Locksmith

Locksmith

Josh-the-Locksmith

25 Years Experience

Austin, TX

Male, 46

I've been a locksmith since 1998. I did automotive residential & commercial work from 1998 to 2008. From 2008 to 2018, I did some residential, but mostly commercial work. I have been project managing & estimating since 2018. I used to locksmith in the Chicago area, now the Austin area.

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330 Questions

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Last Answer on June 11, 2024

Best Rated

thanks for your answer! Unfortunately, we found that the lock doesn't even fit in the door :( the holes are too close together. we will have to get a different lock.

Asked by rachel about 12 years ago

Sounds like you're using a combination lever handle. Maybe get a combo deadbolt instead? Schlage makes the best residential combo deadbolts on the market in my opinion. 

Hi im 16 and for a while now ive been picking locks at home just for fun but im wanting to take it further like an apprentiship but i know theyll wanna do a police check n ive had a bit of cop trouple in the past no convictions tho what should i do?

Asked by Daniel about 10 years ago

Depends on what state you live in. Some you can't even be a locksmith until you're 21. Some don't have any restrictions, no licensing. Some do background checks, fingerprints etc. Find out what the laws are in your state, & if you're of age, check with some shops & see what they'll do.

Havevu seen a lock that has a star pattern with a hole in the center if so wat kind of key does it use and the name

Asked by eric over 10 years ago

No, I have never come across one of those.

I purchased a used safe. The door is open and I've gained access to the notched wheels inside. How do I figure out the combination.
There no reset key hole or key

Asked by Bobbie over 10 years ago

Trying to walk someone through that who doesn't have experience working with safe dials is like asking a mechanic to walk you through rebuilding an engine over the phone. You'll have to either take the safe to a locksmith or have 1 come out to do that for you. You're just lucky you got a safe that didn't need to be drilled open! $$$

I am trying to replace an exterior door knob for aesthetic reasons only. When i removed the door knob and tried removing the latch assembly it wont come out. I can push it in but it will only come out to a certain point then it gets stuck. Help

Asked by Bobby about 10 years ago

Can you send me a picture of it on twitter? @ATXJOSHL Since I don't know what brand it is, I have no idea what you're dealing with.

We just moved into a home that has keyed deadbolts on both sides of the door. We want to put in a door bolt on one side so we don't have to use keys inside to get out. Do I need to buy all new deadbolts? Is there a way not to have to rekey? Thx!

Asked by Kelly about 11 years ago

Unfortunately yes you have to replace the entire desdbolt. There are a few replacement parts needed for the conversion, & manufacturers just don't sell conversion kits. But hey, look on the bright side, if you just bought your house, you need to rekey your locks anyways, so you're killing 2 birds with 1 stone!

I'm starting a locksmithing business. What's the best way to get training? Any tips on getting started or what to look out for would be very helpful.

Asked by Jeremy over 11 years ago

I think working for another well-rounded locksmith for at least 5-10 years would give you enough training to start a locksmith business. Why not get paid to learn the trade? Otherwise you'll spend all your time learning instead of making money. This is 1 of those jobs where most of what you learn, you'll learn in the field. ALOA puts on a lot of classes, there are online classes, & there's always Youtube!