Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701
Your industry news - first
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What does a locksmith need to clone keys?
by Pete Southern, Lockdecoders
There are many locksmiths and auto locksmiths who clone car keys. Manufacturers have endeavoured to make their machinery user-friendly and have made it a fairly simple process to copy many types of car keys.
There are many entrepreneurs out there - existing "conventional" locksmiths, shoe repairers etc who may be considering expanding their services so that they are a one stop shop for keys. So what does Joe Locksmith need, in basic terms, to set up just to clone car keys?
Broadly, you need a key cloning machine, at least one key cutting machine, some transponder chips and some keys.
Allow me to expand.
For the cloning machine, we would suggest the Key-Crypt Pro (KCP). This machine is probably the most advanced transponder duplicator in the world and it can clone approximately 75% of car keys. The machine is very easy to use and includes a database of all cars and whether the key can be cloned - a useful item if a customer phones and asks if you can clone his key. The machine is modular-based and the cloning package would be needed in this instance. Additional modules may later be purchased if full autolocksmithing capabilities are required.
The Miracle A5 is undoubtedly the most cost-effective key cutting machine on the market at present. Just as computers have got smaller and better so are key cutting machines becoming more efficient. The machine can cut both laser and edge cut car keys. As it is a 3axis machine it has been extended to include (optional) Tibbe and FO19 jaws. This means that the Miracle is doing the work of at least 3 key cutting machines and there is more on the way! An enormous cost saver - and it cuts a really good key too.
Lastly you will need some transponder chips and some key blanks. The Key-Crypt Pro uses 7 different types of chips which are available from Lockdecoders and other retailers. You will need a supply of key blanks, these may be obtained from reputable traders such as SKS, NW Keys or
Advanced Keys.if you need any further help or advice contact:
6th April 2011