Can a Locksmith Make a Lock and Key?

Yes, an experienced locksmith should generally have the ability to make a lock with a key. However, it's important to remember that the steps involved in this process can be difficult even for experienced locksmiths and may require a little patience on the part of the customer or customer. The simple answer to the question, can a locksmith make a key with a lock? It's yes. However, the steps needed to do so are a little more complicated, but they are still feasible if carried out by a locksmith.

Essentially, they involve understanding why a locksmith would need to make a key with a lock and also understanding the ways in which this can be done. Understanding the things that will lead you to ask “can a locksmith make a key with a lock?” is important for several reasons. The main reason is that it will help you avoid putting yourself in a similar situation again. Imagine if your entrance to your house was blocked because you didn't have the key.

Would you want to go through that again? Some people will need to know if a locksmith can make a key with a lock because they have lost the original keys or have broken them in the locks. In the event that a car key does not work, it may be due to improper duplication and require a key cut according to the original factory code. Each of these scenarios will likely leave you with the question: Can a locksmith make a key with a lock? Once you understand the ways in which these scenarios can arise, you'll know how to handle them successfully.

How Can A Locksmith Make A Key With A Lock?

I want to take the time to answer the question that was posed above: can a locksmith make a key with a lock? Before I dive into that, I want to describe how I will approach the answer to this question.

Since there are different keys and different types of locks, a locksmith uses multiple processes to make a key from a lock. I'll start by analyzing these methods and giving them an overview of what a locksmith needs to successfully carry out each process.

Printing A Lock

These locks usually have their key codes stamped on the body of the lock, so all the locksmith has to do is locate the key code and create the key based on that code. Therefore, the locksmith will generally repeat the cycle by moving the blank key in and out of the lock several times. This process doesn't always work because a locksmith won't always have access to the key code they need, especially if they don't have the original key. In short, printing a lock allows the locksmith to make a key from a lock without having to disassemble the entire lock cylinder or rely on decoding the lock.

Using Files

Some locksmiths may choose to use files other than those specified here, but these are probably the most ideal because their features make printing easier.

With brass, a locksmith will easily detect the marks that are made on the blank key when the keys are bound, and will be able to file them much more easily.

Decoding The Lock Cylinder

Locksmiths usually disassemble the entire lock cylinder to try to reverse engineer the key bit based on the alignment and height of the pins inside the lock cylinder.

Opening The Lock

The following are types of locks that many other working locksmiths lack the knowledge, skill, or specialized equipment to open. Due to the absence of an original working key, locksmiths will most likely have to open the lock to properly dismantle it.

Measuring The Cut-To-Cut Dimensions

To determine which blade to use, locksmiths measure the cut-to-cut dimensions needed for the lock. If the lock can be dismantled, a locksmith can decipher the key code and create a key that matches.

Creating A Key Without An Original

In most situations, a locksmith will be able to create a key for a lock, even when there isn't one to copy.

Using Code Cutters

Several code cutters can be used, but each of them works in a way that allows you to cut keys according to general standards of key specifications used in the locksmith industry.