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If you are thinking about becoming a locksmith or even going through training to become one, then you may well be confused as to what tools it is best to buy. You will have no doubt noticed that there is a huge variety of tools available on the market all claiming to be vitally important with impressive looking videos to tempt you. But normally you will not have the budget (or indeed the space) to get everything! So this is a guide based on direct locksmith experience about the recommended top 5 must-have locksmith tools when starting out.
The article focuses on residential locksmith tools (for household locks) and is written by Lock Guy – a professional locksmith based in Essex. It excludes general hand tools (e.g. screwdriver, pliers, hammer, chisels, etc.) that will of course be needed. It also excludes a drill which is a must-have to have a good quality drill!
It does not explain in any detail how to use these tools as the intention is not to inform non-locksmiths how to potentially break into homes. It also does not give preferences about which particular product or manufacturer is best.
The most common way someone gets locked out of their home is when the door closes behind them and the key is inside.
In this situation, and if there is a suitable letterbox in the door, then this tool allows for non-destructive entry.
There are various types of letterbox tools and there are also many attachments you can get.
Starting off with a basic kit will be sufficient and will probably cover 80-90% of these types of lockout scenarios.
You will definitely get use out of this tool and the cost of the initial outlay will be returned quickly.
These come in the form of sheets of siliconised material. They are thin, rigid and yet flexible. They are a ‘must-have’ for locksmiths because they can fit into tight gaps and can be used to push back the latch on a door.
They can be cut down into different shapes if needed and they come in different thicknesses which is very useful. You can use them to ‘feel’ what is going on with a locked door to see where the locking points are and indeed what sort of locks you are up against.
The cards can also be used on other types of locks, e.g. window catches. These mica cards are very cheap too, especially considering the amount of uses they have.
The cards can also be trimmed down to prolong the life of the cards as the edges can get damaged/worn with repeated use.
These are like crowbars, but with a wide, flat beveled edge.
They are used to create a gap in a door without causing any damage.
This is especially useful in situations where the door lock or locking mechanism has failed and the door spreader can be used to sometimes bypass the locks.
They are especially useful on uPVC doors where there is a certain amount of flexibility in the door.
Door spreaders are often used in conjunction with air wedges, that are also a useful purchase for a locksmith.
This is a handheld power tool with a fast-spinning head that has multiple uses.
Since getting this tool, it is used almost on a daily basis for things like widening keeps, sanding out tight areas and cutting/adjusting faceplates on multi-point locking mechanisms.
With the right burr, it can also be used to destructively bypass lock cylinders.
It is especially useful for defeating higher security locks that have anti-drill bars.
This is a tool for gaining destructive entry.
The tool takes advantage of an inherent weakness in the more basic euro cylinder locks and essentially removes them, granting access to operate the locking mechanism.
In the right situation, it is a very quick and easy way to gain access where there is no key available.
There is an adjustable version, which is recommended, as it can be used in more situations than the standard fixed snapper bar.
Hopefully this information on the top 5 tools for locksmiths has been helpful and/or interesting.
This Top 5 list really represents just a starting point. The more specialist locksmith tools you have, the more options you have and therefore will be able to complete more jobs more quickly. It is just a question of prioritising what tools to get initially and then slowly building up over time.
For further information/advice, or if you need a locksmith in Witham, Maldon or across Essex, then contact Lock Guy!
Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.