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

Hi Josh - Here is an aesthetic lock question: I am installing a new front door, and I'd like the visible hardware (handle & lock) to be silver on the outside, and bronze on the inside. If I buy two identical sets of hardware from the same manufacturer, one in each color, can I combine appropriate parts from each set to get this look and still have them functioning securely? Thanks for any info!

Asked by Jeanne over 9 years ago

Yes you can do that. That's not that uncommon actually. If you have the time to wait, you can special order hardware specifiying the color inside & out, as well as handle style. Maybe online retailers, or maybe from your local walk-in locksmith. Not sure what the cost would be.

usps
mailbox key ?? need a copie or a picture please for 92585 92544 area

Asked by mail man helper over 10 years ago

Not quite sure what you're asking. If you need a copy of a key, try your local walk-in locksmith shop. Just because it says USPS doesn't mean it's restricted or anything. A local shop should have it or should be able to get it. 

What are the most common brands for residential locks? I've seen Kwickset, Schlage, Medeco- what else is common? Thx!

Asked by Jason over 10 years ago

Well Kwikset & Schlage are definitely the most common, but some others I run across are Baldwin, Emtek, Dexter, & Weiser. Medeco & Mul-T-Lock are high security locks, but I wouldn't say they're "common". 

I have a 1998 Nissan Maxima and broke my only key. About how much would it cost to get one remade? if its possible

Asked by Britney about 11 years ago

If you still have both halves of the key, you should be able to take it into a lock shop and they should be able to cut you a new one for under $20 (make an extra copy this time). If you don't, and need someone to come out, as long as it's a reputable locksmith, I would assume it won't be much more than $150. Really depends on where you live though. Prices fluctuate quite a bit around the country. 

Bought a Cary safe 2door.Combo card is as written,3 times,2nd line L zo to 4o,3rd line R to 4o 2 time to 60,4th line L 1 time 60 by to 10 back R,5th line R 10 back slow to 10. I can't make heads or tails of this & my kid shut the safe and spun dial.

Asked by Don over 10 years ago

Is the English really that bad on the card? With something as particular as safe combination, you're going to have to give me exactly what the card says word for word. 

 

Have you seen the new phone-based remote locks like August.com? Those things have to be the future, right?

Asked by jailbrake almost 11 years ago

This is the 2nd 1 I've seen like this. They're definitely going to get more popular, but I think we still have a ways to go before a majority will move away from a standard key. I have found that most people don't care about the few extra seconds they'll save by not having to use keys, & it's not worth the extra cost for a small convenience. Personally I love it & can't wait to see what's next! 

i have a Papaiz 322 storm door lock and i want to replace it. i'm unable to remove the screw that is in the handle so that i can't remove take the lock off the door. i thought about drilling into the hole to remove the screw. what would you recommend

Asked by jason R. about 10 years ago

There's no easy solution to a corroded & possibly stripped Allen set screw. If you're replacing it anyways, may as well drill the sucker out! Don't be afraid to go a little bigger than the hole. Use a new bit, otherwise you'll get frustrated quickly when you're not getting anywhere.