Here are the most common types of jobs a locksmith should be able to handle.

RECOMBINATION LOCKS: A customer may want to change an existing lock to work off a new key–the most common type of lock being the key-in-the-knob cylinder or pin tumbler lock. When the proper key is inserted in the keyway, spring-loaded pins are pushed up and out of the cylinder, allowing the plug to turn, and opening the lock. Most house, auto and padlocks are the pin tumbler variety. Different brands of locks use different depths, space and keyways. But with a given brand of lock, up to 50,000 variations exist. Thus, it’s not always necessary to change the new lock.

COMBINATING ALIKE: Some customers will have a house or business with several different locks and keys, none of them alike or using the same key. Sometimes people will want to change to a system that will require the least number of keys to carry around. Here, you’ll be required to change the key coding so that one key works all the locks.

MASTERKEYING: Apartment owners and other commercial accounts may want dual key access. This is done by using locks with dual pin tumbler sets. One works with the apartment key, the other with the master key. Keys are spoken of in terms of code numbers. A given lock is a master key setup might respond, for example, to keys with code numbers 1-2-3-4-5 and 6-7-8-9. Mathematical progressions are used in master keying.

LOCKOUTS: Frequently a person finds himself locked out of his home, office, warehouse, car, etc. Invariably this happens at odd hours of the day or night. So opening locks at odd hours of the day or night will be a role you’ll definitely play live of your customers. A typical pin tumbler lock can generally be picked open in about 30 seconds, using either picks or a single piece of spring steel and good wrist work. All locks have tolerances and variations in manufacture which will allow you to push the cylinder pins up and out of the way while exerting a turning pressure on the cylinder itself.

AUTOMOBILE LOCKOUTS: This problem occurs frequently and will require a different procedure. A tool called a “Slim Shim” is often used here, and works on most domestic and many foreign cars. this is pushed down between the glass and the weather stripping on the door far enough to reach the back of the lock cylinder on the door. You simply push down or pull up. A “button popper” is also used, worked through the weather stripping on vent windows in older cars, and angled back to the latch button.

LOCK INSTALLATION: Much of your time will be spent installing new lock and door hardware. In many cases, homeowners and business people will want to upgrade their security with the latest model hardware for older  homes, offices and other buildings. Often you’ll be adding more security to an existing door, such as installing a deadbolt lock.

PANIC BARS AND DOOR CLOSERS: Many locksmiths working the commercial or industrial market get involved in the repair and installation of panic bars in public access areas. Panic bars are those large bars you can push on to open the outside doors of many public buildings. Door closers are those hydraulic devices mounted at the top of these doors which return the door to the closed position after it has been opened.

ALARMS, SAFES, AND VAULTS: The sale and installation of alarm are a natural adjunct to the locksmithing business. Alarms can be the “perimeter” type which sound when a door is opened after hours, or “area” alarms. “Space” or “area” protection is generally preferred, and involves infrared, ultrasonic or microwave sensors triggering alarms by detecting movement.

Safe and vault work is another specialty. Some locksmiths have major banks and savings and loan associations as clients. They spend a good deal of their time changing safe deposit box locks and maintaining vaults and the like. Gaining in popularity is the safe and service of safes for homes and business use.

HIGH SECURITY WORK: A typical locksmith is a “general practitioner,” while the high-security locksmith is a “specialist.” High security work is often done for major corporations, government institutions, large banks, race tracks, museums and wealthy private individuals who desire maximum security. Often this work involves access control systems using card readers or voice print equipment, possibly combines with electronic push button locks that work off a combination of numbers known only to a few individuals.

In addition to these major areas of activity, locksmiths the world over do key duplicating and impressioning, which is replacing of lost keys with custom made copies, and a wide variety of other types of sales, repair and service work.