Car keys can be expensive to replace, especially if you lose your only one. car key cut is the best protection against expensive replacements.
Cutting your car keys at an automotive store like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. However, not all hardware stores or locksmith shops offer key duplication or programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everybody loses keys at one point, and when this occurs, it could be a real hiccup in your day, leaving you unable to gain access to your home or car. The majority of people prefer having spare keys cut rather than changing their locks completely. This process is faster and less expensive, as well as more convenient.
Key cutting is the process of duplicating keys using a specific machine. This is done in order to ensure that the key is identical to 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 a matter of minutes. These kiosks make use of an uncut key that is exactly like your existing key. They can also cut copies of keys with more complicated designs, such as home security or car keys.
The most recent technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to precisely duplicate the unique markings of the original key onto a blank one. It is called key-by-photo and is revolutionizing the way key duplication services work by reducing the cost and time.
Modern electronic keys, such as ones used to control the security of car locks or access points, contain additional components that need to be programmed in order to function correctly. These additional components like the transponder chip in car keys and the embedded microchip that is found in some security keys for homes communicate with their respective systems, requiring special equipment.
Key cutting can be the best way to get a spare key quickly and easily, but you should always seek out professional help when you need one. It is not advisable to choose any locksmith. Instead, select a reputable company with a team of experts who have received a rigorous education in dealing with various locks and locking systems. It's also important to find a locksmith that offers emergency services, as they will be able to help in the event of an accident that causes a lockout.
Key Cutting Techniques
Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This can prevent damage to the original keys and reduces wear and wear and tear. A spare key can be used to gain access to a house, car, or other safe place if a person is locked out.
To create a duplicate key, a professional may choose between the tracing or punch method of duplication. The tracing method involves heating the tip of the key until it is black, then pressing it against the sticky side of a piece clear tape. This leaves an impression. A key cutter can then use this imprint to cut it away the original key, creating a copy which is exactly the same in shape and size to the original.
A pattern grinder is a different popular method. It is used to grind 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 into locks. Keys can also be cut using punching machines that measure the depth of the notch. The device then pushes an edge down on the key cutting each notch until the required depth. These machines are manual or electric and can be programmed to work with different keys. This means that there is no need for a specialist.
Laser cutting is a newer technique for cutting keys that is utilized in a few places. Instead of grinding the keys down to the proper dimensions the laser is used to remove material from the side of the key. The keys appear like a serrated knife, and are more resistant to bumps, as are other kinds of keys.
A key cutting service may also create replacement keys for electronic key fobs which feature an embedded chip that communicates with a vehicle's or lock's immobilizer system. However it cannot create replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys that require specialized programming, which is typically reserved for dealerships and car manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is important to choose the right key-cutting machine when you need your keys cut. There are a variety of types and some of the factors that could influence a person's choice are the type of key they require, whether or not they prefer to use an automated or electric machine and how much money they want to spend. The tool they select will also impact the quality of their work and how precise it is.
The majority of key cutting machines work by tracing the shape of one key to cut another one. This can be done manually or using a manual machine but it can be accomplished using a code or laser machine. These machines typically require codes that tell the machine where to put the notches on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from a database.
There are a few machines which can cut mortice and cylinder locks. These are sometimes referred to as dual key cutters and can reduce the time a locksmith spends by cutting both types of locks with the same machine. These tools can be costly, but they can also make it possible to offer a wider range of services to customers.
A kit that includes the machine as well as the tools required to operate it is another option. These kits are typically cheaper than buying the tools individually and can be a good investment for someone who wants to get into the business of cutting keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, was designed to be simple to use. The touchscreen is removable and allows users to access many keys and provides step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. The machine also comes with a built-in accessory tray and LED lights to indicate status, according to Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a wide range of keys, including dimple keys. It is also equipped with clamps for handling flat household and Tibbe keys as well being cruciform keys.
Key to reducing Cost
Modern car keys are more than a simple piece of metal. They are equipped with transponder chips which need to be programmed to work with your car, and they require cutting machines that are specialized. This makes them more expensive to replace if they get stolen or lost. This is why it's always a good idea to invest in an extra key, so you'll have something to turn to in case you're in a bind.
If you decide to have your car keys cut, it is important to know the difference between key cutting and duplication. While they might appear identical, duplication is the act of copying an existing key. Knowing the type of service you require will save you time and money in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of making spare keys for cars, involves using an instrument for cutting keys to trace the original contours on the blank key. This method is cheaper than other methods of making an alternative car key, but it can be risky when the key isn't correctly created or the key blank isn't made of high-quality. If the key is not cut properly, it could harm the lock and prevent your key from functioning.
Laser key cutting requires a key-cutting tool that is specifically designed. These machines can make an optical groove on the flat side of the key and permit it to fit into the lock-cylinder either way. These are commonly called sidewinder keys, and are more effective in protecting against theft than standard keys. These keys are also more expensive since they're more complex and difficult to find in hardware stores.
At AutoZone our associates will choose the right key blank for your year, make and model, and then utilize a specific cutting machine to duplicate your previous car key. We offer a wide selection of transponder keys, so you're sure to find the perfect one for your vehicle. We can even assist you to programme it to your car if necessary, at a fraction of the cost that you would spend at an auto dealer.
