locksmithery

here | March 10, 2009 | self

[franksolich]

Today while in a small town (circa 1,500) in the Sandhills of Nebraska, when I turned off the automobile, the blade of the key snapped off, leaving me with just the top half in my hand.

Okay, so I went around looking for a locksmith (as I am deaf, telephoning around does not work; when seeking information, I have to shoe-leather it).....and much to my surprise, this particular town had no locksmith.

The alternative was 17 miles away.

This really suprised me, because in some towns a tenth the size of this town, at least in Nebraska, there's always at least one locksmith, at least a part-time one.

Okay.

So I got to thinking. I lack all practical skills, due to the emphasis, in my education, on the liberal arts, although later I did add economics and accounting.

I make my living doing income tax work, and while it pays the bills for the year, it means I'm pretty idle more than half the year.

In other words, I have time.

I'm thinking about checking into locksmithery; surely it is something practical. I'm going to check with old-timers in the area, to see if any of them had once been locksmiths, and get their observations.

Just how hard is it to become a locksmith? I'm sure it's not easy, even though I'm talking here about the basic essential fundamental locksmithery; automobile ignitions, house door-knobs, that sort of thing.

It's not like I would have to make a living doing it; just something to dabble in for spending money.

I'd appreciate any observations here. Thank you!

[GovernmentShrinker]

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I’ll add it to my growing collectino of tips. This is probably a very cheap, simple lock — it’s on just a basic metal file cabinet, and looks like it would take a very tiny key — so it’s likely to be a lot easier to pick than something like a real door lock.

[WhirlwindAttack]

How do I pick the lock on an ordinary, probably 1960s, metal file cabinet?

If you have a lock pick kit it's pretty easy.
There is a flat curved tool called a tension wrench that you insert into the lock on the bottom.
Then you take the proper shaped pick and work the tumbler pins front to back. When the pins line up you turn the lock cylinder with the wrench and pick.
It's just that easy.

Or get a pick gun, insert, squeeze the handle a couple of times and Bingo.
A paperclip might work if you bend it right for a tension wrench and an eyeglass screwdriver bent at the tip. I've found locks keep honest people honest.

[Does so]

"...I've found locks keep honest people honest..."

I've found that locks keep me from entering my own property!

So I re-keyed all my locks to just two pins, and have one key that works them all. (Schlage locks). If you really need to enter your house, use a Vise-Grip® on the door knob or dead-bolt to gain entry. Pipe wrenches work well, too.

I guess Obama supporters already know this.

:-\

[WhirlwindAttack]

I’ve had break in attempts twice in the last year. I’ve upgraded locks to prevent key bumping but if they really want in they will find a way. (chain saw through door/ pipe wrench to the handle and deadbolt) Note to the 0bamabots in the coming zombie apocalypse, Stay away from me and mine. I’m hazardous to zombie health.

[GovernmentShrinker]

Well, I don’t have a lock pick kit, and I don’t really think it would be worth buying one for this, so I’ll have to try and make do with paper clips and bobby pins.