Four Reasons to Leave Key Cutting to the Professionals

Business Blog

You can buy key cutting tools online and even cheap machines that promise to copy keys for you. However, in most cases, if you want accurate, well cut keys that really work, you need to turn to a locksmith. These professionals have the tools, training and expertise to cut keys properly every time.

Here are four of the reasons you don't want to cut your own keys and risk making a poor copy:

1. Poorly cut keys may not work.

Locks are relatively complicated. When you stick a key in a lock, the bumps on the key align with a series of pins in the lock. The pins must be properly engaged or the cylinder inside the lock won't be able to turn. If the bumps on your key are improperly shaped or have rough edges, it may not hit the correct drivers, and the lock will not open.

2. Poorly cut keys risk getting stuck.

Once inside a lock, a poorly cut key may easily get stuck. If a high curve on the key gets lodged in a small space inside the lock, it may prove nearly impossible to pull the key out of the lock. At that point, you may need to turn to a professional locksmith to remove it.

3. Poorly cut keys may damage locks.

Whether it gets stuck or not, a poorly cut key may damage the lock. As metal hits metal inside the lock, the key may scratch or start to wear down some of the metal inside the lock. If the lock's key pins or driver pins are damaged, the lock may stop working. Depending on the position the lock is in when it breaks, it may be stuck either in the engaged or unengaged position, neither of which is ideal permanently.

4. Poorly cut keys may cause issues with your car.

In addition to all of the potential issues you can have with poorly cut keys and locks in your home, you can also have issues with poorly cut keys and car ignitions. When you put a key in a car's ignition, it turns the ignition cylinder which in turn engages the ignition switch and the starter. If the key is not properly engaged in the cylinder, it may not hit the switch correctly, and as a result, your car may not function properly.

Want to learn more about why key cutting is best left to the pros? Look for key cutting services in your area.

Share

13 May 2016

Top Business Tips

Hello, my name is Sandra and I live in Australia. This is my new blog which is all about the benefits of planning when operating a business. I am new to the world of business but in the 6 months that I have been running my shop, I have learnt an awful lot. My teacher has been Mr Jones, a local businessman with many years of experience. Mr Jones helped me to plan my budget, source my stock and to negotiate with suppliers. I decided to start a blog to pass on some top tips to others. I hope you find it useful.