How to Get a Car Key Cut

Car keys can be costly to replace, particularly when you lose the only one. Duplicate keys are the most effective way to avoid expensive replacements.

Having your car key cut at a car repair shop like AutoZone will save you money over going to the dealer. However, not all locksmith or hardware shops offer key duplication and cut programming services.

What is Key Cutting?

Everyone loses their keys at some time. This could be a huge inconvenience as you are unable to get into your vehicle or home. Most people choose to have spare keys cut rather than changing their locks entirely. This process is quicker and cheaper as well as more practical.

Key cutting is a method that involves replicating an original key onto an uncut key, by using a special machine. This process is carried out to ensure that the new key is identical to the original in form and function, making it impossible for anyone other than you to gain access to your property with an imitation.

A lot of hardware stores or big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk where you can get a copy created by skilled workers within a matter of minutes. These kiosks typically use a key blank that has 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 cut for car duplication makes use of lasers to precisely replicate the key's unique markings on a blank key. This is known as key-by-photo, and it revolutionises the way key duplication services work by reducing time and costs.

Modern electronic keys, like ones used to control the security of car locks or access points, contain additional components that must be programmed in order to function properly. These additional components, like the transponder chip found in car keys or an embedded microchip in some home security keys, communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into, and they require specialised equipment to duplicate correctly.

Key cutting is the best way to get a spare key quickly and easily, but it is important to seek professional help when you need one. There are many locksmiths that are not equally, so look for a reputable company with a dedicated team of highly skilled professionals who have undergone rigorous training to deal with different locking mechanisms and locks. You should also seek out a locksmith who offers emergency services. They will be able to provide assistance in case of an accident lockout.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting allows for the making of spare keys, which will prevent damage to original keys and reduce the overall wear and wear and. A spare key can also be used to gain access to a home or car, or any other safe location if someone is locked out.

A professional can utilize either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key. The tracing method involves heating the end of the key until it is black, and then pressing it against the sticky side of an uncut piece of tape. This leaves an imprint. A key cutter can then make use of this imprint to cut around, making a copy that is exactly the same in dimensions and shape to the original.

A pattern grinder is a different common method. It is used to grind the original key until it has a smooth surface at one side, with grooves and notches removed from the other. This allows the key to fit into locks. Additionally, keys can be cut with punch machines, which takes the key and measures the depth of each notch. The device then pushes an edge down on the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. These machines are either manual or electric, and can be programmed to work with different keys, reducing the requirement for a specialist to be present.

A newer kind of key cutting technique is being used in some places, which is known as laser cutting. Instead of grinding down the keys to create the correct dimensions the laser is used to cut away material from the sides of the key. The keys resemble the serrated knife and are more resistant to bumps and other types.

A key cutting service can also make replacement keys for electronic key fobs, with an embedded chip that connects to the immobilizer of a lock or vehicle's system. However, the service cannot create replacements for more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming often reserved for dealerships and car manufacturers.

Key Cutting Equipment

If someone needs their keys cut, it is important to find the right key cutting machine. There are a myriad of key cutting machines. Some factors that may influence a person's decision are the type and size of the key, whether they prefer an automatic or electric machine, and how much they'd like to spend. The machine they choose can also affect the quality and accuracy of their work.

Most key cutting machines work by tracing the contour of one key to cut another one. This can be done by hand or with a manual machine. It can also be done with a laser or code machine. These machines require a code to tell them where to place the key's notch. The code can be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from a database.

There are also a range of machines available that can cut both mortice and cylinder locks. They are commonly referred to as dual key cutters and can save a locksmith time by allowing them to cut both types of locks on the same machine. These are costly, however they can provide a wider range of services.

Another alternative is to buy a set that contains the cutting machine and the tools required to operate it. These kits are typically cheaper than buying tools on their own and are a great investment for anyone who wishes to venture into the business of cutting keys.

The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. Its 10-inch touchscreen tablet allows users to access a large variety of keys and offers steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting them. Ilco says the machine has an accessory tray that is integrated as well as LED lights that indicate its current status. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys that include dimple keys. It also comes with clamps that can be used to handle flat household and Tibbe keys as well as Cruciform keys.

Key Cutting Cost

Modern car keys are much more than a mere piece of metal. They are equipped with transponder chips which must be programmed to work with your car and require specialized cutting machinery. This makes them more expensive to replace in the event that they are lost or stolen. This is why it's always a good idea to purchase an extra key so that you have something to go to in the event that you find yourself in a pinch.

If you're considering having your car key cut, it's crucial to understand the difference between key cutting and duplication. Although they may appear similar, key cutting involves creating a new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing which one you require will save you time and money in the long run.

Mechanical key duplication is a more traditional method of creating an extra car key and it involves using a key cutting machine to trace the original contours of a blank key. This method is cheaper than other methods of creating a replacement car key however it could be risky when the key isn't correctly created or the key blank isn't of high-quality. Insufficiently-cut keys can damage the lock cylinder and cause your key to stop functioning.

Laser key cutting is more sophisticated and requires a special key-cutting machine. These machines can cut an optical groove on both the flat and round sides of the key which allows them to fit into the lock cylinder in either way and still function. These are commonly referred to as sidewinder keys, and are more effective in stopping theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive because they're more complex and difficult to locate in hardware stores.

At AutoZone our associates will select the correct key blank for your year, make and model, and then use an exclusive cutting machine to duplicate your old car key. We offer a variety of transponder keys, so you're sure to find the correct one for your car. We can assist you in programming the key to your car, if required and at a fraction of price as you would at dealers.