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

Is it ILLEGAL for a locksmith to make a copy of a key that says "DO NOT COPY" on it?

Asked by billhert almost 13 years ago

No, some keys that say "do not duplicate" is just a deterrent. It's simply an honor system. It's telling you that whoever gave you that key would prefer you didn't make a copy of it. It's up to the person copying it if they want to do it or not. Our shop makes you sign a waiver just to cover out butts. Other keys that say it might be covered by a patent. The blank might not even be available to them, that's called a restricted key. Mostly Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Primus, etc, most of those are truly restricted.

I am a locksmith for a state supported living center. They have corbin russwin ic core leversets, 5200 series. I am having a terrible time getting the retainer clip out to remove the levers, any suggestions would be appreciated

Asked by Randy almost 12 years ago

That series is bringing up 2 different things made by CR- exit bars & Unit locks. Which are you working on? And a when you say "clip" are you referring to a snap ring?

hi, my parents recently fitted a lock on my sliding window that needs a key to be unlocked how can i unlock it without the key or possibly buy one but which key should i buy?

Asked by courtney over 11 years ago

Those are usually locks you can't just go out and "buy a key" for. Stay on your parent's good side, do as you're told/asked; and after they build up trust in you, they'll unlock it for you and life will be much more pleasant. 

Not that I'm complaining, but why is it so inexpensive to get key copies made? It's such a valuable service, and intricate metal-cutting just seems like it's worth more than $1-2.

Asked by brikhaus about 12 years ago

Big box stores charge less because they are able to get blanks for so cheap because they buy such a large bulk. It's also an inexpensive opportunity to get you INTO the store in hopes that you'll buy something ELSE while you're there. Most mobile locksmiths probably charge $2-3. Our company charges $2.85 per.

What's a rough estimate of how much a new VSAT key for my 92 Cadillac Eldorado cost?

Asked by Qp over 11 years ago

If you mean a copy of an existing key, probably $10-20 if you take it to a locksmith. If you're saying that you don't have a key, $150-350. Lots of variables, & different areas differ in rates. 

i am new at programming keys, i cut a transponder key from a non transponder key
, i programmed it to 2001 maxima with my handheld computer, it work, but only for a few min, then it would not start car, what did i do wrong?

Asked by dennis over 11 years ago

I'm sorry, I got out of making keys for cars about 5 years ago. I don't know the answer to that question. You may want to try hooking jumper cables up to the car & let it charge for a bit. Every once in a while that was an issue. 

Well, the blank says master, it says m
They stamped 10R01 on it. I can get it to go in. But it does not turn. So as for the numbers you said to look for on the. Key for my master pad lock no.82

Asked by Doctor_anything almost 12 years ago

It may have been miscut or something. I can't help much more than that. If the locksmith charged you, I'd take it back to that locksmith, he must have made a mistake. You could try to get your money back and go to another locksmith.