7 Small Changes That Will Make A Big Difference With Your Car Key Cut
How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be expensive to replace, particularly when you lose the only one. The possession of duplicate keys is the best defense against costly replacements.
You can save money by having your car keys cut at an auto retailer like AutoZone instead of an auto dealer. But not all locksmith or hardware shops offer key duplication and programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at one point, and when this occurs, it can cause an extremely stressful day, leaving you unable to get into your car or home. The majority of people prefer to have additional keys made rather than replacing their locks. This is a quicker, cheaper and more convenient process.
Key cutting is a method that involves duplicating an original key on an uncut key, with a specially-designed machine. This is done to ensure that the key matches the original both in form and function.
Many hardware stores and big box stores have a key cutting kiosk where you can have a copy created by skilled workers in just a few minutes. These kiosks make use of a blank key that is identical to your current key. auto key cutting can also cut copies of keys that have more intricate designs, such as car keys or home security keys.
Unlike traditional key cutting, which uses mechanical tools, the most advanced technology in key duplication makes use of lasers to precisely replicate the original key's unique markings onto a blank key. It is called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the way key duplication services work by reducing costs and time.
Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems or security access points have additional components that must be programmed in order to function correctly. These other components, such as the transponder chip found in car keys, or a microchip embedded in a few home security keys, communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into, and they require specialised equipment to duplicate properly.
If you require an extra key, cutting it is a simple and quick method of getting one. However it is recommended to consult an expert. Don't settle for any locksmith. Instead, choose a reputable business with a staff of professionals who have been through rigorous training to deal with various locks and locking systems. It is also important to find locksmiths who provide emergency services. They can provide assistance in case of an emergency lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting permits the creation of spare keys, which can protect original keys and reduce the overall wear and tear. A spare key can be used to gain access to a home or car, or any other safe place if a person has locked themselves outside.
A professional can utilize either the tracing or punching method to duplicate the key. The method of tracing involves heating the edge of the key until it turns black and pressing it against the sticky surface of a piece clear tape. This leaves an imprint. A key cutter will use this imprint to cut away, making a copy that is exactly the same in shape and size to the original.
A pattern grinder is another commonly used method. It is used to grind the original key until it has a flat surface on one side and grooves and notches removed from the other. This allows the key to be fitted into locks. Finally, a key can be cut using punch machines, which will take the key and measure the depth of each notch. The machine applies a blade on the key and cuts each notch to the required depth. These machines can be manual or electric, and can be programmed for various keys, thus reducing the need for an expert to be present.
Laser cutting is a newer method of cutting keys that is utilized in specific areas. Instead of grinding the keys to the right dimensions the laser is used to remove the material from the side of the key. The keys appear like a serrated knife, and are more resistant to bump keys and other types of keys.
Key cutting services can also make replacement keys for electronic key fobs, that have an embedded chip that communicates with a vehicle's or lock's immobilizer system. The service can't create replacement keys for smarter keys that require specialized programming, which is usually reserved for manufacturers and dealerships of cars.
Key Cutting Equipment
If a person wants to have their keys cut, it's important to find the right key cutting machine. There are many different types and some of the factors that can influence a person's decision include the kind of key they require and whether or not they wish to use an automated or electric device, and the much money they'd like to spend. The type of machine they select can also impact the quality of their work and how precise it is.
The majority of key cutting machines trace the profile of an existing key to create an entirely new key. This can be done manually or with a manual machine. It could also be done using a laser or code machine. These machines will typically require an identifier that tells the machine where to place the notches on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from databases.
There are also a number of machines that can cut mortice as well as cylinder locks. These are often called dual key cutters and can save a locksmith time by cutting both types of locks with the same machine. These machines are expensive, but can offer a greater variety of services.
A kit that includes the machine and the tools required to operate it is another option. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing the tools individually and are an excellent investment for those who wants to start a business cutting keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. The removable 10-inch touchscreen lets users access a variety of keys, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. It also comes with an accessory tray that is built-in, as well as LED lights that indicate the its 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 keys for household use and Tibbe keys as well as cruciform key.
Key Cutting Costs
Modern car keys are more than a mere piece of metal. They contain transponder chips that require programming to work with your car, and they require special cutting equipment. They are more costly to replace in the event they get lost or stolen. It's always a good idea to have a spare key so that you can utilize it in the case 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. Though they might seem similar, key cutting is creating a brand new key from scratch, while duplication is simply copying an existing one. Knowing which one you require can save you money and time in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, uses a key-cutting machine to trace original contours onto a blank key. This process is cheaper than other methods of creating an alternative car key, but it can be risky when the key isn't correctly created or the key blank isn't of high-quality. Insufficiently-cut key can damage the lock and stop 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 allow it to fit into the lock-cylinder in either direction. These are commonly referred to as sidewinder keys and are more effective in preventing theft than conventional keys. They are also more expensive than standard keys due to the fact that they are more complex and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates will employ an instrument that can duplicate your car key using the appropriate blank for your car's year, make and model. We have a variety of transponder key options, so you are sure to find the one that is right for your vehicle. We can even assist you to program it to your vehicle if necessary, at only a fraction of the price that you would spend at an auto dealer.