How to Get a Car Key Cut
It's expensive to replace your car keys, especially if it is the only one you have. Duplicate keys are the most effective method to avoid costly replacements.
You can save money by cutting your car keys at an automotive retailer like AutoZone instead of an auto dealer. Not all hardware or locksmith shops provide key duplication and programming.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at some moment, and when that occurs, it can cause an absolute hiccup in your day, causing you to be unable to access your car or home. Many people opt to have spare keys cut instead of changing their locks entirely. This process is quicker and less expensive, as well as more efficient.
Key cutting is a method that involves duplicating an original key on an uncut key, with a specially-designed machine. This is done in order to ensure that the key matches the original in both shape and function.
Many hardware stores and big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk where you can obtain a duplicate created by skilled workers in just a few minutes. These kiosks typically use a key blank that has the identical design as your current key, however, they can also cut copies of more complicated keys, such as car or home security keys.
The latest technology for key replication makes use of lasers instead of mechanical tools to precisely duplicate the unique markings on the original key onto a blank one. This is called key by photo and is revolutionising the way that key duplication services function by drastically reducing the time and expense involved.
Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems or security access points have additional components that must be programmed to work properly. These additional components like the transponder chip that is found in keys for vehicles and the embedded microchip in some home security key communicate with their respective systems, requiring special equipment.
When you need an extra key, cutting it is a fast and simple method of getting one. However it is recommended to consult an expert. Not all locksmiths are created equal, and you should choose a reputable firm with a committed team of highly skilled professionals who have undergone rigorous training to handle different locks and locking mechanisms. It is also essential to find locksmiths that offer 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 helps to prevent damage to the original keys and decreases wear and wear and tear. A spare key can also be used in the event that one is locked out of their car, home or any other safe place as it can allow them to gain access without the need for locksmith.
To create a duplicate key, a professional could either use the tracing or punch method of duplication. With the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it becomes black, and then it is pressed against the sticky side of a piece clear tape to leave an imprint. g28carkeys.co.uk can make use of this imprint to cut it away creating a copy that is the same dimensions and shape to the original.
Another option is to employ a pattern grinder which takes the key and then grinds it until a smooth surface remains on one side of the blade, and the grooves and notches are gone on the other side. This allows you to insert the key into locks. Finally, a key can be cut with punch machines, which takes the key and measures the depth of each notch. A device then forces a blade to the key and cuts each notch to the desired depth. These machines can be manual or electric, and can be programmed for different keys, eliminating the requirement for a specialist to be present.
Laser cutting is a newer method of cutting keys, which is employed in a few locations. Instead of grinding the keys down to the right dimensions, the laser is used remove the material from the side of the key. The keys resemble the serrated knife and are more resistant to bumps and other kinds of keys.
Key cutting services are also able to design replacement keys for electronic fobs. These key fobs have an embedded chip which communicates with the immobilizer system of a car or lock. The service is not able to create replacement keys for smarter keys that require specialized programming, which is normally reserved for car dealerships and manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
If someone needs their keys cut, it is essential to select the correct key cutting machine. There are a variety of types, but some factors that affect a person's choice include the type of key they require as well as whether or not they wish to use an automated or electric machine and how much they are willing to spend. The tool they select will also affect the quality of their work and how accurate it is.
Most key cutting machines trace the outline of a key in order to create a new key. This can be done manually or with a manual machine, but it can also be done using a laser or code. These machines typically require codes that tell the machine where to put the notches on the new key. A code can be entered into the machine manually, or it can be downloaded from the database.
There are several machines that can cut mortice and cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are readily available and can help locksmiths save time by cutting both types of locks simultaneously. These machines are expensive, however they can provide a wider range of services.
Another alternative is to buy an entire kit that includes the cutting machine and tools required to operate it. These kits are typically cheaper than purchasing individual tools separately and can be an excellent investment for anyone who wants to start an operation that cuts keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, is designed to be simple to use. Its 10-inch touchscreen tablet allows users to access a large range of keys, and provides step-by-step instructions for duplicating and cutting the keys. Ilco says the machine has an accessory tray built-in as well as LED lights that indicate its status. Futura Pro is able to decode and cut many different keys, including dimples. It is able to be fitted with optional clamps to handle flat household keys as well as Tibbe keys as well as cruciform key.
Key to reducing Cost
Modern keys for cars are more just a piece of metal. They have transponder chips that require programming to work with your car and require cutting machines that are specialized. This means they are more expensive to replace if they get stolen or lost. It's always an excellent idea to have an extra key in case you can use it in the situation of an emergency lockout.
It's crucial to know the difference between duplication and key cutting when you decide to have your car keys cut. While they may seem similar, duplication is the process of copying an existing key. Knowing the service you require will save your time and money in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication is the more traditional method of creating an extra car key and it involves using an instrument to trace the original contours on the blank key. This method is cheaper than other options, but it is risky if the key isn't made correctly or the key is not of good quality. Insufficiently-cut keys can damage the lock cylinder and cause the key to stop functioning.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting device that is specially designed. These machines can create an optical groove on the flat side of the key and permit it to fit inside the lock-cylinder either way. They are commonly called sidewinder keys and are more effective in preventing theft than conventional keys. They are also more expensive than standard keys since they are more complex and are more difficult to locate at hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates will employ an instrument that can duplicate your car keys using the right blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. We offer a variety of transponder keys, which means you can be sure to get the right one for your vehicle. We can even assist you to programme it to your car if necessary, at only a fraction of the price that you would pay at an auto dealer.