When you think about how far we’ve come in the technological realm, key-cutting is probably the last thing that comes to mind. However, like everything else, key-cutting has also seen significant upgrades with time. 

This article will discuss what key-cutting is, the different types of latest cutting machine tech, and how it all works. So, without further ado, let’s get into it! 

What’s Key-Cutting?

It’s OK not to know anything about key-cutting. Most people don’t even think about it until they lock themselves out on accident. 

Key-cutting is a popular method of producing keys, allowing locksmiths to duplicate existing keys or make a new one from scratch. 

These machines are accurate, safe, and perfect for the task. With technological advancements, they’re getting even better and more efficient!

How Has Technology Influenced Key-Cutting?

The biggest tech-influenced change in the field of key-cutting is the use of electronic tools. In the past, everything used to be mechanical — but that’s not the case anymore. 

While electronics have strongly influenced most key-cutting tech, not all key-cutting machines are alike. However, their underlying mechanism tends to be quite the same, aside from differences in a part or two.

One thing’s for sure, keys are here to stay, and people will always need spares. So key-cutting is just as significant as any other field in the world. 

How Do These Machines Work?

Key-cutting has been around for centuries, but the art has been evolved with time. With advancements in technology, everything from a locksmith’s tools, techniques, and procedures have transformed. 

Most changes have been made towards improving the efficiency of cutting machines. They’ve also become a lot simpler to use than before, making them much more accessible to trainee locksmiths.

However, the and old and new machines still work on the same foundation — the copy principle. 

If you are making a copy of an original key, you would start by tracing its teeth on one end of the cutting machine while another part grinds them onto a blank piece. This grinding of replica teeth onto a blank key is called ‘key cutting’ as the pattern gets carved into it.

If you’d like a closer look at how this procedure plays out, check out this Silca Swift duplicator in action.

Final Words: Don’t Try It at Home

While we’re primarily adding this section for your safety, DIY key cutting probably isn’t worth your while anyway. It’s a pretty complicated procedure that requires a locksmithing background to get it right.

Key cutting has an established history of having a high failure rate for untrained people, or even new locksmiths with very little experience.

Just winging it to give it a shot will most likely be a waste of time and resources, and end up being more expensive than hiring a professional locksmith. We’re talking wasted blank keys, errors, and the entire process taking a lot longer than it needs to.

With that in mind, it’s probably best to leave this one to the professionals.