Ten Apps To Help Manage Your Car Key Cut
How to Get a Car Key Cut
It can be costly to replace the keys to your car, especially if it is the only one you have. Duplicate keys are the most effective option to avoid costly replacements.
You can save money by cutting your car keys at an auto retailer like AutoZone instead of an auto dealer. However, not all hardware stores or locksmith establishments offer key duplication and programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses their keys at some moment. This could be a huge inconvenience as you are unable to get into your vehicle or home. Most people choose 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 the process of creating keys using a specific machine. This process is carried out to ensure that the new key is in line with the original in both shape and function, making it impossible for someone other than you to gain access to your property with a fake.
Many hardware stores and big box stores provide the option of a key-cutting station, where you can have an exact copy of your key made in a matter of minutes by a skilled worker. The kiosks typically make use of a key blank that has the identical design as your current key, but they also can make copies of more elaborate keys such as car or home security keys.
Contrary to traditional key cutting which uses mechanical tools, the most advanced technology in key duplication makes use of lasers to precisely duplicate the key's unique markings on a blank key. This is called key by photo and is changing the way key duplication services function by drastically reducing the amount of time and expense involved.
Modern electronic keys, such as keys used to control the security of car locks or access points, contain additional components that need to be programmed to work correctly. These other components, such as a transponder chip on vehicle keys, or a microchip embedded in some security keys for homes communicate with the system they're designed to fit into and require specialized equipment to duplicate correctly.
If you require an extra key, cutting it is a simple and quick method of getting one. However, you should always 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 essential to find locksmiths that offer emergency services, as they'll be able to provide assistance in the event of an accident that causes a lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to make spare keys. This prevents damage to the original keys and decreases wear and wear and tear. Additionally, a spare can be used when one is locked out of their home, car or other secure area as it can allow them to gain entry without the assistance of a locksmith.
A professional can utilize either the tracing or punching method to duplicate the key. The method of tracing involves heating the end of the key until it is black, then pressing it against the sticky side of an uncut piece of tape. This creates an impression. This impression can be utilized by a key cutter to make a copy of the original that is exactly the same size and shape.
Another method is to use a pattern grinder, which takes the key and grinds it down until a flat surface remains on one side of the blade, and the grooves and notches are removed at the other end. This makes it easier to be fitted into locks. Keys can also be cut using punching machines that measure the depth of the notch. The device forces a blade on the key and cuts each notch to the required depth. These machines are either electric or manual and can be programmed to work with a variety of keys. This eliminates the need for an expert.
Laser cutting is a modern method of cutting keys that is used in certain areas. Instead of grinding the keys to the right dimensions using a laser, it is used to remove the material from the side of the key. The result is keys that resemble the serrated blades which offers more protection against bump keys and other kinds of tryout keys.
A key cutting service can create replacement keys for electronic key fobs that have an embedded chip that communicates with a vehicle's or lock's immobilizer system. However the service isn't capable of creating replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming typically reserved for dealerships and car manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is important to choose the right machine to cut keys when someone needs their keys cut. There are many types of key cutting machines. The factors that can influence a person's decision include the size and style of the key, whether they want an electric or automated machine, and the amount they'd like to spend. The machine they select will also influence the quality and accuracy of their work.
Most key cutting machines trace the outline of a key in order to create a new key. This can be done manually or using a manual machine. It can also be done with a laser or a code machine. These machines will typically need an identifier that tells the machine where to place the notches on the new key. A code can be entered manually into the machine, or it can be 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 save a locksmith time by allowing them to cut both types of locks on the same machine. They are expensive however, they offer a wider variety of services.
A kit that includes the machine along with the tools required to operate it is a different option. These kits are typically less expensive than buying the tools individually and are an excellent investment for someone looking to start an operation that cuts keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, was designed to be simple to use. Its 10-inch touchscreen tablet allows users to access a broad range of keys and provides steps-by-step instructions for duplicates and cutting the keys. Ilco states that the machine has an integrated accessory tray as well as LED lights that indicate its status. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a wide range of keys, including dimple keys. It also comes with optional clamps for handling flat household and Tibbe keys, as for cruciform keys.
Key Cutting Costs
Modern keys for cars are more than just a piece of metal. They have a transponder chip that must be programmed for your car and require specialized cutting equipment. They are more expensive to replace in the event they are lost or taken. That's why it's always wise to invest in an extra key so that you have something to turn to in the event that you find yourself stuck.
It is important to understand the difference between duplication and cutting before you decide to get your car keys cut. Although they may appear like they are similar, key cutting involves creating a new key from scratch whereas duplication is simply copying an existing one. Knowing the type of service you require will save you time and money over the long run.
cheap key cutting , a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, involves using an instrument for cutting keys to trace the original contours on a blank key. This method is cheaper than other options, but it can be risky when the key isn't created correctly or the blank is of poor quality. Insufficiently-cut keys can harm the lock's cylinder, and cause the key to stop functioning.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting tool that is specifically designed. These machines can make an optical groove on both the flat and round sides of the key, which allows them to fit into the lock cylinder in either way while still functioning. These are commonly called sidewinder keys and are more effective at stopping theft than standard keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys due to the fact that they are more complicated and harder to find at hardware stores.
At AutoZone our associates will select the correct key blank for your year, year of manufacture and model, and then utilize a specific cutting machine to duplicate your previous car key. We offer a wide selection of transponder keys, which means you can be sure to find the correct one for your vehicle. We can even assist you to program it to your vehicle should you require it, for a fraction of the cost that you would spend at a dealership.