Can a Locksmith Make a Key Without the Original?

Yes. There are three common ways a locksmith does this in Chapel Hill, NC:

1. Decoding the lock — disassemble the cylinder, read the pin heights, then cut a key to that bitting. Works on virtually any residential lock.

2. Impressioning — file a blank against the lock and read the marks the pins leave behind. A skilled locksmith can impression a working key in under 15 minutes.

3. Code cutting — if you have the original key code (often stamped on car keys or supplied by the manufacturer), the locksmith cuts to that code on a precision machine.

For cars, the locksmith additionally programs the new key/fob to the vehicle's immobilizer using OEM-grade scan tools.