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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329 Questions

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Last Answer on June 11, 2024

Best Rated

Thank you again for your expertise. Last question (I think) for now. I had done as you suggest. I could not budge that drive-in latch in the least. That's why I wanted a lock to fit it. Any more ideas how to get it out w/o damaging the door?

Asked by shieldvulf almost 8 years ago

It sounds like something is not right. If you have Twitter, send me a photo of the edge of the door and inside the hole. @ATXJOSHL Other than that, I would take a pair of big pliers and grab the latch inside the hole and shake it back and forth to try to loosen it up. Then try to pull it out again with that big screwdriver.

My son works for a company that gives him 30% of whatever he makes on each job. Period. My son uses his own tools, his own car, pays for his own gas, and any tolls acquired the way to a job. There is no insurance and he works 24/7. Is this legal???

Asked by Mom about 9 years ago

I'm not an insurance expert, but as far as I know, if he's considered a contractor (which is what it sounds like), then the company doesn't have to insure their employees, or provide insurance. If he's hired on, & receives a W2 every year, I believe they're legally supposed to carry liability insurance- workmans comp, which protects employees in case they get hurt on the job. But I believe depending on the amount of employees, if it's under 50 (I think) they're not legally required to provide insurance.

I have a 2011 mazda 2. The remote and the switch inside the car both work fine and lock and unlock the car but the key itself will turn both ways in the door but will not unlock or lock the door. It used to work. Is this something a locksmith can fix

Asked by Tim almost 9 years ago

Yes definitely. Most likely the door panel needs to be pulled & the linkage reconnected.

I had to replace my ignition, keys and all. Original key was broken, can i get a key for the doors only without the original?

Asked by Dg almost 9 years ago

Absolutely. If you still have the pieces to your original broken key, they can cut you a new one off of that, otherwise make one from a door/glove box lock, depending on the car.

does my 96 fleetwood cadillac have a key sensor

Asked by john over 8 years ago

If you mean a chip in the key, yes I believe all Cadillacs do. They started hiding the chips under the plastic head of the key, but in the 80's and 90's you could see the chip embedded in the blade of the key right below the head of the key.

I bought a used Fender Strat TSA lock case for my guitar and it did not have a key with it. If I want to be able to lock the case, should I replace the entire lock or should I try to get a replacement key or have one made?

Asked by Ken D. about 7 years ago

I would guess you could probably order a key for it with a google search. Those cases are just a deterrent, nothing more. Probably not even worth locking in my opinion. Someone can just carry the whole case off and open it later with a big screwdriver.

I want to change deadbolt w/a pounded in latch, so rather get same lock/know how to alter another lock to fit. Can't find Dexter twokeyed db even at Shlage site. Is the critical thing the tailpiece? Dexter's is flat with a thin ridge down the middle.

Asked by shieldvulf about 8 years ago

It really depends on how old your lock is. I believe the new Dexter locks are designed different than the old ones. You're probably better off just getting a new deadbolt. Look for something that specifies "drive-in" latch, or "6-way" latch. Most don't come 1 specific way, they come with adapters so you can change it from square faced to a drive-in latch.