Laser cut key cutter - Options?

Congrats on the machine! Glad to hear that the locksmith was such an upstanding businessman - there are such good people out there, and it's always wonderful to run into one.

I'll send you a PM shortly about getting some keys cut! Thanks again for making the PC community even more awesome.

 

PM sent - but it's not showing up in my "sent messages" folder, so just let me know if you didn't get it!

 

Yes indeed - just to confirm, I sent one of my mechanical keys to h00ktern for duplication yesterday. I'll be sure to repost on the experience when I get the copies back, but he's been 100% awesome to work with so far. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

 

h00ktern,
PM sent.

Mine is on it's way.

So far my experience has been very good with PM conversations and his methodology of the process is very well thought out.

He gives a great deal of importance to this effort and has different scenarios to ensure the person gets a key back.

I'll give more info when it returns.

Thanks,
rrg

 

Sorry for the back to back post but the new keys arrived at home.

My review and results for h00ktern on his Prius Laser Key Duplication:

The Key(s) Made Both Work!

1.) I decided to have two keys made. A cheap ebay key blank and a more expensive close to OEM key blank.
2.) The Ebay key has surface imperfections (see pic) like tiny divots and more scratches.
3.) OEM like key is more smooth in finish and matches closer to original in looks.
4.) When I first tried them for the first time they went in a tiny bit more rough. Not 100% silky smooth like original. This I would consider normal on most new, fresh cut keys. The cut edges are sharp and less worn than a used key.
5.) Both keys worked perfectly.

Packaging and Shipping:

Here is what I did:
1.) I had some bubble wrap envelopes that happen to be static free from some PC parts I received. I cut the thin bubble package to 4x6.
2.) Tape the Prius key to the middle of a piece of cardboard.
(Important because most keys will float around in the envelope and poke a hole in the material and fall out in transit.)
3.) Stuffed it in a manila envelope with $$ and with my return address. It's about 4x8 now.
4.) I wrapped and taped the whole thing in flat cardboard (cardboard is thickness of a cereal box) with the Ship to address.
5.) Now you need to have the packaged weighed two times, postage for each way.
6.) One time postage with the cardbard, envelope, key (Ship to) and a 2nd time with the return package alone but with extra keys (use any key from home) on top to get the postage and weight correct on the return.
7.) I paid extra for Delivery Confirmation Receipt .85 cent more (green sticker) NJ to FL. This tells you it got there.
8.) The return manila envelope with the bubble wrap was stamped FIRST CLASS parcel.
9.) I went cheap both ways and no expedited package on it at 2.90oz. Cost me between $5 -$10.
10.) Turn around 8 days.

My Experience With this Transaction

I would have to say 100% satisfaction.
1.) I was given options based on what blanks are out there with different prices.
2.) He provided me with scenarios if I only had one key and no dealer tag. This he explained by holding back an extra key until you confirmed you got delivery of the first one and it worked. Then he would send the second original one out. Extra postage but safer.
3.) With the proper packaging, return package inside, he was able to turn around the work the same day. No delays.
4.) His attention to detail and importance to this effort really gave me a sense of comfort to send my key out to him

Any questions post or PM me.

The Prius Chat site has not let me down with great people I have had transactions with.

Nice job.
rrg.
PS: i covered a part of the key for security issues.
It's unique under that black line.

 

Just to confirm, I got my keys back quite speedily as well. I'm in 100% agreement with what's been said above... On the first couple tries, they keys go into the lock cylinder a bit harder than the ones that came with the car, but after putting them in a few times, it becomes much easier. (Something that is common with any freshly cut keys I think!)

Now I'm living large with multiple spare keys, which just helps to simply life one tiny bit more. h00ktern has been AWESOME to deal with before, during, and after the cutting. He's doing a swell favor for us PriusChatters, and I can't recommend him enough. (Especially when considering that the primary other option is the stealership!) He's become incredibly knowledgable about the nuances of different key blanks and materials, and may well wind up doing a better job than the dealership.

Any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me as well...

 

Greetings! I just got my second set of keys back from h00ktern, and I can report the following...

