Ask a locksmith (2 Viewers)

[FortyMorty]

What your thoughts on Locksmiths that don't have any sort of business address or store and are "Mobile Locksmiths" with just a phone number. Some of them seem fishy to me.

Careful there, I'm a mobile locksmith! I use my home as a mailing address for my business. Most are just one man operations like me. Some phone numbers advertised as local locksmiths connect you to call centers in Florida or New York. It's pretty easy figure out if a company is not local. If something doesn't sound right, it's probably a scam. Be careful when the person answers the phone using generic terms, like 24 hour locksmith or emergency service. They should say the business name when answering the phone. When in doubt go to ALOA.org to find a registered locksmith company.

 

[FortyMorty]

Abloy deadbolts.

I like them. I recommend any deadbolt that is grade 1. Having keys that are difficult to get unauthorized copies made is a bonus.

 

[pltrgyst]

Even better put a pushbutton lock on that door.

So glad to hear you recommend that! We went pushbutton/combination on our front door when we moved to FL seven years ago, and it's a tremendous convenience. And the one we have takes two codes. With one for ourselves and one for cleaners, etc., we'll never have to change our own code.

What with wireless fobs for the cars, it's great to never have to fumble in your pocket for a key. When we're traveling and have a rental car, keys take getting used to again...

 

[FortyMorty]

Can you pick a lock?

I can pick or bypass most locks quicker than people with a key.

 

[FortyMorty]

I have a problem with a deadbolt lock getting jammed. Commercial door, keyhole on both sides, only from one side, you start turning the key, something is jammed, bolt doesn't come up. I realized on humid days, it doesn't jam. I also learned a week ago, when jammed, you can breath on it like a Nintendo cartridge and apparently it gets lubed enough to work.

Should I just spray into it with a spray lube or such?

That's a weird one. Spray lube on the bolt or latch. Use powdered graphite where the key goes in. Sometimes loosening the locked adjusting it up or down on the door solves the problem. NEVER SPRAY WD-40 OR OTHER WET LUBE INTO KEYHOLES!

 

[FDLmold]

Do you have one of those inflatable thingies that lets you gently pry a car door open so you can use some sort of rod to open it manually when I lock my keys in the car?

 

[FortyMorty]

Can tubular cam locks be re-keyed to all matching? I have a few casino chip trays with cam locks, some with missing keys, and I'd like to have them be the same.

Yes, but it may be easier to replace them. You can find good quality cam locks keyed alike for less than 10 bucks apiece. They come in different lengths, you'll need to remove the lock from the case to measure the housing. You can even get different size cam locks with the same key.

 

[FortyMorty]

Thoughts on 'smart' locks? Keypads, fingerprint scanner locks, or locks that unlock via app? Any recommendations in that category?

I like schlage locks, they have a great lineup. From stand-alone pushbutton to wifi enabled locks. August is great at home automation too. I'm not a fan of fingerprint locks, they are too finicky. If you plan on using them you need to save the prints of more than one finger. You can alter your prints by doing yard work or similar activities.

 

[FortyMorty]

Do you have one of those inflatable thingies that lets you gently pry a car door open so you can use some sort of rod to open it manually when I lock my keys in the car?

Yes of course, I recently saw them for sale at home depot. I use them for a lot of things, they are like having an extra set of hands.

 

[FDLmold]

Cool. I didn't know if they were restricted to tow truck drivers or what not.

 

[WedgeRock]

Install a grade 1 deadbolt,

I didn't know there were different grades. What's the difference?

I like schlage.

Why?

 

[FortyMorty]

Locks are rated by grades. It has to do with how long they can withstand being attacked with simple hand tools. Grade 1 is the best. I prefer schlage because they have a wide variety of finishes and designs. Literally something for everyone. Plus their warranties are better than most.

 

[Emitsu]

How do you even learn lockpicking? Is it through an apprenticeship program?

 

[ReallyGoodUsername]

How do you even learn lockpicking? Is it through an apprenticeship program?

Plenty of online tutorials/videos but I’m assuming some of the more sophisticated locks require special tools/a lot more training than your typical keyed lock. Would love to hear more about it if so @FortyMorty

 

[FortyMorty]

Plenty of online tutorials/videos but I’m assuming some of the more sophisticated locks require special tools/a lot more training than your typical keyed lock. Would love to hear more about it if so @FortyMorty

You're hired! It's like learning anything else, repetition and practice. Most online tutorials are pretty right on.

 

[Schmendr1ck]

NEVER SPRAY WD-40 OR OTHER WET LUBE INTO KEYHOLES!

 

[Emitsu]

Have you ever seen LockPickingLawyer on Youtube? How would you rate his skills?

