Access Pros Locksmith handles specialty key copying in Norcross, GA including tubular, magnetic, pantographic, and multi-point keys. If your key does not look like a standard house key and every shop you have tried has turned you away, we have the equipment to copy it correctly. Same-day service available. Call (678) 996-5748.
Specialty keys are the ones that fall outside what a hardware store kiosk can handle. They require different blanks, different cutting machines, and in some cases different measurement techniques entirely. Knowing which type you have is the first step to getting an accurate copy made.
What Are Specialty Keys and Why Are They Harder to Copy?
They Require Equipment Most Shops Do Not Have
Standard key cutting machines are built for the most common residential and automotive profiles. Specialty keys like tubular or pantographic types require dedicated machines with different cutting heads, different measurement methods, or both. A shop that does not carry the right equipment cannot produce an accurate copy regardless of how experienced the technician is.
The Blanks Are Not Widely Available
Specialty key blanks are not stocked at hardware stores. Tubular key blanks, magnetic key blanks, and multi-point key blanks are sourced through professional locksmith suppliers. Our residential locksmith team maintains a broad inventory of specialty blanks to cover the most common types found across Norcross and the surrounding Atlanta metro area.
Errors Are More Consequential
With a standard key, a minor cutting error might cause slight stiffness in the lock. With a specialty key, the same error can render the key completely non-functional. Tubular locks in particular have tight tolerances where small measurement inaccuracies prevent the key from engaging the pins at all. Accuracy matters more, not less, with these key types.
Types of Specialty Keys We Copy in Norcross
Tubular Keys
Tubular keys have a hollow cylindrical shape with cuts arranged in a circle around the tip rather than along a flat blade. They are commonly found on:
- Bicycle locks and cable locks
- Vending machines and ATMs
- Certain cabinet locks and display cases
- Some older elevator controls and utility meters
- Cam locks on filing cabinets and mailboxes
Copying a tubular key requires a tubular key cutting machine that measures the depth of each pin position around the circumference of the tip. Standard flat-blade cutting machines cannot produce these keys at all.
Magnetic Keys
Magnetic keys use embedded magnets rather than physical cuts to operate the lock. The magnets inside the key align with magnetic pins inside the cylinder. When the alignment is correct, the lock opens. When it is not, the lock cannot be turned regardless of how the key profile looks.
Copying a magnetic key requires reading the polarity and position of each embedded magnet, then producing a duplicate with matching magnet placement. This is a specialized process that most general locksmiths are not equipped to handle. We copy magnetic keys for homeowners and property managers across Norcross who have installed magnetic lock systems for enhanced security.
Pantographic Keys
Pantographic key cutting uses a tracing arm that follows the profile of an original key and simultaneously cuts the blank to match. This method is particularly useful for:
- Unusual key profiles that do not match standard cutting machine templates
- Older or discontinued key types where templates are no longer available
- Keys with complex or irregular cuts that require direct tracing rather than coded programming
If you have an older home in Norcross with original hardware from a previous decade, pantographic cutting is often the most reliable way to produce an accurate duplicate when the key profile is no longer in common production.
Multi-Point Keys
Multi-point keys feature cuts on more than one surface of the blade. Standard keys are cut along a single edge. Multi-point keys may have cuts on both edges, on the flat face, on the sides, or in combinations of all of these. They are common in:
- European-style entry doors
- Higher-end residential installations
- Some commercial access systems
- Multi-point locking door hardware, where a single key engages bolts at the top, middle, and bottom of the door simultaneously
Copying multi-point keys requires confirming the exact profile across all cut surfaces before selecting a blank. Bringing the original key and any documentation that came with the lock hardware speeds up the process considerably.
Standard Key Copying for Reference
For everyday residential keys, our lock rekey service and standard key cutting are available as well. If you are unsure which category your key falls into, bring it in or describe it when you call and we will identify it before you make the trip.
What to Bring When You Come In
The Original Key
Specialty key copying should always be done from the original where possible. Each generation of copying from a copy introduces small errors. With tight-tolerance specialty locks, those errors compound quickly and produce keys that fail to operate reliably.
Lock Documentation
If your lock came with a key card, serial number, or manufacturer documentation, bring it along. Some specialty key systems can be duplicated using coded information from the manufacturer even if the original key is worn or partially damaged.
A Description of the Lock
If you are unsure of the key type, knowing the lock brand, where it is installed, and what it secures helps us confirm the correct blank and cutting method before we start. A photograph of both the key and the lock face is useful if you are calling ahead.
How Much Does Specialty Key Copying Cost in Norcross, GA?
Here is what homeowners and property managers across the Atlanta metro area typically pay:
- Tubular key copy: $15 to $40 per key
- Magnetic key duplication: $30 to $75 per key
- Pantographic key cutting: $20 to $50 per key
- Multi-point key copy: $30 to $75 per key
According to the Associated Locksmiths of America, specialty key requests account for a growing share of residential locksmith calls as homeowners invest in more varied and sophisticated lock hardware. If you are also looking to upgrade your entry hardware, our lock change service and commercial locksmith teams are available for full consultations across Norcross.
Get Your Specialty Key Copied in Norcross Today
If every shop has turned you away, the right equipment makes all the difference. Call Access Pros Locksmith at (678) 996-5748 for specialty key copying in Norcross, GA including tubular, magnetic, pantographic, and multi-point keys. We serve homeowners and property managers across the Atlanta metro area. Reach us through our contact page to confirm we carry the correct blank for your key before you come in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a tubular key copied in Norcross, GA?
Hardware store kiosks cannot copy tubular keys. A licensed locksmith with a dedicated tubular key cutting machine is the correct option. We handle tubular key copying in Norcross for bicycle locks, vending machines, cabinet locks, and other applications. Call ahead to confirm we have the right blank in stock.
How does a magnetic key work and can it be duplicated?
A magnetic key uses embedded magnets to align with magnetic pins inside the cylinder. When the magnet positions match, the lock opens. Duplication requires reading each magnet’s polarity and position and producing a matching copy. This is a specialist process. We handle magnetic key copying for homeowners across Norcross who use magnetic lock systems.
What is pantographic key cutting and when is it used?
Pantographic cutting uses a tracing arm to follow the profile of an original key and cut a blank to match simultaneously. It is used for unusual or discontinued key profiles where standard cutting machine templates no longer exist. It is particularly useful for older homes with original lock hardware from previous decades.
Can you copy a multi-point key in Norcross, GA?
Yes. Multi-point keys require confirming the cut profile across all blade surfaces before selecting a blank. Bring the original key and any lock documentation you have. We handle multi-point key copying for European-style doors and higher-end residential installations throughout Norcross.
How do I know what type of specialty key I have?
Look at the shape of the key tip and blade. A circular hollow tip is tubular. A flat blade with cuts on more than one surface is multi-point. A key with no visible cuts at all may be magnetic. If you are unsure, call us at (678) 996-5748 or bring the key in and we will identify it on the spot before recommending the right copying method
