Losing your house keys is more than just an inconvenience; it can disrupt your entire day and even pose security concerns. Instead of panicking or facing the high costs of emergency locksmith services, understanding Where To Make Key Copies beforehand can save you time, money, and stress. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about key duplication, ensuring you’re prepared before you need a spare.
Key Cutting vs. Key Copying: What’s the Difference?
While often used interchangeably, “key cutting” and “key copying” have slight differences primarily in their versatility. Key copying, or key duplication, requires an original key to create a duplicate. The process uses the existing key as a template to replicate its unique cuts. On the other hand, key cutting can refer to creating a key from scratch, sometimes even without an original. However, cutting new keys without an original, especially for homes, is a complex and time-consuming process, often best left to professional locksmiths, and might even necessitate lock replacement if security is a concern. For most everyday needs, key copying is the faster, simpler, and more readily available solution for getting spare keys.
The Key Duplication Process: How it Works
Key duplication is a straightforward process performed using a specialized key duplication machine. This machine is designed with two main clamps: one to securely hold your original key and another to hold a blank key of the same type. The machine precisely traces the pattern of the original key. A cutting blade then moves according to this tracing, carefully shaving away material from the blank key to match the exact grooves and ridges of the original. Once the cutting is complete, many machines also include a deburring or polishing step to smooth out any sharp edges, ensuring your new key is easy to use from the moment you get it. This efficient process is why making key copies is so quick and convenient.
Types of Key Blanks for Replacement Keys
When you go to make key copies, you’ll encounter various types of key blanks. The most common are cylinder key blanks, widely used for homes and businesses. Ace Hardware, for instance, offers a broad selection of these blanks, ranging from standard, durable metal options to more personalized and decorative keys that add a touch of style to your keychain. These blanks come with different head materials, including metal and plastic. Plastic heads are often available in various colors, which can be a handy way to differentiate keys for various doors or family members at a glance.
To ensure a successful key duplication, it’s crucial to choose the correct key blank type that matches your original key. While cylinder keys are the most prevalent, other types like bit and barrel key blanks exist, although they are less common in modern residential settings.
Cylinder Key Blanks
Cylinder key blanks are the workhorse of the key world. Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of locks, from front doors and padlocks to even some automotive keys. Characterized by their bow (the head of the key) and a long blade, cylinder key blanks are designed to receive “V” shaped cuts along the blade’s edges. These cuts are precisely aligned to interact with the pins and drivers within cylinder locking mechanisms, enabling the lock to open when the correct key is inserted.
Bit and Barrel Key Blanks
Bit and barrel key blanks represent a more specialized category. Both are tubular metal blanks, but they differ in their shaft structure. Barrel blanks feature a hollow shaft with an opening at the tip, whereas bit blanks are solid throughout and lack this opening. Often resembling antique “skeleton” keys, bit and barrel keys are less frequently used for modern security purposes and are now more commonly found in decorative applications, antique furniture, or older buildings. If you need to copy these types of keys, it’s especially important to find a provider with the right blanks and expertise.
Convenient Locations: Where Can You Make Key Copies?
Now, to answer the essential question: where to make key copies? Luckily, finding a place to duplicate keys is usually quite easy. Your local hardware stores are often the most convenient and accessible option. Ace Hardware is a prime example, providing key duplication services at most of their locations. These stores typically have the necessary key cutting machines and a wide assortment of key blanks to handle most common key types.
Supermarkets and home centers may also offer key copying services, often as part of their broader customer service offerings. For specialized keys, or if you are unsure of the type of key you need, visiting a dedicated locksmith might be beneficial. While potentially a bit more expensive, locksmiths possess in-depth knowledge and can handle more complex key types or security systems. However, for standard house keys, visiting your local Ace Hardware is often the quickest and most cost-effective solution for making key copies near you.
To easily find where to make key copies at your nearest Ace Hardware, you can utilize their online store locator. This tool helps you quickly identify your neighborhood Ace store and confirm their key copying services.
Always Be Prepared with Spare Keys
The process of making key copies is remarkably fast. For most standard keys, the entire duplication process at a place like Ace Hardware takes just a few minutes – often five minutes or less. This minimal wait time is a small investment compared to the significant hassle and potential costs associated with being locked out of your home or office. Having spare keys readily available provides peace of mind and can save you from stressful situations.
Before you experience the inconvenience of lost or misplaced keys, take a proactive step. Visit your local Ace Hardware or another key copying provider today and make key copies of your essential keys. It’s a simple task that can offer substantial benefits in preparedness and convenience.
