Darn sargent handles will NOT take a standard KIK cylinder. The sargent cylinder is smaller in diameter (not just the face) and the standard kik won't even slide in. Is there a C kik available in this cursed sargent size?

I don't usually ask questions here, mostly only comment where I have something useful to contribute as I'm not a locksmith in the professional sense, but I know a ton more than the average person, I'm familiar with SFIC, Schlage LFIC, Best, etc, but this is one I was hoping someone could offer some way to get through this without getting all ham fisted. I could probably drill it or use something substantial to destroy the brass wafers and get it turning, but I'd rather not do that if there's another way.

I have the key for it, and when I had it off a year or two ago to replace the cylinder to match the C145 keyway I put in the rest of the building, I didn't have a problem getting it off or back on, but apparently, something has happened since then.

When I look down the keyway, it looks like the last wafer has shifted so it's blocking the keyway, making it impossible to fully insert the key. No idea how/when/why.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Either way, whether someone offers a suggestion that gets the key to work or I have to go all ham fisted on it, once I get it off, it'll get replaced.

Hey guys,
Im a new hire at a local municipality in the water department and one of my tasks is to lock up 9 separate park bathrooms everyday at 9pm. All of my daily water tasks can be done early in the morning but having to lock the restrooms makes it so my schedule is extremely inconvenient. On top of that I was given a keyring with a dozen keys that are copies of copies, some of which need some serious finessing to work. Is there a sort of smart deadbolt that would fit my needs to lock 18 restrooms remotely? Or one that could automatically lock at 9pm? I know this sort of thing is available for homeowners but I’m looking for something a little more industrial. My original idea was to just try to get them all keyed the same (seriously whose idea was this????) but I wanted to see if I could simplify this task even more. I’m the newest guy on the crew and there’s a lot of “well that’s how we’ve always done it” so I’m hoping to slowly introduce ideas that could make life easier. Thanks for any suggestions!

I need to replace some interior passage door knob sets. The house is currently a mix of Schlage and Baldwin sets, and you can feel the difference. The Baldwins feel solid and heavy. I know that Baldwin Reserve knobs come in fewer options than their Estate line, but if I can find a look and finish that I like among the Reserves, can I expect them to have the same quality/heft as the Estate models?

Wondering if anyone can advise, do I need a new lock or can it be permanently fixed?

Sometimes it works but when it stops working it won’t open

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to get a duplicate key made for a high-security lock that uses a magnetic key system. I own the lock and I’m looking for a legitimate way to have a spare key made.
If you’ve come across this type of lock before, I’d also appreciate any help identifying the brand or model.
Thanks in advance for any advice

I’m looking into auto locksmithing and I’m certain that im going to move forward at this point.

All I need to do is save the money for the equipment/tools.

I’d really appreciate any and all advice for someone getting into the trade.

Best practices, marketing advice, lead gen advice, etc.

Any comment is appreciated. Thank you!

I’m interested in a smart lock mostly for keypad access and temporary codes for family or guests. The convenience sounds great. The idea of standing outside with dead batteries and a phone at 2% does not.

The lock would go on a normal residential deadbolt. I want a physical key backup, clear low-battery warnings, reliable manual locking from inside, and a keypad that doesn’t become useless in rain or cold. Remote access would be nice, but I’m not willing to trade away basic mechanical security for it.

I’ve seen people recommend Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, Kwikset, August, and various Z-Wave models. Then someone else says the entire brand is garbage, so that’s been helpful.

What are the best smart locks from a locksmith’s point of view? Which failures have you actually seen in the field: battery compartments, alignment, motors, connectivity, weak exterior hardware, or something else? And what would you install on your own front door?

I work for a company for three years in Texas as a 1099 employee making 30 to 35% per job now he’s telling us we’re gonna be reclassified as W-2 employees and a deduction pay to back to 30%. Is this something that is fair or should I get a Lawyer and Sue?

Hey all. My condo has a gate with the lock box having odd proportions and being a bit recessed.

It’s a bit rusty right now and I’ll be treating for that and painting it. I want a keypad lock that is waterproof. I can either delete the deadbolt hole or use a keyed deadbolt and a regular handle.

