/r/Locksmith

Photograph via snooOG

For all your locksmithing needs

Welcome to /r/Locksmith, for all your locksmithing needs.


Rules

1. There is ZERO TOLERANCE for Spam.

If the first thing you do is post a link to your website or channel, advertise your product or service, or otherwise shill for yourself in any way, your post will be removed and you will be banned.

2. No Lockout Questions

We are not your personal lockout service. Call a local locksmith in your area and have them unlock your thing.

3. Be excellent to each other

This is a place of helping. If you cannot answer kindly or at least politely, do not answer at all.

4. Be Careful What You Post

Do not talk about specific techniques or trade secrets. This is a public forum so not everyone who views this subreddit is a locksmith and such information could easily fall into the wrong hands. This includes drill points for any lock!

5. No Bitting Information

Do not request or supply bitting information (cuts, depths, spaces) from a keycode, VIN, etc. or vice versa. Anyone who is authorized to have this information should be able to get it themselves.

6. No Links to Purchase Tools

Do not link to websites where you can purchase Locksmithing tools or other devices not meant for the general public.


We have a discord server!

This Discord server is intended for LOCKSMITHS. If you are NOT a locksmith or locksmith-adjacent DO NOT JOIN.

Click here to join: https://discord.gg/locksmith




Want to become a locksmith?

Search for "Become" in this subreddit and it will provide you will many relevant results.

Related subreddits

Security
Lockpicking
Metalworking
Woodworking
Safe Cracking
RF Electronics
Access Control

Other Trademasters

Heating, Ventilation, HVAC
Automotive Mechanics
Woodworking
Construction
Electricians
Plumbing
Roofing
Towing

Related websites

KeyPro Web LLC
KeyPro Locksmith finder (mainly automotive)
ALOA Locksmith Finder
SAVTA Safe & Vault Tech Finder
Assoicated Locksmiths of America
Locksmith Legitimacy Help/Articles
Master Locksmiths Association - UK
Master Locksmiths Association of Australiasia
PLAA - Professional Locksmiths Association of Alberta

/r/Locksmith

25,330 Subscribers

1

Mazda OEM software

Does anyone know if you can use the V200 from the km100 with the Mazda MDARS software? I've heard that the v200 works with Ford and normally Ford and Mazda have nearly identical software but I can't find anything definitive.

0 Comments
2024/10/31
18:47 UTC

2

A friend is wanting a safe bolted down in an apartment. But wants to make sure that the bolt won’t strike a pipe or wires

I highly doubt that the bolt will pierce anything critical (closet floor) but would rather be safe than sorry. how does one go about making sure this doesn’t happen?

9 Comments
2024/10/31
16:51 UTC

3

Thumb lock on new front door hard to turn

This is a brand new unit we just installed. The handle turns fine and the keep lock works fine, but manually locking the inside is VERY difficult. Any ideas how to fix this? I was considering pulling it apart and spraying so WD, but it’s a brand new lock. Thank you!

4 Comments
2024/10/31
15:15 UTC

1

How can I fix this?

6 Comments
2024/10/31
14:06 UTC

0

Key won’t turn in the deadlock cylindrr

Hi! I was reinstalling an old deadbolt on my door as I’m moving out of an apartment and I can’t use the original key to lock my deadbolt from outside. I’m finding it’s because this piece doesn’t turn when I try to turn the key in the lock. Anyone know how to fix this?

4 Comments
2024/10/31
04:15 UTC

1

GU multipoint replacement

I went to a customer a couple weeks ago to get measurements for a GU multipoint replacement.

any idea how to remove the brass fitting showed in the following picture ? I assume

I’ll be back there tomorrow and was hoping to get an advice from someone that dealt with those before.

6 Comments
2024/10/31
03:14 UTC

3

Dog pulled loose door-knob off, how to re-attach?

9 Comments
2024/10/31
01:48 UTC

3

2009 Suzuki SX4 - does it have immobilizer?

All of my resources tell me no, it doesn't have immobilizer for keyed ignition; only for push to start. Just want to see if anyone has ever done one of these before and can say otherwise. Of course I trust my resources, but to be honest I did not know Suzuki made cars in the US so I'm trying to be extra safe with this one. Thanks

4 Comments
2024/10/31
00:20 UTC

3

Help remove Schlage deadbolt

Deadbolt won't retract all the way. The locksmith told me I would need to WD40 the old Schlage deadbolt lock. And to do it, he mentioned I would have to remove the inner door handle first, followed by deadbolt screws, before removing the interface plate. I got at far as removing the doorknob, unscrewing the deadbolt screws, and attempting to remove the panel by pushing in the tab at the bottom of the panel. However, I couldn't figure out how to remove the deadbolt latch.

Side view of door lock. Deadbolt retracted as far as will go, unless pressed in manually.

