Cut while you wait (when possible)
Most common household and business keys can be copied quickly. If your key type needs a specific blank or extra steps, we will explain the options before we start.
Key Cutting · Shrewsbury
Key Cutting Shrewsbury
Accurate key copies for homes and businesses, cut while you wait where possible, with straightforward advice if your key is worn or hard to copy.
✓Home and business keys
✓Cut while you wait where possible
✓Clear pricing before cutting
Fast, accurate key cutting in Shrewsbury
If you need key cutting Shrewsbury residents can rely on, the main thing is accuracy. A copy that is even slightly off can stick, scrape the pins, or fail when you are in a hurry. We cut keys to match the original as closely as possible, check the copy, and will tell you plainly when the problem is a worn key rather than the cut itself.
We help people every week, and Shrewsbury's locksmith specialists often see keys that have been copied too many times, keys that turn stiffly, or keys that work in one lock but not another. In Shrewsbury, that often comes up in rental properties and shared buildings near the town centre where keys get heavy use, and in older terraces where locks have seen years of daily wear.
Bring your key in, tell us what it is for, and we will confirm whether a straightforward copy is suitable or whether you are better off cutting from a better original to avoid a hit-and-miss result.
What you can expect when you come in for key cutting
Checks for worn or damaged originals
Old keys round off. If the shoulders are chewed up or the cuts have flattened, we will recommend copying from the best-looking original key you have.
Advice on tricky locks
If the issue is the lock rather than the key, you will hear that straight away. A stiff cylinder, misaligned door, or worn latch can make any key feel wrong.
Clear pricing before cutting
You will know the cost before any work starts. Price depends mainly on key type and whether a suitable blank is available.
Careful handling of master and restricted systems
For commercial key systems, we follow the control rules that apply. If a key is restricted, you may need authorisation to order or copy it.
Key types we commonly cut (and what makes them different)
Key cutting covers more than a simple front door key. The best way to avoid wasted copies is to match the key type and the lock it goes with.
Common categories include:
- Yale-style cylinder keys: Typical house and flat keys. These copy well when the original is in decent condition.
- Lever lock keys: Often larger, with a long shaft, and common on internal doors and some older external doors. They can be more sensitive to wear and bending.
- Dimple and high-security style keys: These often need specific blanks and careful alignment when cutting.
- Office and commercial door keys: Sometimes part of a key system, where the right blank and profile matters as much as the cut.
If you are not sure what type you have, bring the key along. A quick look tells us the profile and whether your key has any copying restrictions.
Practical tip: if your lock is fussy, bring two originals if you have them. Cutting from the best original reduces the risk of making a clean copy of a worn key.
How our key cutting works
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01
Identify the key and check the condition
We confirm the key type, the blank needed, and whether the original is worn, bent, or heavily copied.
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02
Cut the key using the correct blank and machine setup
We align the original and blank carefully and cut to match the original. Good alignment is what stops shallow or overcut teeth.
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03
Finish and check
We brush off burrs and check the profile and shoulders. If you can test the key promptly, that is ideal, especially for older locks.
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04
Advice for better reliability
If the copy is right but the lock still feels rough, we will point you to likely causes such as cylinder wear, door alignment, or a sticking latch so you can fix the real issue.
How Much Does Key Cutting Cost in Shrewsbury?
Key cutting in Shrewsbury typically costs about £5 to £15 for a standard house key, with more specialised keys often around £15 to £40+ depending on the blank and key type. If a key is restricted or needs a less common blank, the cost can be higher.
Your final price mainly depends on the type of key, whether you have a clean original to copy, and whether the correct blank is in stock. We confirm the cost and what is possible once we have seen the key in person.
Typical key cutting work we handle
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Key cutting Shrewsbury: questions people ask before ordering copies
Can you cut a key if mine is worn and only works sometimes?+
Yes, but the result depends on the quality of the original key you provide. If the teeth are rounded or the shoulder is damaged, a new copy may repeat the same problems, so we will try to copy from your best original and explain the likelihood of success before cutting.
How long does key cutting take while I wait?+
Many standard keys can be cut in minutes once the correct blank is available. More specialised keys can take longer, and if the key type is uncommon we may need to source the correct blank first.
Do you cut keys for landlords and letting agents in Shrewsbury?+
Yes. If you are managing multiple properties, we can cut sets of keys, label them clearly at handover, and help you reduce issues caused by worn originals that have been copied repeatedly over the years.
Can you copy restricted or security-marked keys?+
Sometimes, but many restricted keys require authorisation, such as a security card or written approval, and the correct controlled blank. Bring what you have with you and we will confirm what can be done legally and reliably.
Why does a new copy work in one door but not another?+
That usually points to differences between the locks, not the cut. In older properties it is common for one cylinder to be more worn, slightly misaligned, or tighter than the other, so a marginal key that turns in one lock can bind in another.
Is it better to cut multiple copies at the same time?+
Yes, if your original key is in good condition. Cutting several copies from the best original in one visit helps keep consistency and avoids the gradual quality loss that can happen when copies are made from copies.
Need a spare key cut today?
Bring your key in and tell us what it is for. We will confirm the key type, check the condition of the original, and cut accurate copies with clear pricing before we start.