Key Duplication in Claremont, CA

What does key duplication involve?

A key is a set of cut depths along a blade. A copy only works if those depths, the spacing between them, and the shape of the blade match the original closely enough for the pins inside the lock to line up. Done well, the copy slides in and turns like the original. Done badly, it catches, wears the lock, or works only if you jiggle it.

We cut house keys, apartment keys, office keys, mailbox keys, and duplicate deadbolt keys for homes and businesses across Claremont. We also handle high security and restricted keys, which follow different rules. This page explains what to expect, what changes the cost, and how to get a spare house key made without a long drive.

Why do some copied keys fail to work?

Most bad copies come back to three causes. The first is copying a copy. Every duplicate adds a little error, and a key cut on a tired machine passes that error along. If you hand us a third-generation key, we will often suggest cutting from the original instead.

The second is wear. A house key carried daily for years has rounded edges and shallow cuts, and a straight copy reproduces the wear. A careful technician checks the key against the lock itself and cuts to proper specifications when the wear is bad.

The third is the wrong blank or sloppy finishing. Keyways look alike across brands, and a blank that is nearly right can slide in without turning the lock. Burrs left from cutting also drag brass shavings into the cylinder. We deburr and test every key before it leaves our hands.

How do we make a duplicate key, step by step?

The process is the same whether you walk into our storefront or meet one of our vans. The details change with the type of key.

1. Identify the key: brand, keyway, and whether it is a standard, high security, restricted, or chip-equipped key.
2. Inspect the original for wear, bends, and cracks, and decide whether it is a good enough pattern to copy from.
3. Match the correct blank, because the keyway and profile have to fit your lock rather than merely look close.
4. Cut the key on a machine set up for that blank, tracing the original or cutting by code where the lock allows it.
5. Deburr and polish the new key so it does not scrape or leave shavings in the lock.
6. Test it. On site we try it in your actual lock; at the storefront we test against the original and a test cylinder.
7. Hand it over with plain advice on how many copies make sense and whether rekeying would serve you better.

Which kinds of keys can we duplicate?

Most keys are straightforward. A few need extra care or extra paperwork, and we will tell you which is which before we start.

• House and spare house keys: front door, back door, and side gate keys cut from your working original.
• Duplicate deadbolt keys: often a different keyway from the knob lock, so we match each one rather than assume.
• Apartment key copies: we ask that the key be yours to copy, and many leases require manager approval before extras are made.
• Office and commercial key duplication: single keys and keys within a master key system, which often have stricter rules about who may order copies.
• Mailbox key duplication: small, simple keys that are easy to lose. If your lock needs replacing instead, see mailbox lock replacement. Locks controlled by the post office are theirs to key, not ours.
• High security key duplication: keys with milled or complex cuts usually need specialized machines and sometimes authorization. See our high security locks page for how those systems work.
• Restricted key duplication: patent-protected keyways are limited on purpose. We ask for proof of authorization, and some can only be ordered through the manufacturer, which takes longer.
• Car keys: a plain metal key can be cut like any other. A key with a chip inside also needs programming, and what your vehicle requires depends on make, model, and year. We confirm by VIN and in person rather than guessing over the phone, and if your car turns out to be dealer-only, we will say so. Details are on our transponder key programming page.

What affects the cost of duplicate keys?

We do not quote numbers on a web page because the work varies too much, but the factors are easy to explain. A plain brass house key is usually the more economical route. Costs rise as the key gets more specialized.

Here is what moves the cost:

• Key type: standard, high security, restricted, or chip-equipped keys each involve different blanks, machines, and time.
• Blank availability: unusual or older blanks may have to be sourced.
• Condition of the original: a worn or damaged key may need to be cut by code or from the lock instead of by tracing.
• Quantity: several copies cut in one visit are more economical than separate trips.
• Authorization: restricted systems add steps, and sometimes manufacturer lead time.
• Where the work happens: coming to our storefront is the lighter-cost option; a van visit adds travel but saves your time.
• Programming: any key that needs to communicate with a vehicle is priced as cutting plus programming.

Key duplication in Claremont: the Village, Claraboya, and the Colleges

Claremont's housing varies a lot, and that changes what a spare key job looks like. Around Claremont Village and the Russian Village District, many homes are older, and owners often prefer to keep original or period hardware rather than replace it. Duplicating a key for an old lock is usually the better path there than swapping the lock, though we check the original carefully because decades of wear make a straight copy risky. In 91711, a worn original is a common starting point.

Near the Claremont Colleges, the typical case is off-campus student housing. Keys change hands each year, and a stack of copies from past tenants is common. We can cut extra keys for current residents, but if you are unsure who else holds a copy, lock rekeying usually makes more sense than making more keys. Landlords handling several units can look at our locksmith for landlords page.

Claremont Village merchants have a different need: extra keys for staff, a seasonal worker, or a manager. For shops and offices, we do commercial locksmith work and can keep those keys organized so you know who has which.

In Claraboya and other hillside neighborhoods, a spare house key placed with a trusted neighbor or family member can be the difference between a quick fix and a long wait. If you want a spare, have it cut before you need it.

Climate matters too. Claremont's foothill summers are hot and dry, with strong Santa Ana winds. Heat makes wood doors expand, so a bolt can bind and a key seems to be the problem when it is not. Wind-driven debris can also get into keyways. If a freshly cut key feels stiff, we will check the door as well as the key.

Can we come to you for mobile key duplication?

Often, yes. Claremont is about 44 miles from our Westwood storefront, so many customers prefer that a van comes to them. Our mobile locksmith service lets us cut a key on site, test it in your own lock, and fix any fit problems before we leave.

That is the real advantage of mobile key duplication: the key is tested where it will be used. A key that works on a test cylinder can still bind in a door that has shifted over the years. If you would rather bring the key to us, the storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood is open to walk-ins, and our phone line is answered 24 hours a day at (213) 577-1366.

Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for spare keys?

We have been in business since 1987, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. That is a lot of keyways, and a lot of old locks that do not behave like the textbook examples.

We are one company with a storefront and our own mobile vans. There is no dispatch middleman between your call and the person cutting your key. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

One more thing worth knowing: California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for theirs before they work on your locks, including us.

What should you have ready before you call?

A few details speed things up and prevent a wasted trip:

• The original key, if you have it, and an honest note on how worn it is.
• What the key opens: front door, deadbolt, mailbox, office, or vehicle.
• Any markings on the key, such as a brand name or a restricted-key stamp.
• For cars, the make, model, year, and VIN.
• Proof that the key is yours or that you are authorized, especially for apartment, office, or restricted keys.

More locksmith help in Claremont

• Change Locks in Claremont
• Deadbolt Installation in Claremont
• Gate Lock Repair in Claremont
• High Security Locks in Claremont
• Lock Installation in Claremont
• Lock Rekey in Claremont
• All services in Claremont

Key Duplication near Claremont

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