Schlage front door lock set.

9 Comments
2024/10/30
21:48 UTC

0

What screwdriver do I need to take this panic bar out?

I'm doing a business redeye and this thing has me stumped

13 Comments
2024/10/30
21:43 UTC

3

Car Key Programmed / Remote Start Not Working ???

as the title states. lost the key to my 2019 Nissan, had the mobile locksmith come out reprogram a key and noticed the remote start feature isnt working any longer. However here's where it gets tricky. The car was at a body shop when key got lost and the locksmith went there to make up a new key. It was a front collision , not horrible but new hood, bumper , headlights (no airbags deployed)

Picked the car up today and noticed the remote start not working on the remote but lock/unlock/panic work just fine. checked to make sure nothing was ajar to cancel out the remote start like the hood not being latched or low fuel but still not working. reached out to the locksmith and they are basically pushing me off on the body shop saying its something they did. Body shop is saying it's the locksmith. im pretty inclined when it comes to working on cars so was wondering if its anything that I could take a look at or is this beyond me and in the programming side of things ? any advice would be helpful

12 Comments
2024/10/30
20:47 UTC

5

What's A Good Grease For Mechanical Locks?

For mortise and simplex locks when doing repairs. I'm not concerned about sea water. These are interior locks.

12 Comments
2024/10/30
20:27 UTC

4

Key refurbishing

Only been a automotive locksmith for a few years but I’ve been collecting a bunch of keys from friends and businesses I work with. I know some can be refurbished and some can’t, but don’t really know where to start. Any one got any ideas on either places I can send them to get them refurbished or guides to refurbish them myself?

10 Comments
2024/10/30
18:23 UTC

18

What happened to the auto locksmith industry?

Anyone notice an extreme devaluing of automotive Locksmith services recently? I’m not sure if it’s because of the recession and people are broke. But I’m seeing a lot of locksmiths that are charging $70-$80 for remote keys akl, prox keys akl for like $120. Not European though. At those prices, you cant use OEM and you have to be working out of a nissan versa haha.

34 Comments
2024/10/30
18:12 UTC

2

How to avoid retaining pin/control key kwikset deadbolts?

I bought what I thought were standard KW deadbolts and I'm going to master key them and it's the biggest pain in the ass. The "core" has a bunch of groves in it and seemingly has to be finessed out of the housing, and because of this retaining pin I end up dumping some if not all of the top pins. Once you pull the spring that holds in the retaining pen good luck getting it to reassemble. But I'm sure anybody who can deduce what I'm talking about already knows how convoluted these things are.

Long and short of it. What do I need to order for my future kwikset customers so that I avoid these things? They are a complete waste of time and energy.

26 Comments
2024/10/30
17:23 UTC

11

"Key" broke in ignition 2011 F150

Caller called about a key broke in a 2011 F150, looking for (free) advice on how to get the key out.

Me: Are you sure you broke the key in the ignition?

Caller: Yes, I can see it.

Me: Are you sure that the key you're looking at? Did you actually see the key break in the ignition?

Caller: Yes, I saw the key break in the ignition, I've been trying to get the key out with no success, but I know it's stuck in there because every time I pry on it the key chime goes off. Do you think I should try some super glue?

Me: Patiently explains that most of the time customers break the key portion off of their RKH and lose the metal portion and don't realize it until they go to start their car and then they think the shutter cap on the ignition is the broken key. I also explain how a AKL is more expensive than just recutting a broken key and how when customers try DIY fixes on things they have no clue about they end up breaking it worse and now it's an AKL and an ignition repair/replace and if they want to jam it full of super glue they will make it more expensive to repair. I also explain the pricing for a key extraction, key origination and programming, and if we have to make repairs.

Caller: No, that's not it, I know the key broke off in it, can you just come out and extract it?

Me: Comes out, extracts the ignition, disassembles and removes the part pictured, then originates and programs the new key.

Customer: Oh, I guess there wasn't a key in there after all.

Me: Yup.

Score on being right: Me: 67,456 Customers: 0

At least they didn't try to argue past that, they just paid the full price for the extraction, key origination, programming and repairs.

2 Comments
2024/10/30
16:03 UTC

3

Are face tattoos fine? If I’m interested in picking up lock smithing?

Are

19 Comments
2024/10/30
14:33 UTC

0

Security Survey

Hello, we are students from Bergische Universität Wuppertal collecting data for a research project relating to locks and security. This survey will take just a few minutes, and we would appreciate your honest feedback regarding the following questions. 

https://forms.gle/15wvMfFwLmcmv3XY9

0 Comments
2024/10/30
12:58 UTC

4

What model lock/key is this?

I saw a utility worker take this off of a water main shutoff. I’m working on a project and like the idea of this style/shape and having a unique key. Would love to know more.

