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

Our Yale lock is getting quite stiff. So much so we have to jiggle the key into the lock rather than it being smooth insertion. Do the lock require some form of lubrication. Worried the key may snap

Asked by Claire about 6 years ago

Absolutely yes they do. Spray silicone or Teflon spray into the key hole. Doesn’t have to be much at all. Just a quick short squirt.

Thanks for the cloverleaf cam answer...you're good. I have 2 more questions. 1. I do see the clover cam on yhe cylinder, just feel that the cam slips a bit at the ends of the travel. Should I, and could I put some grease on the cam?

Asked by Fw88888888@yahoo.com over 6 years ago

If it’s the correct clover cam, it shouldn’t be slipping. It’s possible something is wrong with the lock body. Narrow down your problem. Take the cylinder out and turn the key all the way around. Is anything loose? Screws on the back tight? Now stick your finger into the lock body and try to simulate the motion of the cylinder cam. Does everything feel fluid? Really loose? Broken? Putting grease on the cam won’t help or hurt. You’re better off squirting a good lube into the mortise body and spray it around a bit. I love Super Lube. Some local shops might carry it. Even some bike stores. Amazon of course. Something that will stick & not dry up.

I just got a car from my sister. And the key doesn't work for the doors or the trunk. How can I fix that? And how much would it cost me? For a key that works maybe....

Asked by Marie almost 5 years ago



You can drive it to a locksmith shop and they might be able to rekey them to match. Or they can make a key to the doors and trunk. With newer cars, it’s very common that the doors and truck locks quit working because people only use remotes to open them. So the locks corrode and seize up. If that is a possibility with you, you can try squirting some WD-40 or a penatrant like PB Blaster, made for loosening rusted nuts. Let it sit 30 min, then run your key in and out a bunch to loosen it up. Then try turning it. I’ve seen that work a lot.

Any suggestions for better security, I've tried the alarm system, the hidden camera, the remote door alarm..

Asked by Dah almost 6 years ago

Are you saying your alarm system isn’t going off, and your cameras aren’t picking anyone up?

Ever seen a lock like this? IMG_5619.jpeg

Asked by GL over 5 years ago

Wow! Can’t say I have! ????

What is the name used for the key that is placed in the right hand vise of a code cutting machine and sets the spacing of the cuts on the blank key?

Asked by De La Rosa over 5 years ago

I would just call that the original key, and the other the copy. Or maybe the depth key?

Also, I want to change the inside door knob to a lever type. What brand should I be looking for that will fit? Thanks again.

Asked by Fw88888888@yahoo.com over 6 years ago

I don’t know if you’ll be able to find anything to work with your existing hardware. They quit making that lock YEARS ago, & parts usually aren’t compatible between mortise locks, except cylinders of course. You’re probably better off replacing the whole thing if you want a big change like that, or if something breaks.