Locksmith Starter Bundles
You're ready to dive into automotive locksmithing, welcome to the grind! I’m not here to sell you dreams. I’m here to show you what you actually need to build a solid, reliable start-up bank, the kind that gets the job done and starts putting money in your pocket from day one.
1. KEYS – Your Bread & Butter
You can’t program what you don’t have. You can’t cut what’s not in your box.
Start with these key types, and you’ll be ready to service 80–90% of common jobs.
Test Keys / Key Shells
Cheap blanks used for test cuts and fit checks. You don’t want to burn a $30 smart key just to find out your cut was off. These save you money and embarrassment.
Universal Keys (For Advanced Users)
One key that can be programmed across multiple models. Perfect if you're mobile and don't want to carry 100+ key types. They need proper programmers to work with, more on that below.
Check out our separate guide on Universal Keys Here.
Transponder Keys (Chip Keys)
These are your standard “ignition turns but won’t start” saviors. Inside each is a tiny chip that talks to the car’s immobilizer system. Every car made after the mid-90s uses one. Keep a small stash of common chips (like ID46, 4D, 4C) ready on deck.
Check out our separate blog on Transponder Chips to learn more about each type, or shop all Transponder Chips Here.
Smart Keys, Remote Head Keys, Flip Keys
Now we’re in modern car territory. Push-to-start? Remote lock/unlock? This is where smart keys live. You’ll need different styles depending on the customer’s car make and year.
The more you stock, the more cars you cover, and the more you earn.
You can check out our beginner bundles for exact key models that cover most common cars. Includes all the recommended keys to cover Nissan, Infiniti, Honda, Acura, Ford models and years, as well as the most needed transponder keys and blanks. Avoid overstocking, only get what you need to get you started.
2. PROGRAMMERS: Your Digital Muscle
If keys are your ammo, programmers are your gun.
Autel KM100 or Autel IM508
Budget-friendly, user-friendly, and covers a lot. The KM100 is great for quick, mobile work and universal keys. The IM508 is more robust, you’ll grow into it fast.
Autopropad G3 (Core or Evolution)
This beast covers 90% of US vehicles. Chrysler, Ford, GM, it eats them all. Go with the Basic if you're just starting out. Go Evolution if you want more coverage and diagnostic capabilities. You’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have to tow a car to the dealership.
3. CUTTING MACHINES – From Blanks to Bills
Cutting a key is where the money really starts. No cutting machine? You’re sending your customer elsewhere to finish the job and handing them to your competitor.
Xhorse Dolphin
If you’re mobile, this is your best friend. Bluetooth-enabled, lightweight, cuts high-security and edge-cut keys. Does the job without breaking the bank.
Xhorse - Condor XC Dolphin XP-005
SEC-E9
More of a shop-based tank. Not ideal for mobile techs, but if you’ve got a storefront or planning to set up one, it cuts nearly everything, from laser cut to standard to dimple keys.
How It All Connects
Here’s the typical flow:
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Use a mechanical/test key to get the fit and bitting right.
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Then cut the real deal — a transponder or smart key — using a key code.
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The code? You get it from decoding the lock or using your next best friend...
4. LISHI TOOLS – Your Locksmith X-Ray Vision
If you want to read a lock without destroying it, Lishi is how you do it.
Chinese vs Original
The originals are buttery smooth and last longer. Chinese versions? Half the price and get the job done if you’re careful. Buy what your budget allows, but know you’ll end up with originals eventually if you’re serious.
Why Lishi Matters
Lishi tools let you:
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Decode the lock and pull the key cuts
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Cut a working key without disassembling the lock
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Unlock vehicles non-destructively
Every car make and model has its own Lishi tool. Start with common ones: Ford 10-cut, Toyota 8-cut, Honda, GM, etc. Build out your arsenal as you go.
Final Advice – Build Smart, Not Fast
Don’t try to stock every key and tool out there right away, you’ll go broke. Start by grabbing a few remotes that match the most common cars you’re seeing in your area. As jobs come in, order a few extra remotes with each one and over time, you'll build up your inventory without tying up too much money upfront.
Every tool in this blog connects to the others. A good Lishi helps you decode. That code lets you cut. That key gets programmed. That job gets paid. And that payment? That funds your next tool upgrade.
Stick to this roadmap, and in a few months, you won’t just be in the game, you’ll be making noise.
Need help picking your first tools?
Want a bundle deal to get your start-up bank ready?
Hit us up at Keyless City. We’ve been in your shoes, now we’re here to help you gear up.