4 Comments
2024/10/30
12:55 UTC

2

Exit device Template cross reference

Has anyone made or found a cross-reference for various pushbars and their bolt pattern/templates (NOT of their functions)?

1 Comment
2024/10/30
12:27 UTC

3

Advice needed for a euro cylinder screw up please

Hi

I decided to replace our euro cylinder lock on our front door. Ordered a legit Yale 3 star 35/35. Took out the retaining screw, removed the old lock (it was sticky and hard to open hence the replacement).

All easy. 3 minutes in. Cool, cool.

Stuck the new lock in, careful to have the EXT end on the outdoor side. Stuck in the new lock, applied the old retaining screw, screwed it in. Got it almost all the way in, maybe 2mm protruding.

Tried to remove the key from the brand new lock. No joy, I can turn and lock the door but can't remove the key. I can insert a key on the outside but cannot turn it at all.

Not cool, not cool.

So I try to unscrew the retaining screw which I notice at this point is at maybe a 15 degree angle up. The screw won't undo. I stupidly apply some effort into it, I've now damaged the screw.

Even less cool, even less cool.

I hoof it over to the nearest Screwfix, get a damaged screw extractor kit.

I try to drill into the screw as the instructions dictate. My 2.5 metal bit snaps. I use the 3.5 one. Fast forward 20 min and the screw head shears off.

Cue a lot of swearing. My wife is PISSED.

So now I have my lock which I can lock from inside, but a key that won't remove no matter what it try and I cannot operate it at all from the front outside.

There is no screw body protruding at all. It looks like a 3mm and I'm pretty sure it's hardened.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? Or do I need to cave in to the loss of the best part of £150 and get a pro in to somehow resolve the problem? My anxiety is sky high despite the fact we can secure it and my wife is so angry at me... Help!

3 Comments
2024/10/29
17:58 UTC

3

Getting started w/ auto locksmith (help needed)

Hi folks - I work on a lot of older Mercedes-Benz in my free time. Mostly the W124 (86-95 E class) and the W126 (80-91 S class). Many parts for these cars are no longer available so I'm often at the junkyard pulling parts.

I pull a lot of locks (even if there's no key) because the parts are simply not made anymore. The keys for these are 4 track and when you open locked parts they have wafer style tumblers. I have a homegrown collection of tumblers (left 1-5, right 1-5, halves 1-5) and then I just recently bought a rekey kit by ASP, Inc (carlocks.com; kit is part number A-21-103). It's great to be able to replace the tumblers in these locks because they wear down over time and the key can eventually get stuck.

I can drill out the rivets holding the parts together (for the locks which don't have a key) to get them open and get at the cylinder. This is definitely extra work - but I am tapping these and putting them back together with a grub screw. It would be much nicer to leave the lock intact though and just pull out the cylinder. This is where my question comes in.

I recently bought a Lishi HU39 2-in-1 pick and I figured out "the basics"... enough that I picked a lock in 2 hours and got the cylinder out. It's definitely fun after watching some videos - looking for springy ones and ones that bind and you can click them into place. But this is taking a while - mostly because I have no idea what I'm doing to be honest.

Part of the problem is the locks I'm working with are always 30+ years old - so I'm spraying the inside with teflon and putting a key in and out to help clean them out. Lots of sludge comes out. Not sure if there is a best practice to prepping the cylinders.

The other part of the problem is (like I said) I am a complete newbie and don't have any real method for trying to pick these. I'm just doing B track bottom for all positions, B track top, A track top, A track bottom, and repeating in a loop while pulling backwards on the lever they give you. Each click moves the key just a super small turn. I tried my second lock tonight and spent 3 hours and unfortunately was not able to pick it (gave up).

Are there online classes or resources available for learning picking basics? YouTube has a decent amount of videos - but mostly from professional locksmiths and they pick the lock in less than 5 minutes without really describing what they're doing or why they do it that way. I would be more than happy to pay - I would love to learn this skill. I have a lot of patience - but need some guidance.

Sorry if this is a long post or is too open ended. Feeling defeated after tonight. The ultimate goal for me would be to be good enough to put these parts on a bench and get them apart without drilling or having to pay a locksmith. These old cars are really special and I'd love to help others. Any advice is extremely appreciated! 🙂

6 Comments
2024/10/30
09:04 UTC

1

2019 transit 150 low roof

Just got this van lookin for some layouts that someone might be able to share for some ideas of how to set this up not just to work out if it but for comfort and to look professional for my customers and commercial outs I pull up to i mainly do automotive so need to mount machines but also commercial and residential so pinning kits and duplicator will have to be set in as well so counter top space and lots of storage any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated thanks

1 Comment
2024/10/30
06:31 UTC

12

By any chance does anyone know what on earth I’m looking at?

17 Comments
2024/10/30
03:55 UTC

Back To Top