Is Your Company Responsible For An Car Key Cut Budget? Twelve Top Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Get a Car Key Cut
Car keys can be expensive to replace, especially in the event that you lose only one. A backup key 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?
Everyone loses their keys at some time. This can be a huge inconvenience since you're unable to access your vehicle or home. The majority of people prefer to have extra keys made rather than replacing their locks. This is a quicker and less expensive procedure.
Key cutting is the process of making duplicates of keys using a specific machine. This process is carried out to ensure that the new key is in line with the original in both form and function, making it impossible for anyone other than you to gain access to your property using an unauthentic.
A lot of hardware stores or big box stores have a key-cutting kiosk that you can have a copy made by trained workers within a matter of minutes. These kiosks typically use a key blank that has the same style as your current key, however, they can also make copies of more intricate keys such as keys for home or car security.
In contrast to traditional key cutting which uses mechanical tools, the most advanced technology in key duplication makes use of lasers to precisely duplicate the original key's unique markings onto a blank key. This is known as key by photo and is changing the way key duplication services work by drastically reducing the time and cost.
Modern electronic keys, like keys used to control car lock systems or security access points, contain additional components that need to be programmed in order to function properly. These additional components like the transponder chip that is found in car keys and the embedded microchip in a few home security keys communicate with their respective systems, requiring special equipment.
Key cutting is an excellent way to obtain an extra key quickly and easily, but it is important to seek professional help when you need one. Not all locksmiths are created to be the same, so you must seek out a reputable business with a committed team of highly skilled professionals who have undergone rigorous training to deal with different locking mechanisms and locks. It is also important to find locksmiths that provide emergency services. They will be able provide assistance in case of an accident lockout.
car key cutting and programming Cutting Techniques

Key cutting is a method of creation of spare keys which can prevent damage to the original keys and decrease overall wear and wear and. A spare key can be used to gain access to a home or car, or any other safe location if someone has locked themselves out.
Professionals can employ either the punching or tracing method to duplicate a key. The tracing method involves heating the tip of the key until it turns black, and then pressing it against the sticky surface of an uncut piece of tape. This leaves an imprint. A key cutter will use this imprint to cut away the original key, creating a copy which 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 until a flat surface remains on one side of the blade and the grooves and notches are gone from the other end. This allows for easier inserting the key into locks. Keys can also be cut using a punching machine that measures the depth of the notch. The machine forces a blade onto the key and cuts each notch at the required depth. These machines can either be electric or manual, and can be programmed to work with a variety of keys. This eliminates the need for a specialist.
Laser cutting is a newer method of cutting keys, which is employed in specific places. Instead of grinding keys to make the right dimensions the laser is used to cut away material from the sides of the key. The keys appear like an elongated knife, and are more resistant to bumps and other types of keys.
A key cutting service may also make replacement keys for electronic key fobs, with an embedded chip that connects to the lock's or vehicle's immobilizer system. However, the service cannot make replacements for more sophisticated smart keys, which require specialized programming that is typically reserved for dealerships and car manufacturers.
Key Cutting Equipment
If someone needs their keys cut, it is important to find the right key cutting machine. There are many different types, but some factors that can influence a person's choice are the kind of key they require, whether or not they wish to use an automated or electric machine, and how much money they'd like to spend. The machine they choose can also affect the quality of their work and the accuracy of it.
The majority of key cutting machines operate by tracing the shape of one key to cut another one. This can be done manually or with a machine that is manual. It can also be done using a laser or a code machine. These machines will typically need a code that tells the machine where to put the notches on the new key. A code can be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from databases.
There are a few tools that can cut mortice and cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are also available and can cut locksmiths' time by cutting both locks at the same time. They are expensive but can offer a greater range of services.
A kit that includes the machine as well as the tools needed to operate it is a different option. These kits are usually less expensive than buying individual tools and are an excellent investment for someone planning to launch an operation that cuts keys.
Futura Pro, an electronic key-cutting machine, was designed to be simple to use. The touchscreen that is removable allows users to access various keys and provides step-bystep instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. The machine also has an accessory tray that is built-in, as well as LED lights to show the status, according Ilco. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys including dimple keys. automotive key cutting is equipped with optional clamps to handle flat household keys and Tibbe keys, as well as cruciform key.
Key to reducing Cost
Modern car keys are much more than a mere piece of metal. They contain transponder chips that need to be programmed to work with your car and require specialized cutting machinery. They are more costly to replace in the event they are lost or taken. It is a good idea to have a spare key, so you have something to turn to if you're in a pinch.
When you choose to have your car keys cut, it's important to understand the distinction between key cutting and duplication. Though they might seem similar, key cutting is making a new key from scratch whereas duplication is simply copying an existing one. Knowing which one you require can help you save money and time in the long run.
Mechanical key duplication is a traditional method of creating a spare car key, and it involves using a key cutting machine to trace the original contours on the blank key. auto key cutting is cheaper than other options, but it could be risky if the key is not made properly or the blank is of poor quality. Insufficiently-cut key can cause damage to the lock and prevent your key from working.
Laser key cutting is more sophisticated and requires a special key-cutting machine. These machines can create an optical groove on both sides of the key which allows them to be inserted into the lock cylinder in either way, and still function. These keys are also referred to as sidewinder and are more effective at protecting against theft than standard keys. They are also more expensive than standard keys because they are more complicated and difficult to locate in hardware stores.
At AutoZone the associate will pick the appropriate key blank for your year, year of manufacture and model, and then utilize a special cutting machine to duplicate your old car key. We offer a wide selection of transponder keys so you can be sure that you get the correct one for your vehicle. We can assist you in programming the key to your car if needed, and at a fraction as the cost you would pay at dealers.