How to Get a Car Key Cut

It's expensive to replace the keys to your car, especially when it's the only one you have. The possession of duplicate keys is the best defense against costly replacements.

You can save money by having your car keys cut at a car dealer like AutoZone instead of a dealership. However, not all hardware stores or locksmith establishments offer key duplication and programming services.

What is Key Cutting?

Everybody loses keys at some moment, and when that occurs, it can cause a real hiccup in your day, making it impossible to gain access to your car or home. The majority of people prefer to have additional keys made instead of changing their locks. This process is faster and cheaper as well as more efficient.

Key cutting is a method that involves duplicating an original key onto a blank key, with a specially-designed 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 where you can get a copy created by skilled workers in just a few minutes. These kiosks are equipped with a blank key that is identical to your current key. They also can make copies of keys that have more intricate designs, like home security or car keys.

The most advanced technology in key replication uses lasers instead of mechanical tools to precisely duplicate the unique markings of the original key onto a blank. It is called key-by-photo and it revolutionises the method of key duplication by reducing the cost and time.


Modern electronic keys that control car lock systems, or security access points, contain additional components which must be programmed in order to function correctly. These additional 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 integrate into and require specialized equipment to duplicate correctly.

Key cutting can be a great way to get a spare key quickly and easily, however you should always seek professional help when you need one. Don't settle for any locksmith. Instead, select a reputable company with a staff of professionals who have undergone rigorous training in dealing with different locks and locking systems. It is also essential to locate locksmiths that offer emergency services, since they will be able to provide assistance in the event of an accident that causes a lockout.

Key Cutting Techniques

Key cutting can be used to create spare keys. This helps to prevent damage to the original keys, and also reduces wear and wear and tear. In addition, spare keys can be used when someone is locked out of their car, home or any other safe place since it will allow the person to gain entry without the need for locksmith.

A professional can utilize either the punching or tracing method to duplicate the key. With the tracing method, one end of the original key is heated until it becomes black, and then it is pressed against the sticky side of a piece clear tape to leave an imprint. 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.

Another common method is to employ a pattern grinder which takes the original key and then grinds it until a smooth surface remains on one end of the blade and the grooves and notches disappear on the other side. This allows you to insert the key into locks. Finally, a key can be cut with punch machines. A punch machine is able to take the key and determines the depth of each notch. The machine applies an edge onto the key and then cuts each notch to the required depth. The machines can be electric or manual, and can be programmed to work with different keys. This reduces the requirement for an expert.

A newer type of key cutting technique is being utilized in certain locations, and is referred to as laser cutting. 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 a serrated knife, and are more resistant to bumps, as are other kinds of keys.

Key cutting services are also able to design replacement keys for electronic fobs. The key fobs are equipped with an embedded chip that communicates with the immobilizer systems of a vehicle or locks. The service cannot create replacements for smarter keys that require special programming, which is normally reserved for manufacturers and car dealerships.

Key Cutting Equipment

It is crucial to select the right machine to cut keys when someone needs their keys cut. There are a variety of types, but some factors that could influence a person's choice are the type of key they require, whether or not they prefer to use an automatic or electric machine and how much they are willing to spend. The type of machine they select will also influence the quality and accuracy of their work.

The majority of key cutting machines operate by tracing the shape of a key in order to cut new ones. This can be done by hand or using a manual machine but it can also be done with the use of a laser machine or code. These machines will typically need an identifier that tells the machine where to place the notches on the new key. The code can be manually entered into the machine or downloaded from a database.

There are a few tools that cut mortice and cylinder locks. Dual key cutters are also available and can help locksmiths save time by cutting both locks simultaneously. They can be expensive however they also make it possible to offer a wider range of services to customers.

A kit that includes the machine along with the tools needed to operate it is an alternative option. These kits are typically less expensive than buying individual tools and are an excellent investment for those who wants to start a business cutting keys.

The Futura Pro is an electronic key cutting machine that has been designed to be user-friendly. The touchscreen that is removable lets users access many keys and offers step-by-step instructions on how to duplicate and cut them. car keys cut near me says the machine has an accessory tray that is integrated and LED lights that indicate its current status. The Futura Pro can decode and cut a variety of keys including dimple keys. It can also be fitted with optional clamps for handling flat household and Tibbe keys, as being cruciform keys.

Key Cutting Cost

Modern car keys are more than simply a piece of metal. They are equipped with transponder chips which require programming to work with your vehicle and require special cutting equipment. They are more expensive to replace in the event they are lost or taken. This is why it's always a good idea to have a spare key, so you'll have something to turn to in case you're in a pinch.

It is important to understand the difference between duplication and cutting before you decide to have your car keys cut. Although they may appear similar, key cutting is making a new key from scratch whereas duplication is simply copying an existing one. Knowing which service you require will save you money and time in the long run.

Mechanical key duplication is a traditional method of creating an extra car key and it requires a key cutting machine to trace the original contours onto the blank key. This process is cheaper than other methods for making an alternative car key however, it can be risky when the key isn't correctly made or the key blank isn't of high-quality. If the keys are not cut properly, they could damage the lock cylinder and cause your key to stop functioning.

Laser key cutting is more sophisticated and requires a specialist key-cutting machine. These machines can make an optical groove on the flat side of the key and allow it to fit inside the lock-cylinder in either direction. These keys are also known as sidewinders and are more effective in preventing theft than regular keys. They also tend to be more expensive than standard keys due to the fact that they are more complex and are more difficult to locate at hardware stores.

AutoZone's associates use an instrument that can duplicate your car key by using the correct blank for your vehicle's year, make and model. We have a broad selection of transponder key options so you're sure to find the one that is right for your vehicle. We can help you program the key to your car, if required, and for a fraction of the cost much as you would pay at dealers.