Overview of Locksmith Tools

Every trade has its own tools, language and ways of doing things and locksmithing is no different. It has a very specialized skillset, methodology and approach to problems. Key to solving those problems are the tools they use. The vast majority of the locksmiths work is getting people into their property when they’ve locked themselves out, mainly their homes or car.

To do this without damaging, or wrecking the door, lock or car, the locksmith has to have specific tools, and the skills to use them. We have all seen in the movies where someone pulls out a little wallet and uses a couple of picks to pick a lock in a couple of seconds. Most of that is artistic license as it usually takes a lot longer than a couple of seconds to pick all but the oldest locks. There are five main tools for the locksmith to be able to pick locks, the electric pick gun, plug spinner, tension wrenches, computerized picks and the key extractor.

The electric pick gun is a small electric drill that has various picking implements that can attach to it. This has been heralded as “the end of lock picking” as it makes defeating locks so easy. A scary thought if one of these got into the wrong hands. It uses a drill like motion to jiggle the pins in different ways in order to open the lock and can access almost every kind of key lock in the world.

The plug spinner needs more skill to use. It’s used to rotate and lift the lock plug in order for it to open. To make it work, the smith needs to know in which position each different type of lock will automatically unlock.

Tension wrenches are similar to those tools you see on TV. They are normally only in a set of three though, and work inside the lock to move the pins and hold them in place to they can all be freed to undo the lock.

Computerized picks are for more complicated locks and combination systems. It’s capable of working at blinding speed and calculating different pins and disc patterns.

Key extractors are used to remove broken keys and foreign objects from the keyhole. Broken keys are one of the most popular calls a locksmith gets, this tool allows them to quickly and easily remove the debris from the lock so they can then pick it open.

In the vast majority of cases, the locksmith should be able to pick your door open, whether its property or car. It’s only under exceptional circumstances that they would have to damage, drill or otherwise break a lock in order to gain access. If a locksmith advises he needs to break something in order to gain access without really trying to pick his way in, send him away. It’s only in very rare circumstances they ever have to do that.