How often do you lose your keys? You might’ve reached into your purse or pocket and not been able to find them. Maybe you gave your spare to your kids, and they lost the key. Whatever the reason is, it might be a good idea to get some copies made so you’re not locked out of your home again. Or so your kids have their own key to have the freedom to come and go as they please.
Everything You Need to Know About Key Copying
You should still have your key copied to have a spare just in case. Even if you don’t need to make a copy of your keys, over time, keys will wear down, so it’s important to replace them to make sure they’re working properly. Spare keys are important to have as a backup plan, too, in the event that your keys are so worn down that they stop working or if you lose them. Keeping the spare with a neighbor, family member, or close friend is a good idea. Many people leave their spare keys under the front door mat or in a plant by the front door, which could lead to break-ins, leaving your home more vulnerable.
How Long Will It Take to Make a Copy of My Key?
Duplicating a key can take anywhere from five to twenty-five minutes. It’s a pretty quick process. This way, if you’re locked out of your home, you won’t be waiting for too long before you can walk through the door. In the stressful situation where you are locked out of your home, the last thing you may want to do is go out and find the closest hardware store to make you a new key. We’ll come to you and make sure you get into your home in a timely manner. Check out our key copying services here.
How Key Copying Works
Locksmiths use a tool called a key duplicator. They’ll take your original key and put it on the side of the machine with the blade, and put a blank key on the other side, which has an alignment tool. This tool will make sure both keys are lined up to make an accurate replica.
According to Anderson Lock, here’s how people duplicate keys: “The key duplicator is then turned on, and as the original and blank keys move horizontally across the machine, the blade cuts into the blank key, using the original as a sort of template. Afterward, the lock tech will sand the duplicate key for a smooth finish. The final product is a duplicate key that matches the original.” For more information on the actual duplication process, check out this blog on Anderson Locks.
If possible, avoid making a copy of a copy.
It’s important to note that if you have the original key with you, the easier it’ll be to get your key replicated. Obviously, it has been and can be done without the original. If you do lose your key, we can still duplicate it. People lose their original key all the time. The process may be a little more complicated, and the key may not be an exact match to the original, but it’ll still serve its purpose to lock and unlock your door.
According to Anderson Lock, “If you don’t have the original key or it has been too worn down over time, you’ll need to see a professional locksmith who can use a code cutter to identify the groove depths of your lock’s key code. This will inform the locksmith how your key needs to be cut to create the right match.”
Don’t Use A Key Kiosk!
These new key kiosks are popping up everywhere. But they’re a threat to your security. Key kiosks can make a copy of electronic keys so easily. This includes key fobs for apartment and office buildings. According to a CBS news article, it only cost $25 to duplicate an apartment building key fob. Jim Elder, a security consultant, also said that these kiosks have made the ability to copy electronic keys, such as “proximity cards”, to buildings way too easy, which could bring security threats. While going to a key kiosk may seem like a simpler process, it’s not worth the risk. Putting your trust in your local locksmith to copy your keys will guarantee your home stays secure.
You can always go to a hardware store to fix your keys, but many of us live busy lives and simply don’t have the time. Contact us at 919-608-3694 if you need copies of your keys made, and we’ll come to you!