Losing your house or car keys is a terrible feeling. You'll be highly inconvenienced until you secure a replacement set, and it might seem like an impossibility if you don't have the originals. Locksmiths can create new keys using a number of methods, getting you back into a safe home. Here are a few things to expect when having new keys made. 

Making New Keys with the Key Code

Locks and keys often come with key codes. These codes are developed by manufacturers and typically appear somewhere on the key or on the lock itself. They may also appear in documentation related to the use and maintenance of the specific lock. If your lost key has a code associated with it, the locksmith can simply look up the code to determine the proper design for the new set. 

Making New Keys Using the Lock Impression

Locks have internal cylinders with pins that require a specific key configuration to open. When the pattern on the key matches the pin pattern, the door will unlock. A lock impression determines the internal pin configuration needed for fashioning a new key. 

To determine the lock impression, a blank key is inserted into the door and turned. This marks the blank with the specific pin configuration so the new key can be filed down to match. It often takes a few tries to get the pin configuration right on the blank. Your locksmith will meticulously file down the blank to ensure it's an exact match. 

Making New Keys via Disassembly

If there is no key code and the lock impression is unsuccessful, disassembly is another option. The locksmith will take apart the lock to view the pin configuration. From there, they can cut a new key to match. While effective, this process is much more labor-intensive, so it's usually reserved as a last resort. 

Key and lock issues are best handled by a skilled and experienced locksmith like those at Jim's Bike & Key Shop in Columbia, MO. They have provided exemplary services to customers since 1977 and are equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to handle both older and newer lock technology. Learn more about their services on their website or by calling (573) 442-7011.