The Key Machine Comes to You
Most key cutting needs a shop. Ours is in the van. The computerized key cutting machine on board cuts keys from your existing key, from a key code, or from the car’s lock when there’s no key at all. That means we can cut a key in your driveway, at your work parking lot, or wherever the car is.
Types of Keys We Cut
- Standard edge-cut keys found on older cars and trucks
- Laser-cut (high-security) keys with a groove milled into the side of the blade, used on many Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and other models
- Flip-key blades that fold into the remote
- Emergency blades hidden inside smart key fobs
- Fleet and work-van keys, like the Ford Transit Connect keys we’ve cut for local fleet vehicles
When You Need a Key Cut
- The key is worn. Old, worn keys stop turning smoothly in the door or ignition. A fresh cut to the original factory depth often fixes a sticky ignition. If it doesn’t, see ignition repair.
- The blade is cracked or bent. We cut a new one before it snaps off in the lock.
- You need a spare. Cutting is the first half of a spare key. Programming the chip is the second. See car key duplication.
- All keys are lost. We cut a new key from the lock or the key code. See car key replacement.
Cutting Is Only Half the Job on Most Cars
If your car is newer than the late 1990s, the key probably has a chip inside. A freshly cut key will turn the lock but won’t start the engine until the chip is programmed. We do the programming at the same visit, so you leave with a key that works.
Vehicle Makes and Models Covered
We cut keys for Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, Jeep, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and more. Recent cutting jobs include a Jaguar XJR smart key blade and a Honda Civic key.
What Key Cutting Costs
A cut-only key for an older car costs less than a key that also needs programming. Laser-cut blades take more machine time than standard ones. Call with your car details for a price, and see typical ranges on our pricing page.
Why Choose Hub Key Services for Key Cutting
- Cut at your car on a computerized machine, not a hand-cranked copier.
- Laser-cut and high-security blades handled in the van.
- Cut to factory specs from the key code when your old key is too worn to copy.
- Licensed and insured, California locksmith license LCO-8291.
Key Cutting FAQs
Can you copy a worn-out key?
Usually we cut from the key code instead, which gives you a key cut to the original factory depth rather than a copy of the wear.
What’s a laser-cut key?
It’s a key with a wavy groove cut into the flat side of the blade instead of notches on the edge. It needs a special machine to cut, which we carry.
Will a newly cut key start my car?
Only if the car has no chip, or once the chip is programmed. We check which kind your car uses and program it at the same visit.
Do you cut house keys?
No. We work only on vehicle keys.
