Key Cutting Machines: What Types Exist?
When you hire a locksmith, you can do so for all manner of reasons – one of the most
When you hire a locksmith, you can do so for all manner of reasons – one of the most common reasons includes cutting keys for your locks. Keys remain one of the most commonly created items anywhere in the world; we all need a set of keys for our houses, at least, right?
Given that keys have thousands of years of history in common usage, we have used keys for everything from opening old chests to guarding our homes, locking our windows, and our cars. However, despite the fact that keys are so important to our day-to-day lives, over one-third of citizens in the UK have lost their keys at one point or another. Have you ever lost your keys? Then you know the stress it causes!
Losing your keys is a worrying emotion to go through; we often fear that our keys have been stolen or that we will never find them. Given their relatively small size, too, finding your keys can be like a needle in a haystack – especially when you are not sure where to begin your search. When you lose your keys, you either find them or hire a professional emergency locksmith to cut new keys and change your locks. To create those keys, a locksmith uses a key-cutting machine.
Rather than having to try and fit through a gap in your window – or put your window/door in with physical force – you can call a locksmith. They can then replace your locks, cut new keys for whatever purpose you need them for, and get you back inside ASAP. So, that begs the question: how do we cut keys? In this guide, we will take a look at key cutting machinery so you can understand how this works. But first, let’s take a brief look into the concept of key cutting itself.
Key Cutting: At A Glance
When you need a new set of keys made, either to fit a new lock or to replace keys you have lost, you hire a locksmith. They can then cut the keys for you, either creating an identical creation of the keys you have in your possession or creating keys from scratch that are unique to the locks you have. Why do we use key cutting machines? Why do we need keys created in the first place?
Creating Backup Keys
The first reason is the most obvious: you need a set of backup keys in case you lose the keys you already have. It always pays to have a set of backup keys you know where you can find when the originals go missing, at least to get you back inside so you can contact a locksmith. Having a backup set of keys means you always know that you have a secondary set you can use. Just make sure you come up with a place to hide your backup keys that is more creative than under the plant pot!
Replacement Keys
Have you ever heard of someone seeing their key snap in the door? You might be shocked to know that this is relatively common. Keys tend to be made from more brittle metals, such as a combination of nickel and brass. As such, they have a habit of breaking – especially if you have owned those keys for years. Eventually, they wear out and could snap.
Replacement keys mean you can get your current set replaced before the damage becomes a problem. Having keys stuck in the lock is never nice, so replacing them before you get to that stage makes a lot of sense!
Spare Key Access
You might even choose to create duplicate keys to give to someone you trust, like a nearby family member or even your neighbour. Backup keys mean you never have to worry about being stuck outside because you know you have a spare set that you can use to get back inside. Rather than that perpetual fear of being stranded after a night out, you know where your backup keys are stored so you can get back inside with minimal stress.
Of course, you need to know that you can trust the recipient not to come snooping around your house when you are out at work or on holiday. Having a secondary set of keys means you can go about your day knowing you always have a backup plan but also so you can give these spares to people like babysitters, dog walkers, trade professionals, etc. – having a spare set with a third party is always useful for giving you some peace of mind!
What Types Of Key Cutting Machines Are There?
So, it is important to know that key cutting machinery can change; every model is not one and the same. A professional locksmith might have access to numerous key-cutting machines as they might cut more than one type of key. The key-cutting machines they use should be for specific types of keys, such as. In the UK, we have some pretty standard key types that locksmiths replace regularly.
These could include things like cylinder, tubular, mortice, and dual key cutting machines. These are used for various key types, but you also get different machines in terms of how they operate. For example, you get automatic key cutting machines that, as the name implies, do the job pretty much for you. You also get automatic key cutting machines as well as, for more advanced key cutting, laser-guided key cutting machines.
