a lock or vehicle's system. The service cannot create replacement keys for smarter keys that require specialized programming, which is normally reserved for car dealerships and manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is important to choose the right key-cutting machine when someone needs their keys cut. There are a myriad of models however, some elements that could affect a person's choice include the kind of key they require and whether or not they prefer to use an automatic or electric machine and how much they are willing to spend. The machine they select can also affect the quality and accuracy of their work.
The majority of key cutting machines work by tracing the profile of one key to cut another one. This can be done manually or using a manual machine. It can also be done using a laser or a code machine. These machines require a code to inform them where to put the notch on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from the database.
There are a few machines that can cut both cylinder and mortice locks. Dual key cutters are readily available and can save locksmiths time by cutting both locks simultaneously. They can be expensive 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 another option. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing individual tools, and can be an excellent investment for those planning to launch an enterprise that cuts keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. The removable 10-inch touchscreen lets users access a variety of keys, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. It also comes with an accessory tray built-in and LED lights to indicate its status, according to Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys including dimple keys. It also comes with clamps that can be used to handle the flat household keys and Tibbe keys, as being cruciform keys.
Key Cutting Costs
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 means they are more expensive to replace if they get stolen or lost. It is a good idea to have an extra key so that you have something to turn to in case you're in a bind.
It's important to know the difference between duplication and key cutting when you decide to get your car keys cut. While they might appear identical, duplication is the process of copying an existing key. Knowing what service you need will save your time and money in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, which is a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, involves using the key-cutting machine to trace the original contours on a blank key. This method is less expensive than others, but can be risky when the key isn't created correctly or the key is not of good quality. A poorly cut key could harm the lock and prevent the key from working.
Laser key cutting is more advanced and requires a specialized key-cutting machine. These machines can make laser grooves on both the flat and round sides of the key, which allows them to fit into the lock cylinder in either way while still functioning. They are commonly called sidewinder keys and are more effective in stopping theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive since they're more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates use an exclusive machine to duplicate your car key using the correct blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. 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 even assist you to program it to your vehicle in case you need to, at a fraction of the cost that you would pay at an auto dealer.