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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330 Questions

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Last Answer on June 11, 2024

Best Rated

I have an old Schlage deadbolt lock that appears to have a round type screw head to anchor the two cylinders together .
Is there a special tool to use to loosen them or do you have a recommendation to loosen the screws?

Asked by George about 6 years ago

I believe I know what you’re talking about. A 1-way screw. Either order or go to Harbor Freight or probably about any hardware store & get a security bit set. The bit you need looks like a flat head screwdriver with a slot in the middle. Almost like a tiny fork with only 2 points. Put a lot of pressure on that screw & twist.

I have an antique door mechanism that I need to remove. The knob and latches are off, the jamb plate unscrewed, so it’ll slide out - except for one problem: I can’t get the spindle off. Is there a release catch? Can’t see one. Suggestions?

Asked by John Douglas over 5 years ago

Hard to say without knowing what kind of lock exactly, but sometimes those old mortise locks have a split spindle. You remove 1 half by sliding it out, and the other half hooks into the lock. You just unhook it. Some brands have a solid spindle that goes all the way through, but I’ve never seen it get stuck. Some have a screw that screws into the spindle from the backside, but if you don’t see a place where a screw would go into it, that’s probably not the case. Those are my best guesses. Any one spindle has always been either solid and once you get 1 knob off, it just slides out of the lock, of the split spindle style.

Hello. Dad’s fun safe needed a new 9v battery. Replaced with 4 different Energizer batteries. Keypad beeps as buttons are pressed, there are two quick beeps at then end, indicator lights not illuminating. Please help! Thanks

Asked by Ceilia over 5 years ago

I don’t service safes very often, but it could be either the keypad or the electronic lock inside the safe. Sounds like it’s time to call a safe technician out. It probably won’t be something you can handle.

2001 ford ranger lost keys.chip in key. what is my best and cheapest option?

Asked by Allen over 7 years ago

The “best” and “cheapest” won’t be the same. I’d say get prices from your Ford dealer and a few local locksmiths. Sometimes the dealer is cheaper, sometimes locksmiths are cheaper. Keep in mind that if you go to the dealer, you’ll be paying for a tow as well. Locksmiths will usually come to you and do it on site.

I have a 2015 Nissan Micra base model with no remote locks but when the dealership changed the ignition they didn't recorded the new code for programming now i lost 2 keys nd no locksmith in here was able to start my car do u think its possible?

Asked by Sawad over 5 years ago

I haven’t worked on cars in over 10 years. Some cars the computers need to be reflashed with a tool, some the keys can just be reprogrammed to the car. Unfortunately I can’t give you an accurate answer. Find a locksmith who works on those who will come out to you, or get it towed to the dealer.

Can a disc key lock be tightened, so each time you unlock it. It closes more?

Asked by Leelee almost 6 years ago

Sorry that’s a bit too vague for me to even know what you’re referring to exactly.

Can locksmith make a key for a Yakima roof rack?

Asked by George manfut over 6 years ago

Yes they can.