How to Get a Car Key Cut

Car keys can be costly to replace, especially when you lose the only one. The possession of duplicate keys is the best way to avoid costly replacements.

You can save money by cutting your car keys at an automotive retailer like AutoZone instead of a dealership. However, not all hardware stores or locksmith shops offer key duplication or programming services.

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses keys at one moment, and when that occurs, it could be an extremely stressful day, leaving you unable to gain access to your car or home. Most people choose to have spare keys cut rather than changing their locks completely. This is a quicker, cheaper and more convenient process.

Key cutting is the process of duplicating keys using a specific machine. This is done to ensure that the key is identical to the original in both shape and function.

Many hardware stores and big box stores provide the option of a key-cutting station, where you can have copies made in just a few minutes by a trained worker. These kiosks use an uncut key that is the same as your existing key. They also can make copies of keys with more complicated designs, like car keys or home security keys.

The latest technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to accurately duplicate the unique markings on the original key onto a blank one. This is known as key-by-photo, and revolutionizes the process of key duplication by reducing costs and time.

Modern electronic keys, such as ones used to control the security of car locks or access points, come with additional components that must be programmed in order to work correctly. These additional components, like a transponder chip on vehicle keys or an embedded microchip in some security keys for homes, communicate with the system they're designed to fit into and require special equipment to duplicate correctly.

Key cutting can be a great way to get keys cut a spare key quickly and easily, however you should always seek out professional assistance when you require it. Not all locksmiths are created to be the same, so you must choose a reputable firm with a team of highly skilled professionals who have completed rigorous training to handle various locking mechanisms and locks. You should also look for locksmiths who provide emergency services. They can provide assistance in case of a lockout accident.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This can prevent damage to the original keys and reduces wear and tear. A spare key can be used to gain access to a home or vehicle, or another safe location if someone is locked out.

Professionals can employ either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key. The method of tracing involves heating the end of the key until it turns black, and then pressing it against the sticky side of an uncut piece of tape. This creates an impression. Key cutters can make use of this imprint to cut it away, making a copy that is the same dimensions and shape to the original.

A pattern grinder is another popular method. It is used to grind the original key until it has a smooth surface at one end and grooves and notches removed from the other. This makes it easier to be fitted into locks. In addition, a key can be cut with punch machines, which takes the key and measures the depth of each notch. The machine forces a blade on the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. These machines can either be electric or manual, and can be programmed to work with a variety of keys. This reduces the need for a specialist.

Laser cutting is a modern technique for cutting keys that is used in specific locations. Instead of grinding keys to get the proper dimensions using a laser, it is used to remove material from the sides of the key. The keys look like an elongated knife, and are more resistant to bump keys and other kinds of keys.

Key cutting services are also able of creating replacement keys for electronic fobs. The key fobs are equipped with an embedded chip which communicates with the immobilizer systems of a vehicle or lock. However the service isn't capable of creating replacements for more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming that is typically reserved for dealerships and automobile manufacturers.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is crucial to select the correct key-cutting machine for a person needs their keys cut. There are a variety of key cutting machines. Some factors that may affect a person's choice include the type and size of the key, whether they prefer an electric or automatic machine, and the amount they'd like to spend. The machine they select will also influence the quality and precision of their work.

Most key cutting machines work by tracing the shape of a key in order to cut another one. This can be done manually or with a manual machine but it can be accomplished using a laser or code. These machines require a code to tell them where to put the key's notch. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from databases.

There are also a number of machines that can cut both mortice and cylinder locks. These are sometimes referred to as dual key cutters. They can reduce the time a locksmith spends by allowing them to cut both types of locks with the same machine. These are costly, but can offer a greater range of services.

A kit that includes the machine and the tools required to operate it is another option. These kits are typically cheaper than buying tools on their own and can be a good investment for someone who wants to start a business of cutting keys.

The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine designed to be user-friendly. The touchscreen is removable and lets users access a variety of keys, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. The machine also has a built-in accessory tray and LED lights that indicate the status, according to Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys that include dimple keys. It is equipped with clamps that can be used to handle flat household keys as well as Tibbe keys, as well as cruciform key.

Key Cutting Costs

Modern keys for cars are more just a piece made of metal. They contain transponder chips that need to be programmed to work with your vehicle and require cutting machines that are specialized. They are more expensive to replace in the event they get lost or stolen. It's always recommended to keep a spare key in case you can use it in the case of a lockout.

It's important to know the distinction between duplication and key cutting before you decide to have your car keys cut. While they may seem similar, key cutting involves making a new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing what service you need will save your time and money over the long run.

Mechanical key duplication, a traditional method of making spare keys for cars, involves using the key-cutting machine to trace the original contours onto the blank key. This method is more affordable than others, but could be risky if the key isn't made properly or the key is not of good quality. Insufficiently-cut key can cause damage to the lock and prevent the key from working.

Laser key cutting is more sophisticated and requires a specialist key-cutting machine. These machines can cut laser grooves on the flat side of the key and permit it to fit into the lock-cylinder either way. These keys are also known as sidewinder and are more effective in preventing theft than regular keys. They are also more expensive due to the fact that they are more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates will use an exclusive machine to duplicate your car key using the right blank for your vehicle's year and make. We offer a variety of transponder keys, so you're sure to get the right one for your vehicle. We can help you program the key to your car, if you require it and at a fraction as much as you would pay at dealers.