25 Surprising Facts About Car Key Cut

How to Get a Car Key Cut

It is costly to replace your car keys, especially when it's the only one you have. The possession of duplicate keys is the best defense against expensive replacements.

You can save money by having your cheap car key cutting keys cut at an automotive retailer like AutoZone instead of a dealership. Not all hardware or locksmith stores offer key duplication and programming.

What is Key Cutting?

Everyone loses their keys at some moment. This can 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 is a faster, less expensive and more convenient procedure.

Key cutting is a technique that involves replicating an original key on an uncut key, with a specially-designed machine. This is done in order to ensure that the key is identical to the original both in shape and function.

Many hardware stores and big box stores have an area for cutting keys 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 with the same style as your current key, but they can also make copies of more elaborate 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 of the original key onto a blank. It's called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the process of key duplication by reducing time and costs.

Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems, or security access points, have additional components which must be programmed properly. These additional components such as the transponder chip found in car keys and the embedded microchip that is found in a few home security keys communicate with their respective systems, and require specialised equipment.

When you need a spare key, cutting is a quick and easy method to obtain one. However, you should always consult a professional. There are many locksmiths that are not to be the same, so you must look for a reputable company with a team of experts who have completed rigorous training to handle different locking mechanisms and locks. It's also important to find a locksmith that offers emergency services, as they can help in the event of an accidental lockout.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting is a method of creation of spare keys, which can protect keys that were originally made and also reduce overall wear and wear and tear. A spare key can be used to gain access to your home or car, or any other safe place if a person is locked out.

A professional can utilize either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key cutting locksmith near me. With the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it turns black, and then it is pressed against the sticky side of the clear tape to leave an impression. This impression can be used by key cutters to create a copy of the original exactly the same size and shape.

A pattern grinder is a different popular method. It grinds the original key until it has a smooth surface at one side and grooves and notches removed from the other. This makes it easier to insert the key into locks. Additionally, keys can be cut with punch machines, which will take the key and measure the depth of each notch. A device then forces an edge down on the key and cuts each notch to the required depth. These machines can be electric or manual and can be programmed to work with different keys, eliminating the requirement for a specialist to be present.

A newer form of key cutting technique is also being utilized in certain places, which is known as laser cutting. Instead of grinding keys to make the right dimensions using a laser, it is used to cut away material from the sides of the key. The keys resemble the serrated knife and are more resistant to bumps, as are other kinds of keys.

Key cutting services can also create replacement keys for electronic key fobs that have an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer of a lock or vehicle's system. The service is not able to make replacement keys for smarter keys that require special programming, which is typically reserved for manufacturers and dealerships of cars.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is important to choose the correct key-cutting machine for someone needs their keys cut. There are a variety of key cutting machines. A few factors that could affect a person's choice include the size and type of the key, whether they prefer an electric or automatic machine, and how much they want spend. The type of machine they select can also impact the quality of their work as well as the accuracy of it.

Most key cutting machines trace the contour of a key in order to create the new key. This can be done by hand or using a machine that is manual however, it could also be done using a laser or code. These machines require a code to tell them where to put the key's notch. The code can be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from the database.

There are a few tools that cut both cylinder and mortice locks. These are sometimes referred to as dual key cutters. They can help locksmiths save time by allowing them to cut both types of locks with the same machine. They are expensive however they can provide a wider variety of services.

Another alternative is to buy a kit that includes both the cutting machine and the tools needed to operate it. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing the tools individually 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 has been designed to be user-friendly. The removable 10-inch touchscreen allows users to access various keys and offers step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. The machine also has an accessory tray that is built-in, as well as LED lights to show the status, according Ilco. Futura Pro is able to cut and decode many different keys that include dimples. It is also equipped with clamps that can be used to handle the flat household keys and Tibbe keys, as well for cruciform keys.

Key Cutting Costs

Modern car keys are more than a simple piece of metal. They contain transponder chip that must be programmed for your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. This makes them more expensive to replace if they are lost or stolen. It's always an excellent idea to have an extra key in case you can access it in the situation of an emergency lockout.

When you choose to have your car key cut, it is important to know the difference between vw key cut by vin near me cutting and duplication. Although they may appear similar, key cutting involves creating a brand new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing the service you require will save you time and money over the long run.

Mechanical key duplication is the more traditional way of making a spare car key cut car key and it involves using the key cutting machine to trace the original contours of the blank key. This method is more affordable than others, but is risky if the key is not made properly or the key is not of good quality. Insufficiently-cut key can harm the lock and prevent your key from functioning.

Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting machine that is specially designed. These machines can make a laser 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. They are commonly called sidewinder key cutting keys, and are more effective at preventing theft than conventional keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys because they are more complex and harder to find at hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates will use a special machine to duplicate your car key cutting places 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 that you get the correct one for your car. We can assist you in programming the key to your car if you require it, and at a fraction of price as you would at dealers.