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

Which deadlock comes closest to offering all the same various burglarproof features that the ASSA 7000 has? I particularly would like one with ball bearings in the bolt. I bought the ASSA 7000 but it's too big for the door, so I'd like the next best.

Asked by Gary Ogan almost 4 years ago

You say it’s too big for the door. How so? Is your door too thin? If so, you need adapter plates. That’s going to be the case for any equivalent. If your door has a different backset, say 2-3/8” instead of 2-3/4”, you either need to adjust the deadbolt latch, or purchase the correct backset. Depends on brand. If the hole in your door is 1-1/2” in cross bore, you need to get it drilled out to a 2-1/8”. Those high security deadbolts have some flexibility, but not a ton. They are pretty particular as to how they fit, and they’re all pretty similar.

Hey brother how do you get inside a locked home or business or any type of building that has a alarm system set?

Asked by Martian almost 5 years ago

Nothing special. Unlock the door and have the business or homeowner put in their code to deactivate the alarm. If it’s an eviction or something where the occupant isn’t there, wait for the police and have the customer/bank rep explain what is going on.

Can a Round cylinder Key for a wall safe be made without a key as a sample

Asked by Nick Presher over 4 years ago

Depending on the cylinder, the pins/wafers should able to be removed from the cylinder and have it used the way you are asking. If it’s a cam lock like what you would see on a cabinet, they sell thumb turn style cam locks.

Trying to replace an old brass door knob. it has a detent but instead of a space where a flathead can go, it’s like a little notch. I push something pointed inside and wiggle the knob but it still won’t come off. Any tips to get it off? Thanks

Asked by Kam about 4 years ago

Usually those door knobs are screwed onto the spindle. Once you take out the setscrew on the edge of the knob, you should just be able to unscrew the whole door knob. The square shaft that goes through the door is actually threaded like a giant screw.

I have an electric bike with a locked battery but the key doesn't work. Could a locksmith help me get the battery out of the bike and fix the key?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/skTzajQQiRNPdMDj8

Asked by Adam over 4 years ago

Hey Adam. Any automotive locksmith should be able to help you. They should be able to pick it open and make a key to it. Worst case, they get it unlocked and you order a new one from the dealer/manufacturer.

1 thing I would recommend trying first is it’s possible there is pressure on the lock itself, which can prevent the key from turning. Push in on the panel with 1 hand while you turn the key with the other hand. Letting that pressure off might do the trick. If that doesn’t work, it’s possible they either sent you the wrong keys or installed the wrong lock.

I bought a lock cylinder for a deadbolt today, and the cylinder tailpiece will not turn without the key inserted. Does that mean I bought the wrong type of cylinder and tailpiece or does installation make it so the tailpiece will turn via bolt?

Asked by Ria over 4 years ago

You should have just purchased a new deadbolt, it’s much easier for a homeowner rather than trying to replace the cylinder. It sounds like you purchased a rim cylinder. The tailpieces on rim cylinders only turn when the key is turned. Tubular deadbolts, such as residential, use what’s called a “lazy tailpiece”. It turns 180 degrees, or so, independently of the key. Depending on which brand and model your deadbolt is, chances are more than likely you can’t just replace the cylinder like you’re thinking anyway. I would highly recommend returning or discarding the cylinder, and just purchasing a replacement deadbolt instead.

Hey i have a vw golf mk4 , i got for it a new lock housing cylinder but before instaling it i tried to rotate it with my hand without a key so the lower part which look like a needle slightly turned and clicked so it didnt turn , so is it broken?

Asked by Sharbel about 5 years ago

I have no idea what you’re referring to, as I haven’t worked on cars in 12 years, but I would say if the key works and it turns, it’s probably fine. If it doesn’t work, it’s probably broken. It shouldn’t break that easily. ¯\_(?)_/¯