How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be costly to replace, particularly when you lose the only one. A backup key is the best defense against expensive replacements.
The cutting of your car's key at an auto shop like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. Not all hardware or locksmith establishments offer key duplication or programming.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at one moment, and when that occurs, it could be an absolute hiccup in your day, leaving you unable to access your home or car. Most people choose to have spare keys cut rather than changing their locks entirely. This is a quicker and less expensive process.
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 in line with the original in both form and function and makes it impossible for someone other than you to gain access to your property using an imitation.
Many hardware stores and big box stores offer the option of a key-cutting station, where you can get an exact copy of your key made in a matter of minutes by a skilled worker. These kiosks usually use keys that have the identical design as your current key, however, they can also make copies of more complicated keys such as keys for your car or home security.
The most advanced technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to accurately duplicate the unique markings of the original key onto a blank. It's called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the method of key duplication by reducing the cost and time.
Modern electronic keys, like ones used to control the security of car locks or access points, contain additional components that need to be programmed to function properly. These other components, such as 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 properly.
Key cutting is an excellent way to obtain a spare key quickly and easily, but you should always seek out professional help when you need one. You should not settle for any locksmith. Instead, select a reputable company with a team of experts who have undergone rigorous training in dealing with various locks and locking systems. It is also essential to locate a locksmith that offers emergency services as they can provide assistance in the event of an accident that causes a lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This prevents damage to the original keys and decreases wear and tear. A spare key can also be used when someone is locked out of their home, car or any other secure location because it allows the person to gain entry without the need for locksmith.
To duplicate a key, a professional could either use the tracing or punch method of duplication. When using the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it becomes black, then it is pressed against the sticky side of the clear tape to leave an imprint. A key cutter will use this imprint to cut away the original key, creating a copy which is exactly the same in shape and size to the original.
Another option is to use a pattern grinder, which takes the key and grinds it down until a flat surface remains on one end of the blade and the grooves and notches are removed at the other end. This makes it easier to insert the key into locks. A key can also be cut using punching machines that measure the depth of the notch. The device forces an edge onto the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. The machines can be manual or electric and can be programmed to work with various keys. This means that there is no need for an expert.
A newer type of key cutting technique is also being used in some locations, and is referred to as laser cutting. Instead of grinding the keys to create the right dimensions using a laser, it is used to remove the material from the sides of the key. This results in keys that look like a serrated blade which offers more protection against bump keys as well as other kinds of tryout keys.
Key cutting services are also able to create replacement keys for electronic fobs. These key fobs have an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer systems of a vehicle or locks. However the service cannot make replacements for more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming usually reserved for dealerships or car manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
When a person gets their keys cut, it's important to find the right key cutting machine. There are a myriad of models however, some elements that could influence a person's decision include the type of key they need as well as whether or not they prefer to use an automated or electric machine and how much money they want to spend. The type of machine they select can also affect the quality of their work as well as the accuracy of it.
The majority of key cutting machines trace the outline of a key in order to create an entirely new key. This can be done by hand or using a manual machine. It could also be done using a laser or a code machine. These machines typically require codes that tell the machine where to place the notches on the new key. A code can be entered manually into the machine or downloaded from databases.
There are a few machines that can cut both cylinder and mortice locks. Dual key cutters are available and can save locksmiths time by cutting both types of locks simultaneously. key cutting car are expensive, however they can provide a wider range of services.
A kit that includes the machine as well as the tools needed to operate it is a different option. These kits are typically less expensive than purchasing individual tools separately and are a great investment for someone who wants to venture into the business of cutting keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. key car cutting -inch touchscreen tablet allows users to access a large range of keys and provides step-by-step instructions for duplicating and cutting them. The machine also has an accessory tray that is built-in, as well as LED lights that indicate the status, according to Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a wide range of keys that include dimple keys. 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 Cutting Cost
Modern car keys are more than just a piece of metal. key car cutting contain transponder chips that need to be programmed to work with your car, and they require specialized cutting machinery. They are more costly to replace in the event that they are lost or taken. It's always an excellent idea to have a spare key in case you can use it in the situation of a lockout.
If you're considering having your car keys cut, it's crucial to understand the difference between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem similar, key cutting involves creating a new key from scratch while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing what service you need will save your time and money in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of making spare keys for cars, uses the key-cutting machine to trace the original contours on a blank key. This method is more affordable than other options, but it is risky if the key isn't made correctly or the key is not of good quality. If the key is not cut properly, it could cause damage to the lock and prevent your key from working.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting machine that is specifically designed. These machines can cut an optical groove on the flat side of the key and allow it to fit into the lock-cylinder in either direction. These keys are also referred to as sidewinder and are more effective at protecting against theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive because they're more complex and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates use an instrument that can duplicate your car key using the appropriate blank for your car's year and make. We have a variety of transponder key options, so you are sure to find the perfect one for your vehicle. We can assist you with programming the key to your car, if needed and for a fraction of the cost price as you would at the dealer.