Can a locksmith make a key from a lock? Good news for you: Yes, they can! There are a couple of different approaches, from lock impressions to disassembling the lock. Locksmiths have the tools and expertise to get it done right the first time. Even better news? Your locksmith can also make keys from car locks.
And it shouldn’t surprise anyone that out of the things most commonly lost in our homes, from TV remotes to wallets, 28% of those items are house keys.
“Many homeowners (and car owners) don’t realize they can make a new key, even without the original on hand,” said Locksmith, Steven Radja. “If you find yourself stuck in this situation, don’t worry. A locksmith can help.”
In this blog, we’ll get into the ways a locksmith can make a key from a lock, and why you should call a locksmith to get the job done right.
How to Make a Key for a Lock Without the Key: The Top 4 Methods
1. Lock Disassembly
First, we have the method of lock disassembly. Your locksmith can take apart your lock, examine the cylinder, and use the pins inside as a guide to cut a new key.
With the lock disassembly method, the locksmith starts by removing the lock from your door. Once the lock is off, it’s time to get to the heart of the matter—the lock cylinder. The locksmith carefully takes apart the cylinder, revealing the pins inside. These pins are the secret to your lock, each one unique, creating a pattern that only your key can match.
Your locksmith then has access to the pins and they can start working. They use a key blank and a key cutting machine. The pins serve as a guide, telling our locksmiths exactly where to cut.
Finally, once the new key is cut, it’s time to put everything back together. The lock is reassembled, and the new key is tested.
2. Impressioning
Second, there’s the technique of impressioning. Your locksmith inserts a blank key into your lock and turns it. The pins inside the lock mark the blank key. Our locksmiths then file down the key at the marked points until it can turn the lock smoothly.
Your locksmith starts with a blank key. This key is inserted into the lock and gently turned. The pins inside the lock leave tiny marks on the blank key, creating a map for your locksmith to follow. Next, they file down the blank key at the marked points. The goal is to shape the key so it aligns perfectly with the pins inside the lock.
This process of impressioning, marking, and filing is repeated until the key can turn the lock smoothly. Finally, once the key turns the lock smoothly, it’s tested several times to ensure a perfect fit. And there you go. You have a new key, crafted from the lock itself.
3. Key Decoding
Key decoding is a precise art. Our Quicksmith locksmiths use a specialized tool called a key decoder. This tool measures the size and shape of the pin tumblers in your lock cylinder.
Once the decoder has done its job, it’s time for the real magic to begin. Our locksmiths use the information from the decoder to cut a new key.
Your locksmith uses the information from the decoder to cut a new key. So, the next time you’re locked out and wondering, “Can a locksmith make a key without the original?” remember the art of key decoding. It’s just one of the ways Quicksmith ensures you’re never locked out for long.
Why more and more homeowners and drivers skip the hassle and call their local locksmith…
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4. Using a Code Cutter
What’s interesting about code cutters? They’re able to use a key to the exact specifications revealed by the decoder. Our locksmiths enter the code, and the machine gets to work, cutting the key to exact specifications.
This whole process starts with a code. For example, some locks have a code number stamped on them, a unique sequence that tells the locksmith the exact specifications for cutting a new key. This code is the blueprint, the guide that the code cutter follows.
Once the code is obtained, it’s input into the code cutter. This machine then cuts the key blank to the exact specifications of the code, creating a series of notches and grooves that match the lock’s internal mechanism.
| Tip Keep in mind that cutting a key to code may not work for every kind of lock, especially if you no longer have access to the original key. The code your locksmith might need in this instance, called the bitting code, might need to be found through investigating the lock model. |
Making a Car Key Without the Original
Though most of the focus above has been on home keys, if you’re stuck in the same situation without a car key, you’re in luck. Your locksmith can also make you a new car key with similar methods.
Your locksmith begins with your car’s lock cylinder, using a specialized tool to decode the lock, revealing the unique pattern of the pin tumblers inside. This information serves as a blueprint for your new key.
Once the decoding is complete, our locksmiths use a key cutting machine to create your new key. This machine cuts the key blank to the exact specifications of the decoded lock, creating a series of notches and grooves that match your car’s lock mechanism.
Skip the Stress of Making Your Own Keys—Call Quicksmith
It’s a delicate dance of precision, expertise, and advanced techniques. You can skip the hassle and just call Quicksmith.
With over 10 years of experience, we take pride in being your trusted, reliable, and fast locksmith service in the western suburbs of Chicago. We’re not just locksmiths, we’re key creators. We’re ready to get you back inside where you belong, anytime, day or night.Get the keys you need, when you need them. Contact Quicksmith today.