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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Last Answer on June 11, 2024

Best Rated

We hired a locksmith to get into an internal locked office door. They screwed around for 5 hours and then left with our entire lock, cylinder and master key and won't bring it back until we agree to pay them to finish the job? Isn't that theft?

Asked by bloom over 11 years ago

Without knowing the details of the story, judging by your side of the story alone, it's definitely theft!! First off they can't charge you for something you didn't agree to pay for. Secondly, it's YOUR lock & keys, so that is definitely not right. 

Some of these hack "locksmiths" will quote you a low price on the phone (you're usually talking to someone in a call center in another state), then they send an independent contractor out who works on commission. They usually don't know what they're doing & try to charge an arm & a leg. Sound accurate? I'd call the police if you're confident in your story. That's not right! 

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. 

I have a multipoint lock (corbin french doors) that is broken in the locked position. I read in one of your answers that you managed to open such a lock. How? Help.

Asked by Michael Redd about 11 years ago

I've never seen a Corbin multipoint lock in person, just a diagram of one online, but from what I can tell, this is a completely different animal. There are many reasons why it might not be unlocking, and destroying it to get it open might not be necessary or work the same way. I hate to say it, but your best bet would be to find an experienced locksmith who would be willing to tackle this project, but be prepared to spend some money in the off-chance it's not repairable, I'm sure these aren't cheap. 

What's a fair price for a car or home lockout? What about it if it's late at night?

Asked by Torched almost 12 years ago

Like I said in a previous post, it really depends on the area you live in. During regular business ours, it can range anywhere from $25 to $100. After hours, anywhere from $50 to $150. Hiring a reputable company makes a big difference as well. You might be quoted a little bit more on the phone, but the price will stay the same when the job is complete. There's a lot of shady companies who will quote you a low price on the phone, but the technician will jack up the price after the job is complete. It never hurts to double check the price when the technician arrives!

I've been picking as a hobby. I am newer to this. I recently ran into a master padlock no.82 that has 5 pins . Only have a Dino 8 pc pick set. Any help would be wonderful because I'm stuck on this one.

Asked by Doctor anything almost 12 years ago

They're not easy, I'll tell you that! They put pick-resistant pins in there, most of the time, we end up cutting them off. 

I am sorry about not being clear on the corbin russwin leversets. They are a "UT 5257" store room function. On the assembly I ffound online the "grip retainer" I am refering to is part # 15, there is one on each side to hold the levers in place.
Thx

Asked by Randy over 11 years ago

I've worked on Unit Locks before, but not this specific one I don't think. From what I've read, you have to pry it out with a small screwdriver. Unfortunately I don't know any secret tricks without seeing one in person. Not sure if this would be easier, but there's a tool I've used for 15 years that has been SO useful. It's a red-handled 90 degree ice pick.  it has the name Carolina Roller on the side. 

I have a master padlock no. 82
I don't have the key. There was a stamp in black ink on the bottom. 10R01
The lock smith looked it up. Said yep 5 pin master pad lock. Charged me 12 bucks. But the key goes in very tight and it only goes in half way

Asked by Doctor anything almost 12 years ago

It's possible that he used the wrong blank, or maybe the blank is bent or twisted. According to my records, the key blank should be: m-4, 1092V, MS9R, 81KR. Those are different part numbers for the same blank by different manufacturers. Check the key for that part number, if it's different, that might be a ref flag. Some keys don't have any part number on them though. I'd take it back to that locksmith.