The 10 Scariest Things About Car Key Cut
How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be costly to replace, particularly if you lose your only one. Duplicate keys are a great option to avoid costly replacements.
The cutting of your car's key at an auto shop like AutoZone can save you money over the dealership. But not all locksmith or hardware establishments offer key duplication and programming services.
What is Key Cutting?
Everyone loses their keys at some point. This can be a huge inconvenience since you're unable to get into your vehicle or home. Most people prefer to have extra keys made rather than replacing their locks. This process is quicker and cheaper as well as more efficient.
Key cutting is the process of making duplicates of the key using a specially-designed machine. This is done to ensure that the new key matches the original one in terms of shape and function, making it impossible for anyone other than you to gain access to your property with an unauthentic.
A lot of hardware stores or big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk that you can get a copy made by trained employees in just a few minutes. These kiosks make use of a blank key that is identical to your current key. They also can make copies of keys that have more intricate designs, like keys for car keys or home security.
Unlike traditional key cutting, which is a process that 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. It's called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the way key duplication services work by reducing the cost and time.
Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems, or security access points have additional components which must be programmed to work correctly. These additional components like the transponder chip found in keys for vehicles and the embedded microchip found in a few home security keys communicate with their respective systems, which requires special equipment.
Key cutting is a great way to get an extra key quickly and easily, but you should always seek out professional assistance when you require it. It is not advisable to choose any locksmith. Instead, you should choose a reputable firm with a team of experts who have been through rigorous training in dealing with various locks and locking systems. It is also essential to find locksmiths who offer emergency services, since 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 reduces wear and wear and tear. A spare key could be used to gain access to your home, car, or other safe place if a person has locked themselves outside.
A professional can use either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key. The tracing method involves heating the tip of the key until it is black, and then pressing it against the sticky surface of the piece of clear tape. This leaves an imprint. Key cutters can use this imprint to cut away creating a copy that is exactly the same in dimensions and shape to the original.
Another method is to use a pattern grinder, that takes the original key and grinds it down until a smooth surface remains on one end of the blade. The grooves and notches are gone on the other side. This makes the key easier to be fitted into locks. Additionally, keys can be cut using punch machines, which is able to take the key and determines the depth of each notch. The machine applies an edge onto the key, cutting each notch to the required depth. These machines can be manual or electric, and can be programmed for different keys, reducing the requirement for a specialist to be present.
A newer form of key cutting technique is also being utilized in a few locations, and is referred to as laser cutting. Instead of grinding keys down to the proper dimensions using a laser, it is used to remove the material from the sides of the key. The result is keys that look like an asymmetrical blade, which provides more protection against bump keys and other kinds of keys for tryouts.
Key cutting services are also able to create replacement keys for electronic fobs. The key fobs are equipped with an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer system of a vehicle or lock. However it cannot create replacements for the more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming often reserved for dealerships and automobile manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
It is important to choose the correct key-cutting machine for you need your keys cut. There are a myriad of key cutting machines. The factors that can influence a person's decision include the type and size of the key, whether they prefer an automatic or electric machine, and how much they'd like to spend. The tool they select will also impact the quality of their work as well as how accurate it is.
The majority of key cutting machines operate by tracing the shape of one key to cut new ones. This can be done manually or using a manual machine. It could also be done using a laser or a code machine. These machines typically require a code that tells the machine where to put the notches on the new key. The code can either be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from databases.
There are also a range of machines available that can cut both mortice and cylinder locks. They are commonly referred to as dual key cutters. They can help locksmiths save time by cutting both types of locks with the same machine. These machines can be expensive, but they can also enable locksmiths to provide more services to customers.
Another alternative is to buy a kit that includes both the cutting machine and tools needed to operate it. These kits are usually less expensive than purchasing the tools individually, and can be an excellent investment for anyone looking to start an enterprise that cuts keys.
The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that is designed to be user-friendly. Its touchscreen tablet that is removable allows users to access a large range of keys and provides step-by-step instructions for duplicating and cutting the keys. The machine also comes with an accessory tray built-in and LED lights to show the its status, according to Ilco. Futura Pro is able to decode and cut many different keys that include dimples. It also comes with clamps that can be used to handle keys for household use and Tibbe keys, as well as cruciform keys.
Key to reducing Cost
Modern car keys are more than just a piece made of metal. They contain transponder chips that need to be programmed to work with your car, and they require special cutting equipment. They are more expensive to replace in the event that they are stolen or lost. That's why it's always wise to have an extra key so that you have something to turn to in case you're in a bind.
If key cutting services decide to have your car key cut it's crucial to understand the distinction between key cutting and duplication. Although they may appear similar, key cutting is making a new key from scratch whereas duplication is simply copying an existing key. Knowing which service you require will help you save money and time in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication, a more traditional method of creating spare keys for cars, requires a key-cutting machine to trace the original contours on the blank key. This method is less expensive than other methods of creating keys for replacement however it could be risky in the event that the key isn't well made or the key blank isn't made of high-quality. A poorly cut key could damage the lock and stop the key from working.
Laser key cutting is more advanced and requires a specialist key-cutting machine. These machines can make a laser groove on both sides of the key which allows them to be inserted into the lock cylinder facing either way while still functioning. These are commonly referred to as sidewinder keys and are more effective in preventing theft than conventional keys. They are also more expensive since they're more complicated and difficult to find in hardware stores.
AutoZone's associates use an exclusive machine to duplicate your car key by using the right blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. We have a vast selection of transponder keys, which means you're sure to get the right one for your car. We can even assist you to program it to your vehicle in case you need to, at less than the price that you would pay at the dealership.