What's The Current Job Market For Car Key Cut Professionals?
How to Get a Car Key Cut
It's expensive to replace the keys to your car, especially if it is the only one you have. Having duplicate keys is the best way to avoid costly replacements.
You can save money by cutting your car keys at a car dealer like AutoZone instead of a dealership. Not all locksmith or hardware stores offer key duplication and programming.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at some moment, and when that happens, it can be a real hiccup in your day, causing you to be unable to gain access to your car or home. Most people prefer to have additional keys made rather than replacing their locks. This process is faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
Key cutting is a process that involves replicating the original key onto a blank key, by using a special machine. This is done to make sure that the key matches the original both in shape and function.
Many hardware stores and big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk that you can obtain a duplicate made by trained workers in just a few minutes. These kiosks use a blank key that is identical to your current key. They can also make copies of keys that have more intricate designs, such as car keys or home security keys.
The latest technology for key replication makes use of lasers instead of mechanical tools to accurately duplicate the unique markings on the original key onto a blank one. This is known as key-by-photo, and it revolutionises the way key duplication services work by reducing costs and time.
Modern electronic keys, such as ones used to control car lock systems, or security access points, have additional components that must be programmed to work correctly. These other components, such as a transponder chip on vehicle keys, or a microchip embedded in a few home security keys, communicate with the system they're designed to integrate into and require special equipment to duplicate correctly.
If you require a spare key, cutting is a quick and easy method of getting one. However, you should always consult an expert. Don't settle for any locksmith. Instead, select places to get keys cut near me with a team of experts who have undergone rigorous training to deal with various locks and locking systems. It is also essential to locate locksmiths that offer emergency services as they will be able to help in the event of a mishap that results in a lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to make spare keys. This can prevent damage to the original keys and reduces wear and wear and tear. Additionally, a spare can be used if one is locked out of their home, car or any other safe place because it allows the person to gain entry without the assistance of locksmith.
A professional can utilize either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key. The tracing method involves heating the end of the key until it turns black and pressing it against the sticky side of the piece of clear tape. This leaves an impression. Key cutters can utilize this imprint to cut around creating a copy that is the same 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 smooth surface on one end and grooves and notches removed from the other. This makes it easier to insert into locks. Keys can also be cut using a punching machine that measures the depth of the notch. The device then pushes an edge down on the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. The machines can be either electric or manual and can be programmed to work with different keys. This reduces the need for a specialist.
A newer kind of key cutting technique is being used in some locations, and is referred to as laser cutting. Instead of grinding the keys to the correct dimensions the laser is used to remove the material from the sides of the key. The result is the keys looking similar to a serrated blade which offers more protection against bump keys as well as other kinds of keys for tryouts.
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 vehicle or locks. However it cannot create replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys that require specialized programming usually reserved for dealerships or automobile manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is essential to select the correct key-cutting machine for someone needs their keys cut. There are a myriad of key cutting machines. A few factors that could influence a person's decision are the size and style of the key, whether they want an electric or automated machine, as well as the amount they'd like to spend. The machine they choose can also influence the quality of their work and how accurate it is.
Most key cutting machines trace the profile of a key to create the new key. This can be done by hand or with a manual machine. It can also be done with a laser or code machine. These machines will typically require codes that tell the machine where to place the notches on the new key. A code can be entered manually into the machine or downloaded from databases.
There are a few machines which can cut mortice and cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are readily available and can cut locksmiths' time by cutting both types of locks at the same time. They can be expensive however they also enable locksmiths to provide an array of services to customers.
A kit that includes the machine as well as the tools required to operate it is a different option. These kits are typically cheaper than purchasing the tools individually and could be a good investment for someone who wants to start a business of cutting keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, is designed to be simple to use. The touchscreen that is removable allows users to access various keys and provides step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. Ilco says the machine has an accessory tray built-in as well as LED lights that indicate its state. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a wide range of keys that include dimple keys. It can also be fitted with clamps for handling the flat household keys and Tibbe keys as well as cruciform keys.
Key Cutting Costs
Modern car keys are more than simply a piece of metal. They are equipped with transponder chips which must be programmed to work with your car and require cutting machines that are specialized. They are more expensive to replace in the event they are lost or taken. It is a good idea to have an extra key so that you'll have something to turn to in the event that you're stuck.
When you choose to have your car keys cut, it's crucial to understand the difference between key cutting and duplication. While they may seem like they are similar, duplication is actually the act of copying an existing key. Knowing which service you need can help you save money and time in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication is a traditional way of making a spare car key, and it involves using an instrument to trace the original contours of a blank key. This method is less expensive than others, but can be risky when the key isn't created correctly or the key is not of good quality. Keys that are cut improperly can cause damage to the lock's cylinder and cause your key to stop working.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting device that is specially designed. These machines can cut laser grooves on the flat side of the key and allow it to fit inside the lock-cylinder in any direction. These keys are also referred to as sidewinder and are more effective in protecting against theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive than standard keys since they are more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates use an exclusive machine to duplicate your car keys using the correct blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. We offer a wide selection of transponder keys, which means you can be sure to get the right one for your car. We can even help you program it to your vehicle in case you need to, at less than the price that you would pay at the dealership.
