How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be expensive to replace, especially when you lose the only one. The possession of duplicate keys is the best way to avoid expensive replacements.
You can save money by having your car keys cut at a car dealer like AutoZone instead of a dealership. However, not all locksmith or hardware shops offer key duplication or programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everyone loses their keys at some point. This could be a huge inconvenience since you're unable to get into your vehicle or go to your home. A majority of people prefer to have extra keys made rather than replacing their locks. This process is faster, cheaper, and more convenient.
Key cutting is a technique that involves replicating an original key onto an uncut key, by using a special machine. This is done in order to ensure that the key matches the original both in form and function.
A lot of hardware stores or big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk that you can have a copy made by trained employees in a matter of minutes. These kiosks use keys that are blank and exactly like your existing key. They can also make copies of keys with more complicated designs, like keys for car keys or home security.
The latest technology for key replication utilizes lasers instead of mechanical tools that can precisely duplicate the unique markings on the original key onto a blank. It is called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the way key duplication services work by reducing time and costs.
Modern electronic keys, such as those used to control car lock systems, or security access points, come with additional components that must be programmed in order to function properly. 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 fit into and require special equipment to duplicate properly.
If you require an extra key, cutting it is a simple and quick way to get one. However you should always seek advice from a professional. Not all locksmiths are created to be the same, so you must seek out a reputable business with a committed team of experts who have completed rigorous training to handle different locks and locking mechanisms. It is also essential to locate locksmiths who offer emergency services, since they can help in the event of an accidental lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting is a method of making of spare keys, which will prevent damage to original keys and reduce the overall wear and wear and tear. A spare key can be used to gain access to a home or car, or any other secure location if someone is locked out.
Professionals can employ either the punching or tracing method to duplicate keys. The method of tracing involves heating the tip of the key until it turns black, and then pressing it against the sticky surface of an uncut piece of tape. This leaves an imprint. A key cutter can then use this imprint to cut away creating a copy that is exactly the same in shape and size to the original.
Another common method is to make use of a pattern grinder that takes the original key and grinds it until a smooth surface remains on one end of the blade, and the grooves and notches are removed on the other side. This makes the key easier to fit into locks. Additionally, keys can be cut with punch machines. A punch machine is able to take the key and determines the depth of each notch. cost to get a key cut forces a blade on the key and then cuts each notch to the required depth. The machines can be 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 also being used in some locations, referred to as laser cutting. Instead of grinding the keys to the correct dimensions using a laser, it is used to remove material from the side of the key. The result is keys that look like an asymmetrical blade that provides greater protection against bump keys as well as other kinds of test keys.
A key cutting service is also able to design replacement keys for electronic fobs. The key fobs are equipped with an embedded chip which communicates with the immobilizer system of a vehicle or locks. The service cannot make replacement keys for smarter keys that require specialized programming, which is typically reserved for manufacturers and dealerships of cars.
Key Cutting Equipment
If someone needs their keys cut, it's essential to select the correct key cutting machine. There are a myriad of key cutting machines. The factors that can affect a person's choice include the size and type of the key, whether they prefer an automatic or electric machine, and the amount they'd like to spend. The tool they select will also impact the quality of their work as well as the accuracy of it.
Most key cutting machines trace the outline of a key in order to create a new key. This can be done by hand or using a machine that is manual however, it could be accomplished using the use of a laser machine or code. These machines require a code that tells them where to place the key's notch. A code can be entered into the machine manually or downloaded from databases.
There are a few machines that can cut both cylinder and mortice locks. Dual key cutters are readily available and can cut locksmiths' time by cutting both types of locks at the same time. They are expensive however, they offer a wider variety of services.
Another option is to purchase an entire kit that includes the cutting machine and tools needed to operate it. motorcycle key cutting are typically less expensive than purchasing individual tools separately, and can be an excellent investment for those who wants to start an enterprise that cuts keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. Its removable 10-inch touchscreen tablet lets users access a wide range of keys and provides steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting them. Ilco states that the machine has an accessory tray built-in and LED lights that indicate its state. Futura Pro is able to decode and cut many different keys including dimples. It is equipped with optional clamps to handle keys for household use and Tibbe keys as well as cruciform keys.
Key to reducing Cost
Modern car keys are more than just a piece made of metal. They contain transponder chip that is programmed to your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. They are more costly to replace in the event they get lost or stolen. This is why it's always a good idea to invest in a spare key, so you'll have something to turn to in case you're stuck.
When you choose to have your car keys cut, it's crucial to understand the distinction between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem like they are similar, key cutting involves making a new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing the type of service you require will save you time and money in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication is a traditional method of creating a spare car key, and it requires an instrument to trace the original contours of a blank key. This method is more affordable than others, but can be risky when the key is not made correctly or the blank is of poor quality. A poorly cut key could cause damage to the lock and prevent the key from working.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting device that is specialized. These machines can create laser grooves on both flat sides of the key, which allows them to be inserted into the lock cylinder facing in any way while still functioning. These are commonly referred to as sidewinder keys, and are more effective in stopping theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive than standard keys because they are more complex and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
At AutoZone the associate will choose the right key blank for your year, year of manufacture, and model and use a special cutting machine to duplicate your previous car key. We offer a variety of transponder keys, which means you can be sure to find the correct one for your car. We can assist you with programming the key to your car, if needed, and at a fraction of price as you would at dealers.