Locksmith

Locksmith

Josh-the-Locksmith

22 Years Experience

Austin, TX

Male, 42

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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325 Questions

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Last Answer on June 24, 2022

Best Rated

Best locksmith joke you ever heard?

Asked by hootie hooooooo almost 12 years ago

That's a really good question, but I honestly don't think I've ever heard a locksmith Joke! As my friend Alex would say, "I've met some locksmiths who WERE jokes!"

Can a locksmith make a key by looking at the lock alone?

Asked by brikhaus about 11 years ago

Sometimes there is a code stamped on a lock, & in those cases we can look up the cuts. Otherwise no.

Are there any common locks that you think are WAY too easy to break into and people should replace them? Kwikset comes to mind - seems like all it would take is a paper clip and a steady hand.

Asked by Becks almost 12 years ago

People getting their locks picked by burglars is very rare. What you should be more concerned about is making sure you have good strong strike plates on your jambs with long screws that go into the studs. If you're concerned about your locks being picked or drilled, then sure, buy Medeco or Mul-T-Lock deadbolts. They're awesome. They will cost you $200+ per lock. I think the majority of burglars are looking for an easier way in. Kicking the door in or breaking a window.

Can you start a car just by "crossing wires"? Are there special rules or laws that apply to locksmiths and car-starting? Are you even ALLOWED to, or do they have to go through their dealership or insurance company?

Asked by autolock almost 12 years ago

You can start a car by crossing wires on old cars, but you still can't just drive off. Steering wheels are locked & turning the key unlocks the wheel. Locksmiths don't do that anyways. We just make keys for the cars. Most newer vehicles have a chip in the key or the ignition. That security chip is required in order for the car to start, & every car's chip is different. That was designed to prevent people from "hot wiring" cars.

Do you remember "The Club", the long, red anti-theft locking device for cars? Is The Club very easy to pick?

Asked by Tr3 almost 12 years ago

The first ones were, but they changed the lock to a higher security lock.

Is it possible to open a combination lock or safe simply by putting your ear up to it?

Asked by DUCKS almost 12 years ago

Yes that's real. Not many who can do it though.

I used a locksmith in Portland once and he was a total phonie! How can you tell if they are real deals?

Asked by Caty Smith over 11 years ago

Your best bet is to have one bookmarked before you actually need one. Get referrals from friends, check the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and keep your eyes open for actual brick and mortar lock shops in your area. A lot of phonies will list an address online or in the yellow pages, but it will be fake. The fakes use local numbers that redirect to a national call center. They hire local contractors who will upcharge you once (if) they show up. LOTS of scammers out there.