What Tools Are Needed to Be a Locksmith?
If you are thinking about becoming a locksmith, there are a few tools you’ll need to be successful. These include a torsion wrench, a car key programmer, and a tool bag. Although these are the most important, there are many other tools that are needed for a variety of purposes.
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One of the most important tools a locksmith will need is a good set of pliers. These will help you maneuver and bend the various parts of the lock. A set of auto lock cap pliers will come in handy, too.
Another key tool is a hand held scope. The most advanced ones have a laser beam of sorts to allow the user to adjust the tiniest parts. This is especially useful for a lock and safe.
It is also a good idea to have a key extractor. This tool will help you remove a stuck or broken key from a lock. It can also be used to extract a piece of foreign debris from the key slot.
Some locks have a special feature that is a bit more complicated to figure out. For instance, a lock can be picked in either direction. As long as you know what you’re doing, you can make a pretty good job of opening a lock.
One of the smallest tools a locksmith will need is a lock pick. These are usually small, lightweight, and can be purchased in sets of different sizes. To open a more complex lock, you’ll likely need a heavy duty version. Most locksmiths use the simple and effective jackknife pick.
There is more to a lock and safe than meets the eye. These can be made up of hundreds of tiny parts that need to be assembled in the proper order. One way to help with this is to have an installation template. This helps you drill holes in the right order and avoids a lot of damage.
You should also have a lockout kit. This is something you’ll need to do when a customer is locked out. Luckily, a locksmith is trained to do this. In fact, this is the reason a lot of homeowners turn to them in the first place.
Lastly, you should have a key cutter. They can be as simple as a jig or as sophisticated as a computerized device. A lock cutter will allow you to cut the key of your choice out of a lock. However, you should keep in mind that this is one of the more expensive tools a locksmith will buy.
A few other things you’ll need are a caliper, a key duplicator, a key tower, a key shim, and some sort of vice. Having these items can ensure you have the right tools to tackle a wide variety of jobs. Investing in these will serve you well in the long run.
While a locksmith’s tools may not be the most exciting items, they will make your job easier and help you get more done in a shorter amount of time.