Cut keys

[Jeckel]

When re-keying a door where can I get random pre-cut keys, so that I don't have to cut them myself, the machines to cut keys are quite expensive, and I don't want to buy one, are they sold any where?

[Zufra]

Contact your locale locksmith, He’ll probably fix you up whit something..

[raimundo]

Rekeying should be with original keys if possible, random cut keys are sometimes copies of copies of copies, and the specs for the particular cylinder drift away from where they should be.

A typical key cutter, may be set to cut depth correctly, but still after several generations, you may see the width of the cut opening up, and eventually after more generations, this can cut into the depth of the next pins cut

For rekeying, the nearest to original as possible or a knowlegable eye that can see whether the key is a good one to use is necessary. You will need pins also for the new key. So yeah, ask a locksmith, a friendly one if possible, he may set you up with keys and some pins as well.

[jimb]

When re-keying a door where can I get random pre-cut keys, so that I don't have to cut them myself, the machines to cut keys are quite expensive, and I don't want to buy one, are they sold any where?

You did not mention how many or what type, but I sometimes buy factory precut keys on Ebay. They usually come in about 20 matched pairs.

[zeke79]

You might check at your local Lowes, Home Depot, etc if you are in the US as at times they carry rekey kits with all pins required and a couple or few precut keys. All you have to do is key the locks up.

Most of us online will not code cut a key and send it to someone we don't know as it is hard telling if you got the code from stampings on a key that you do not normally have access to etc. It is just a security risk and a legal risk for anyone who may cut the key as it is hard telling what we are giving you access to. Some here will disagree with my opinion on this and that doesnt bother me a bit. If they want to cut them and mail them to you then that is fine with me.

[prag]

Every locksmith has a little bin or box with miscut keys or discarded keys. Just ask nicely and I'm sure they'll give u some.

I usually give mine to children that show an interest in keys. Hell, I'm not using it and if I can score a few brownie points, why not

[raimundo]

Miscut keys are a problem, however locksmiths do jobs such as adding a lock to an already keyed alike system in which they dissassemble the locks and fit them to the required key, leaving them with factory keys for the locks that they have just recombinated. They will typically collect these keys as something different from brass scrap, and still they get enough of them that they would usually have some to sell or offer to a person who is recombinating for himself, if they don't resent the fact that hese doing it. A large shop with plenty of corporate business, will treat the amatuer locksmith customer well, not because hes a bigmoney client, but because he does buy and is a repeat customer. And he should typically be the sort of person who does not interrupt the business when other customers are at the counter, and will not tie up personel unnecessarily with chatter.

[eddiedial]

Rai is right as usual, I've got quite a few (what we call set up keys) left over when we install a new lock to an existing system.I don't think a locksmith would have a problem giving several away, most of mine are KW's but several Schlages as well.I live in a tourist town and most of the condos use Schlage, but about 90% of the homes are Kwikset. Anyway if you look on e-bay I'm sure you can find as many as you want.