The new keys that he made (cut with his new, smaller bit) are ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. No joke - they slide into the lock cylinder with no resistance at all, can be inserted in either direction, and lock and unlock the doors smoothly and reliably.

To be honest - I'm very particular about small details - and I can say with 100% certainty that this latest batch of keys he cut for me are completely indistinguishable from the oem mechanical keys that came with my Prius new. They're really that good. Both functionally and visually they are perfect.

ALSO - I opted to have h00ktern cut me a key from one of the flat key blanks (as pictured above), so that I could keep it on a keyring like a traditional key. (The keyfob keys hang awkwardly and take up too much space...) This key works identically to the other new cuts; it's perfect.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with the keys. So if anyone else wants a spare key, definitely hit up h00ktern... In fact - I might even suggest that he change his PC handle to "KeyMaster"... Seriously - the keys are perfect, and he's a swell guy to work with.




----Post Script-----

I understand that these types of lock cylinders are sensitive to small variations, and the first keys he cut for me worked, but took some extra effort to push fully into the lock cylinder. Not so with these new ones - they really are perfect.

In fact - I'm now shocked that NONE of my local locksmiths have one of these machines... I have no idea what one costs, but they're clearly available, and work flawlessly. The two locksmiths I visited have large retail storefronts, many employees, and dedicated service vehicles... Yet they can't be bothered to pick up one of these little machines that can perfectly duplicate the necessary keys for most new cars? Strange. Thankfully for the PC community, h00ktern has picked up the slack - good work man!

 

Hey hook thanks offering to help me in my other thread with the cylinder changing.

You said you were looking for alternative blanks. I just had a locksmith cut me about 5 keys in the emergency size for my taxi fleet. His boss came in asking Wth these are for every day? Just use a Toyo P18. Knowing I was going to be a return customer the locksmith tested it out and it works fine! he let me keep the test one. http://i.imgur.com/sGW5N.jpg

We also had a problem with the emergency keys not going in. You have to file the corner away slightly. http://i.imgur.com/LoL3H.jpg I've marked it here. It's something to do with the hole and something in the door going through it, So it needs a track of sorts

 

That's good you found the larger key head.
I went and bought a Lexus empty fob key for $4.95 shipped from ebay.

JB welded one of my extra key blades in the empty shell head after some dremel work.
It lays vertical in the head not the traditional horizontal, flat way.

I needed to remove a little plastic on the prius key head to ensure it fit and still had plenty of surface for the glue to touch.

Works great with the intended purpose of mits and frozen locks.

I'm hoping to avoid that cold, frozen morning with a dead battery and having to open the door with that toothpick of a key

Thanks again for the great key service.

 

I just receive two mechanical 'laser keys' made for me by 'h00ktern', a member of Prius chat. The keys work perfectly. They are identical in appearance to the original. The cost was very, very modest and the turn around time less then a week.

I have heard on PriusChat that some dealers have quoted/charged $ 100 to duplicate the mechanical/laser key. No need to get ripped off by a dealer when we have a resource like 'h00ktern' (the middle two 'ohs' are numbric'

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/2012-prius-plugin-laser-key.109577/#ixzz1wxaWeu4M

 

hOOktern,
PM sent. New website is not the most intuitive IMO.
It has me guessing if the PM went or not.

 

I wanted to report that h00ktern made 2 laser cut keys for me for my 2012 Prius. They both fit perfectly and the turn around time was amazingly fast. He mailed the new keys back to me on the same day he received the master key from me.

His instructions for sending the master key to him were precise and ensured his receipt and the key's protection. I recommend his service highly. So highly in fact that I am going to have him program a replacement key fob with his Techstream & Mongoose cable.

(If anyone is interested in getting a key fob programmed on Long Island pm me so we can do a group buy).

 

Update: I just got my two extra (brand new) smart key fob programmed at Longo Toyota for a flat fee of $56. This does NOT include cutting the key. My local-ish locksmith in Westminister, OC can cut the keys for $20 each. If you know of a reputable locksmith, then please PM me or make a post. In the meantime, I will call Home Depot/Lowes to see if they can do it for less. Thanks in advance.