That being said, not every location and MinuteKey booth offer to copy all types of keys. MinuteKey can clone the most common keys brands, such as: Insert your key into the machine, follow the step-by-step instructions, and with the push of a button, you'll have a new key. MinuteKey kiosks have a user-friendly touch screen and use a laser imaging system and robotic technology to copy keys quickly and easily. The cost for most house keys falls between $2 and $5 per key, and it takes about 2 minutes to duplicate each key. What this means is that if you give a temporary roommate a key to your house you can rest assured that they cannot get it duplicated by anyone but me, and I will require ID and a signature matching that on the card signed when the original keys were provided.Walmart offers self-service key copying through a 3rd party kiosk called MinuteKey, which acts similar to a vending machine. I have an exclusive sidebar code* within the state of Arizona. Medeco, on the other hand relies on only one set of pins and the rotation of those pins. Operating on cuts on the side of the key to form the second portion of their double-locking system. Another reason is that ASSA locks utilize a second set of pins I've seen a lot of broken Medeco keys and have never seen any broken Assa Keys. First the keys are a lot stronger than those made by say Medeco. I specialize in ASSA® high security locks for a couple reasons. High security locks and cylinders are somewhat pricey, however the peace of mind and level of physical security that they provide are well worth the extra expense. But again, the 'regular' cuts have to be correct AND the sidebar cuts have to be correct for the cylinder to operate. Schlage Primus is similar to Assa Twin but there are a few differences. In the case of this key, the cuts are R-L-L-C-C-C. Raised to the correct height in order for the cylinder to operate. The pins have to be rotated to the correct angle as well as being Instead Medeco uses unique chisel shaped pins with a slot milled into the side of them. The Medeco lock also incorporates a sidebar inside the cylinder, but there are no special cuts on the side of the key like Assa Twin and Schlage Primus.

It is not possible to get ASSA high security key blanks without the sidebar code already cut. All ASSA high security key blanks have the sidebar code cut on them at the factory. *Sidebar Code - The cuts on the side of the key blank that operates the sidebar pins that provide the double-locking feature in an ASSA Cylinder. Only customers whose signatures are on the card kept on file in my shop can order duplicate keys and only after signing a restricted key order form. an Assa Twin key and they return it to you that they have NOT gotten it duplicated. What this means to you is that if you give an employee, housekeeper, babysitter, etc. My company has been assigned a unique sidebar for this region so if you want high security Assa Twin cylinders I can guarantee no one in the area other than Locksmith Charley will be able toĭuplicate them. Says 'ASSA locks employ a patented dual locking mechanism that renders the lock virtually pick proof.' and personally I believe them. If either the sidebar cuts are wrong or the 'regular' cuts are wrong then the cylinder will not turn. If all of the 'regular' cuts on the key are correct as well then the plug will be able to turn. When the sidebar pins are all raised to match the unique sidebar within the lock the Inside the locks there is a set of pins called sidebar pins that interact with those millings. Some of the better known ones are Assa Twin®, Medeco®, and Schlage Primus®.Īssa Twin® - as you can see by the picture above the Assa Twin key has some cuts milled into the side of the blade of the key. There are a variety of types of high security cylinders made by several different companies. High security cylinders are made to be 'virtually' pick-proof and usually have hardened steel inserts in them to help prevent physical attack by drilling. Most residences have ordinary security locks such as Kwikset®, Weiser®, Weslock®, Dexter®, EZ-Set®, etc.Įven such honored brands as Schlage®, Corbin®, Russwin®, Baldwin®, and others are usually equipped with 'ordinary security' cylinders - even in their grade 2 and grade 1 offerings. There is still absolutely no way to make them more drill resistant.Ĭonsumer expendable (ie 'throw-away' locks) Insertion of 'mushroom' or 'spool' top pins (or drivers) While it is true that ordinary security locks may be made more pick resistant by Ordinary security locks most often can be readily picked open or very easily compromised by drilling.

In residential or commercial door lock applications there are 2 distinct types of locks - ordinary security and high security. This page contains an explanation of the differences between'Ordinary' security locks and High Security locks and also explains the some of the differences in various grades of locks.

Primus do not duplicate key