Where Are Keys Made Near Me? 3 Key Options That Are Always Close By

If you need a spare key made, always ensure that it is done by a professional locksmith.

Cutting a key requires the skill and experience of a professional locksmith.

More often than not, those working in the stores lack the expertise to create the exact duplicates.

If you are locked out, be aware of the potential problem, and make sure the key looks as close to the original before you leave.

Finding keys made nearby is not a solution to your problem.

Alternatively, take a look at some key options available to you and examine the different types of keys to determine the one that best suits your needs.

Automated Kiosks

Automated Kiosks sound like a great idea because they are quick, easy, and cheap.

They are often inside the big retail stores or shopping malls, so they are convenient.

And yet, creating a good copy of the key is down to workmanship.

While machines are excellent at carrying out this task, attention to small details might not be enough to make a perfect copy.

Hardware stores

Most hardware stores have locksmith service available too.

They are a step up to Automated Kiosk, but they do not have the expertise of an experienced locksmith.

The Automated Kiosk option can be trusted for a simple copy of a key.

Locksmith store

Google “locksmith near me” will generate a long list of qualified locksmiths near you with the best service and price possible.

A reliable locksmith can save you the hassle and time down the line.

Even without the original copy of the key, they should be able to make a copy for you at a fair price.

Locksmith store

When you Google “locksmith near me,” it will generate a long list of qualified locksmiths near you with the best service and price possible.

A reliable locksmith can save you the hassle and time down the line.

Even without the original copy of the key, they should be able to make a copy for you at a fair price.

Advantages

If you need a quick duplication service near you, the most popular option is online.

Companies like KeyMe have key maker machines that can handle the whole process and use a combination of kiosks and mobile apps.

Take note, that while an automatic key maker is useful, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Let us take a look at this business model to clarify your options.

When you go to a kiosk, the machine will walk you through a copy key.

The machine will help you create and save digital copies of your keys.

On the other hand, the app allows you to store keys on your mobile device and store the code in the cloud.

You can use this code to order keys and deliver them to you or anyone who needs access to a spare key.

The upside to the automated key duplication services is that they are relatively instantaneous.

You can have the replacement in as fast as 15 minutes.

In the event of a lockout, you can have a copy using the app.

All you have to do is drive to the kiosk and pick it up.

Disadvantages

Here are four disadvantages when choosing this service.

Security Risk

KeyMe services pose security risks.

Virtually anyone with access to your keys can take it to the kiosk and make a copy within 15 minutes.

If you saved a code in a KeyMe app and sent it to your friends, they can easily share it.

And, in this digital world, it is highly likely for the cloud-based KeyMe system to get hacked.

There is also the possibility that cybercriminals can access the keys you saved on the app.

Verification Process

To circumvent the security risk, KeyMe has a verification process.

It will record your email address, password, and fingerprint.

While this process is only a protective measure, it can do much.

You also have to explicitly abide by their Terms and Conditions and be responsible for the activities in your account.

Another security option is that KeyMe only requires credit card payment.

Potential for Inconvenience During Lockouts

With KeyMe, you never have to worry about lockouts again.

While this is true, consider that if you need to print a new copy on-demand, you either have the key with you or a copy stored in the app.

Even if you have the copy saved in the app, you still have to drive to the kiosk.

Remember, the kiosk can only reproduce the copy of standard keys.

For instance, if you were locked out of your car or high-security door, the kiosk will ship the keys to your home within a few days.

Not all keys can be copied

Every manufacturer uses a unique design as its template.

If you want a key copied, KeyMe will start with a key blank from the manufacturers to match your key cuts.

KeyMe has limited space to hold key blanks and confines them to the most popular option.

As for high-security key types, KeyMe can duplicate only those with expired patents.

Hardware Stores

Advantages

If you are looking for keys close to you, there are hardware stores nearby.

Depending on the store, you may or may not need somebody to make a key for you.

If you have a lock or a key part, you can always talk to someone who knows how to do it.

Just like KeyMe, you can copy the car key if you have the original key.

Disadvantages

The recommendations of the hardware store staff may vary in quality.

You could be misguided with an uninformed staff.

If you need anything other than duplicating your key, they may not know what you need.

The keys they can copy is limited unless it is simple and exactly what you need.

Professional Locksmiths

Locksmiths do not have space constraints like the automated kiosk duplicator.

When you work with a pro, you will have more options to get replacements from a wide assortment of manufacturers.

At a kiosk, you have options to choose from predetermined options.

However, with the pro who has greater knowledge of keys, he can give recommendations based on your unique situation.

With a professional locksmith, you do not have to store key data and passwords in an app.

Your security and privacy are always protected.

In emergency lockout scenarios, your best option is to call a locksmith who can provide prompt services.

Besides, the quality and craftsmanship of a locksmith exceed the automated kiosk.

And, you can always trust that they will deliver the results you expect.

Disadvantages

If you are looking for keys made near you, search for mobile locksmiths.

Make sure that the locksmith is ready to make the necessary keys.

Not every locksmith specializes in making keys, so they may not have empty keys on hand.