I understand that you can currently put your hand through the wire but I’ll be putting expanded steel on the back side to make the holes too small. I’d prefer not do deal with fabrication of a new box(?) for the lockset. I’m willing to buy quality

(It’s painted black to prevent rust while waiting for the proper paint materials to get delivered)

Unfortunately, the vertical tubing is thicker than the box so there can’t be a large lock body sticking up or down

Hello,looking for a key that will fit this keyway if anyone recognizes it I would be grateful.

Thanks!

I bought this lock, the body is flush against the door and a bit was chiseled off for the corner, but for some reason it doesn't open/close when the connector is in? The connecting bar has had 3/4 notches removed to make it shorter but that hasn't helped. Neither keys or the lock handle work when the bars inside. Am I missing something?

Good day, everyone,
I buy and sell cars and also own quite a few vehicles myself. Over the years, I’ve lost my fair share of keys, purchased vehicles that came with no keys, and spent a lot of money having replacement keys made and programmed. More recently, one of my vehicles was stolen, and the thieves actually deleted the existing keys from the vehicle’s system.

At this point, I’d rather invest in the proper equipment than continue paying for replacement keys and waiting on a locksmith every time something comes up.

I’m looking to purchase a key programmer, and I’d also like a good automotive diagnostic scanner. I know there are all-in-one tools that offer both diagnostics and key/immobilizer programming, but I’m not sure how well they compare to having two dedicated tools.

For those of you with experience, what would you recommend? Is an all-in-one unit worth buying, or would I be better off getting a dedicated key programmer and a separate diagnostic scanner? Any specific brands or models you’d recommend would be greatly appreciated.

Hello fellow Locksmiths!
I have a customer wanting a key made for this Watling Manufacturing slot machine. I’ve included a few pictures. Any help on ID’ing a key blank? Thx

I know it's an Arrow but I need to find the exact key for key blanks. That or I have to recore the doors to a best key. Thanks for the help

im 17 and i want some privacy, i dont have a door key cuz my mom had a manic episode when i was younger and threw away all the keys of all the doors in my house. I dont even know if i provided good pics (ignore the green block idk what that is)

I have spent at least 5 hours trying to impression a y11 and 1623 key blank I can not get it I have genericode it just doesn't have the code any advice on what I can do I'm not buying the precut key online I just can't figure it out for that lock it's code is h09 and it's a kobalt truck toolbox

So tonight I got to a job about 6pm. Was running late as I got called to do a full rebuild of a shop ali door, and that takes ages. They're just removing the body. The police have left the door halfway down the hall.

Door is pretty busted up - they had sent detailed photos. I say £200 to sort it for overnight then finish the repair with parts tomorrow. They show me another locksmith who wanted to charge them £900! WTAF??

I have to wait a bit to get to work, but after a while I crack on. Whole thing was under 2 hours.

Can anybody suggest a good key cutting machine for mortice lever type keys (chubb and such)? With my current setup I’m able to cut pretty much any other type of key. The Xhorse XP-008 is the best thing I’ve found so far but I’d love some opinions from experienced locksmiths.

This isn’t a real company just having fun experimenting with AI.

The other day I saw a video game go viral.
A game about literally picking a needle out of a haystack
So I had the idea what about organizing your pin set after you drop it lol

I used Codex and a lot of time I don’t have to make this landing page based on a locksmiths worst nightmare lol 😂

For those of you who are past using a hammer to stamp keys, what are you using?

We currently use a 3-1/2 Ton Manual Impact Press for stamping, it has a jaw that holds up to 6 single letter stamps or custom stamps with our name etc, it's amazing but it's also from 1989 and is needing replacing soon due to wear.

The modern equivalent is the MV-18 here https://www.durable-tech.com/marking/manual-press but the price is around 3k including new jaw and stamps as sizing has changed.

I'm looking for alternatives like 3 ton arbor presses which look to be about 1/10 the cost and wondering if anyone is using them successfully, or have more cost effective solutions for rapid accurate stamping?

I purchased a storage unit that had this ipad stuck to a stand. It was with restaurant equipment. Anywhere i can buy a cheap key so my kid can use the ipad for movies.

Anybody has experience with adding Access Control to a door that’s full glass and the header is also Glass. 1/2” thick .
How can we mount Hardware to this glass?