Each key cutter has its purpose, as you would imagine. A manual key-cutting machine is probably the most challenging to use as it requires significant attention to detail; they are the most prone to error and the need for repeat key cutting, especially for inexperienced key cutters. Automatic machines do not require the same attention and manual effort, so they tend to be the best choice for those who are carrying out mass-creation of many keys.
Their operations tend to be quite similar, though; you place the key you wish to use as a template into one side of the machine, and then the key cutter traces the outline of the key and creates a duplicate model as required. The machine (or the locksmith) then brushes the key to remove any metal edges left over so the key feels as smooth as possible.
For those looking for more advanced options, laser key cutting machinery is probably the best choice. They use a laser to cut the shape of the key needed and tend to provide a cleaner finish and a higher standard of accuracy.
Then, it comes down to the type of key being cut; a key for a Mortice lock is different to the key needed for a cylindrical lock, for example. A skilled locksmith knows what type of lock to create. Many locksmiths own a dual key cutting machine so they can cut cylinder and mortice keys, the most common types in UK homes and businesses, at the same time.
How Long Does Cutting A Key Take? And How Much Does It Cost?
Good question! We all value our time, of course, so we don’t want to waste valuable hours waiting for a key to be cut for us. In terms of time for cutting a key, though, it comes down to the kind of key you are looking to cut. Smaller keys for things like filing cabinets tend to be much quicker to cut, while keys for high-security doors and the like tend to require more precision and thus take longer to cut.
Window keys are arguably the cheapest and quickest to have cut, while a key for something like a security deposit box or a key, which tend to be double-bitted, take the longest and cost the most. The most standard key cutting operation is for doors for our homes, garages, sheds, etc.
Security keys require the most specific attention to detail, while a domestic key for your home should be able to be cut very quickly indeed. If a key is following a pre-set pattern, like duplicating a key that already exists, the process is even quicker. If there is no original key and the key has to be cut to a certain specification, though, that adds more time to the job again.
Generally, a standard house key should cost you around £4-5 to have cut, and it should take around a minute for a good professional locksmith to cut it for you. For more robust keys, like Mortice keys, you could be waiting around 5 minutes to have one cut, but the price should stay around the same – around five pounds. The cost for more advanced security keys, though, can rise significantly.
A security key for something like a safe, especially if double-bitted, could take around 20 to 25 minutes to cut. You might want to go and grab something to eat/drink while you wait, as you will probably be waiting a while. They also tend to cost around three times the average, with most locksmiths and key-cutting professionals charging around £15 to cut one of these keys.
Why Should You Avoid DIY Key Cutting?
Thanks to platforms like YouTube, we can find tutorials for just about anything you can imagine through the web. These tutorials are often simplistic in their explanations, though, making complex tasks – like key cutting – look easier than they actually are. As any DIY key cutter will tell you, though, the process is far more complicated than many ‘experts’ on YouTube make it look!
Cutting a key yourself is a challenge, even if you buy a high-quality automatic key cutter. Look, for one, you will pay a lot more money to buy a key cutting machine than you would just hiring a service. How many keys, realistically, are you going to cut with your machine? Unless you intend to get into the trade yourself, DIY key cutting is an overly expensive and often redundant decision to take.
Key cutting requires a lot of knowledge about the process, too; you could end up making a mistake, ruining the materials for cutting the key. Before you know it, you could have a lot of wasted metal and wasted hours of your time. Even if you think you get it right, your keys might not be as secure as you expect; there really is no benefit to DIY key cutting.
Locksmiths and key cutters have the skills and the machinery already at hand, as well as the supplies needed to make your keys. Rather than investing in all of this yourself, it is much easier just to hire a professional and let them create the key for you. Key cutting is an activity that is prone to error and could see you waste plenty of time. Instead, leave the cutting of your new keys to a trusted professional.
There are many parts involved in key cutting, such as making sure you are lined up correctly and that you are duplicating the right key. Then, you need to be able to finish the key off so there are no rough edges or excessive weak points within the key itself. This is a lot of work!
Tip: Make Sure You Hire A Professional!