They may not even have the keys to specific niches.

All you have to do is do a little research, and you should make a few phone calls to make sure the technician is up to the task.

Different Types of Keys

The type of key you need determines your options for duplication.

It is always a good idea to have the type of keys you need.

Take a look at the general categories when getting a new key made.

Door Keys Made Near You

The locks you use on door locks for residential and commercial buildings come in two main variations.

There are standard locks that can be completed by almost any store that makes keys near you and everyone else.

More complicated keys will likely limit where you can go to get keys made near you.

Standard Door Keys

A standard door key is what you will find on bottom lock brands.

Many of the more recognizable and acceptable brands of door locks that are not very secure can be considered standard.

Quickset and Schlage keys are some of the most common cylinders, and they are used again for other locks like Defiant and Baldwin.

These are the most accessible keys to make.

If you are looking for these primary keys, you will not have to look far to get these keys made near you.

If there is a place to cut locks, they will cut these straightforward locks.

They will also undoubtedly have enough key blanks to give you what you need, in the number you need.

Ordering blanks for specialized keys or requesting information from manufacturers will not slow down the process.

The cutting process will also be fast.

High-Security Door Keys

High-security door keys are locks and keys that provide a high level of key control and resistance to picking.

Key blanks for high-security locks do not come as quickly as standard keys.

Many of them are limited to companies and licensed locksmiths.

They may also need special key cutting machines to make unique cuts, holes, paths, etc.

You will be limited to specific options between limited access and the need for special equipment to have made these keys.

Several high-security keys are made in more accessible locations, but a locksmith will be the safest bet for this type of work.

What are Antique Keys?

Antique keys are bit (having solid shanks) or barrel (hollow) keys.

It is a well-known fact that most antique keys in the United States are for locking compartments or handles.

When looking for antique keys made near you, you may be able to find a construction store with an employee who likely knows how to do it.

The main issue will be seeing a key job that will work.

This job is more of a locksmith job.

Most locksmiths have new blank keys that will match the standard profiles of most antique locks.

Further down the line, you need to find a locksmith familiar with the blacksmith lock.

But when looking for antique keys made near me, a locksmith is the best place to start your search.

Specialty Keys

Items such as vending machines, slot machines, bicycle locks, steering wheel locks may have corrugated locks or corrugated crosses.

Although these locks are not essentially high security even despite some manufacturers, it is not easy to find key manufacturers.

When you google keys made near you, you will almost certainly not find anyone nearby who can give you the keys you need.

Even with oddly shaped keys, it may be challenging to figure out what to look up for.

If you have only non-standard keys, you should start by calling a locksmith.

Car Keys Made Near You

It is a fact that there is currently a lot of variety in car keys.

Between the safety used in classic cars and modern cars, it is not easy to know who will have what you need for your vehicle.

If you are looking for car keys made near you, you are sure they may be close, but will they have what you need?

Note some of the considerations below.

Standard Car Keys

For older vehicles and models at are more economical price, the car key you see is all you need to worry about.

There will be no electronic elements.

All you need is a wide range of keys and a machine that can cut them.

Furthermore, for standard car keys, this will likely mean that you will likely need a traditional key cutting machine or even, in some cases, a laser cutter.

Missing the keys in the car is relatively simple.

It can be done almost anywhere the keys are cut.

Only in case you have a classic or luxury car can you run into problems with easily accessible spaces.

Luxury & Classic Car Keys

It is a well-known fact that the more unique your vehicle is, the more help you will need to find the right blank button for your car.

Even if the place you were looking for has a key that would work, there may not be staff who know the parent companies and a crossover from one vehicle to another.

Furthermore, you risk relying on the untrained eye of an employee without specialist training if you go with the first result when looking for keys made near me.

Be aware of mistakes that you can make with your method of making close keys.

Transponder Keys

For programmed car keys with transponder chips, make sure that this is something you need.

It is not always that obvious that a new car key will require transponder key programming.

Only as long as you know that your car key has a transponder chip and you have a copy of the key you want to copy, feel free to choose any of the car key-making methods made near you.

Whenever you may need the service of a locksmith, you need to make a transponder key from scratch.

Smart Keys

When it comes to a word about the smart keys, we could easily say that similar to transponder keys, copying an entire key is not a problem, but there are several ways to make keys close to you.

Something like replacing a key fog, on the other hand, will require more specialized equipment and knowledge than other options.

When you know you need keys made near me, a locksmith is an excellent choice as they can access your vehicle’s diagnostic port.

This process will likely allow them to make new keys and remove existing keys from the computer car.

In case you have completely lost your car keys, this will prevent someone you find from opening your car and starting it.

The Bottom Line

From all that we have said in this guide, we can easily conclude that between these three options, you can always say that there are keys made near me.

Dealerships are not reliable for the car keys you need.

The car dealership gives you an option for your car keys, but not any other keys you need.

And no matter where you are, these three options will always be closest to you.

But, just because there are places near you where you can get keys made does not mean that they have what you need.

Ensure that you know what you need and choose the best option for your key needs.