 

[FortyMorty]

Have you ever seen LockPickingLawyer on Youtube? How would you rate his skills?

He's great! Very thorough in his explanations, he may speak too fast for inexperienced folks to follow. One could always rewind or rewatch if they don't PICK it up the first time.

 

[BarrieJ3]

You mentioned commercial locksmithing, what all does that entail? What aspect of your business is the most lucrative?

I have a mutual friend who just does safe installation and locksmithing, and at a poker game we finally asked how the eff he makes low but solid 7 figures doing it. He explained that every single business, movie theatres, McDonald, grocery stores - all have safes, all mess em up, and all have to call him to break into, fix, or replace and install. No real competition out here or the surrounding states.

Ive always wondered why there’s not many people working in that space.

 

[FDLmold]

He's great! Very thorough in his explanations, he may speak too fast for inexperienced folks to follow. One could always rewind or rewatch if they don't PICK it up the first time.

I see what you did there...

 

[FortyMorty]

You mentioned commercial locksmithing, what all does that entail? What aspect of your business is the most lucrative?

I have a mutual friend who just does safe installation and locksmithing, and at a poker game we finally asked how the eff he makes low but solid 7 figures doing it. He explained that every single business, movie theatres, McDonald, grocery stores - all have safes, all mess em up, and all have to call him to break into, fix, or replace and install. No real competition out here or the surrounding states.

Ive always wondered why there’s not many people working in that space.

Safe work is time consuming. It takes a special kind of person with TONS of patience. The amount of training and practice it takes to specialized in closed door safe work is mind boggling. Once someone is proficient and is willing to maintain their skills they can essentially name their own price. If there is no competition in the area I imagine his company is rolling in it. The epitome of "learn a trade you've got it made."

 

[BarrieJ3]

Safe work is time consuming. It takes a special kind of person with TONS of patience. The amount of training and practice it takes to specialized in closed door safe work is mind boggling. Once someone is proficient and is willing to maintain their skills they can essentially name their own price. If there is no competition in the area I imagine his company is rolling in it. The epitome of "learn a trade you've got it made."

Ahhhh okay, makes sense. Yeah he tends to only do a couple jobs a day, but has never, ever hurt for business. Wasn't quite sure what all went into his knowledge/skill set, but I know that he mentions people call companies all the time, and they come in and basically break/lock down the safe. Then he has to come in, charge 6x what he would've charged to start (he's fair and on the up and up from what I know), and spend half the day literally breaking in.

Edit: Sorry, didn't know if commercial locksmithing had anything to do with it. Couldn't remember what the hell he called what he did, but yeah it was all "safe work".

 

[FortyMorty]

Emergency locksmithing is the most lucrative. If a customer is locked out of a house or car they are crazy happy when you show up. You let them in using tools that have been paid for a hundred time over. You charge a fair price and you are the hero!

 

[dickzapper]

That's a weird one. Spray lube on the bolt or latch. Use powdered graphite where the key goes in. Sometimes loosening the locked adjusting it up or down on the door solves the problem. NEVER SPRAY WD-40 OR OTHER WET LUBE INTO KEYHOLES!

Thanks for the input! Cool thread. Are there any sprays you'd recommend? Any ol' silicone lube should suffice?

 

[FortyMorty]

Thanks for the input! Cool thread. Are there any sprays you'd recommend? Any ol' silicone lube should suffice?

That or Wd-40 is fine.

 

[ekricket]

Install a grade 1 deadbolt,

Install a grade 1 deadbolt, I like schlage.

They are fine, as long as you can use another door if one door doesn't open with your key. Smartkey locks have really improved in the last two years. I still prefer the schlage brand, they have better finish and mechanical warranties. Schlage uses traditional pin tumbler technology.

I like schlage locks, they have a great lineup. From stand-alone pushbutton to wifi enabled locks. August is great at home automation too. I'm not a fan of fingerprint locks, they are too finicky. If you plan on using them you need to save the prints of more than one finger. You can alter your prints by doing yard work or similar activities.

Locks are rated by grades. It has to do with how long they can withstand being attacked with simple hand tools. Grade 1 is the best. I prefer schlage because they have a wide variety of finishes and designs. Literally something for everyone. Plus their warranties are better than most.

Does Schlage make a good lock?

 

[FDLmold]

 

[tabletalker7]

https://www.amazon.com/TurboLock-TL...ds=turbolock+bluetooth&qid=1581317273&sr=8-12

Any experience with this thing?

 

[FortyMorty]

I have never installed you of those. $100 seems like a pretty good deal.

 

[august2022]

Hello, I would really appreciate your help I have a bedroom door that the locking mechanism is jammed. I opened it up to get in but have failed in my attempts.