Given the costs laid out above for key cutting, there is no reason to go to an even cheaper third party. Look around online, though, and you can find people on social media and classified ads offering key-cutting services for even less money. Trust us, though; there is no benefit to hiring a non-locksmith or someone who cannot be trusted. The money you save is absolutely not worth the risk involved!
A professional locksmith will come with a professional guarantee that your key is cut for you and you alone. A less scrupulous service provider could create a copy for themselves or sell your key design to criminals. As such, make sure that you hire a professional who comes with a guarantee of quality of work and confidentiality. A professional locksmith will give you that guarantee; a random person you find on social media will not. A certified locksmith is worth hiring over the even-cheaper alternative.
Key Cutting Services For Residential Properties
The most common form of keys cut in the UK will be for residential properties. There is a reason why a locksmith will declare whether they focus on residential or commercial products; the keys cut and the ways they are used will vary from type to type. As such, if you want keys for a domestic purpose, then you want a residential locksmith who provides key-cutting services.
Residential locksmiths are specialists in creating locks for use in your home. They tend to have local knowledge about the kind of locks you likely have and can give you valuable insight into the best lock types and key types you need for your home. Remember that a locksmith can not only cut your keys, but they can install new locks to match these keys, so you know your home is more secure than before. A locksmith can help to assess your security requirements properly ahead of any potential issues emerging in the future.
Key Cutting Services For Commercial Properties
If you are looking for a commercial locksmith instead, you need to make sure you hire someone with experience in this field. Commercial properties tend to have very different lock styles, meaning you cannot risk hiring someone who does not know their way around these lock profiles. Most commercial locksmiths can deal with locks for your business, office blocks, hotels, and industrial buildings like factories and warehouses. They can usually help deal with locks for places like hospitals and schools, too, meaning commercial locksmiths have a great level of value within their local community.
While commercial locksmiths often offer the same services as residential locksmiths, they also tend to offer high-security options. That could include the installation of smart locks, smart security like CCTV, digital locks, and even the development of a master key entry system.
Important Things To Know About Key Cutting
Now that you have a greater understanding about key cutting and the challenges involved in the process, here are some important final things to know about the process of the key cutting industry:
You Can Cut A Key Without A Set Template
Most assume that without a starting key to use as the template, they cannot have their keys cut. That, though, is not the case. A skilled locksmith can cut your keys without having to use a template. While this means creating the keys from scratch, which is no job for a rookie, a locksmith with years of experience in key cutting should be able to do this for you without issue. Most of the time, this involves manual key cutting, which requires additional attention and focus to create the key correctly.
You Should Avoid Making Copies Of Copies
When you have your key copied by a locksmith, they will recommend that you keep your original at hand and in a safe place. Why? Because creating a copy from a copy in the future is not wise. Over time, copies of copies tend to become weaker. Every subsequent recreation creates a higher risk of imperfections and problems with the duplicate. If you are looking for key cutting to create a second key, we recommend you use the original key as opposed to the secondary copy already made.
Broken Keys Can Still Be Cut (In Some Cases)
When a key is broken, we often assume we need to try and get the key made again from scratch. Some locksmiths, though, have the skills to recreate broken keys. So long as the main functions of the key remain intact, a locksmith should be able to cut spare keys. Bring your damaged key to a local locksmith, and they can give you insight into the severity of the damage and whether your key can be used. If your key breaks in the lock, they might need to create a duplicate using another copy – as mentioned above, try and keep your original key safe from usage so it can be recreated when needed.
Restricted Keys Cannot Be Cloned
If you wish, you could even have a locksmith create what is known as a restricted key for you. Restricted keys cannot be duplicated, at least not without the sole permission of the original holder of the key. If you want to be extra-cautious about your key duplication, have a restricted key made of your original and then keep that in a safe place nobody else can access.
If you have any questions remaining about key cutting, we recommend you contact your local locksmithing experts for help in resolving whatever problem(s) you happen to have; they can clear up any doubts that remain.
