Unlocking The Secrets: A Guide To The Tools Used By Locksmiths
Locksmiths are skilled professionals who specialize in installing, repairing, and opening various types of locks and security systems. To perform their tasks effectively, locksmiths rely on an array of specialized tools designed for specific functions. This article will explore the essential tools used by locksmiths and their purposes.
Lock Picks
Lock picks are among the most iconic tools used by locksmiths. These small, slender tools are designed to manipulate the internal components of a lock, such as pins or wafers, to open it without a key.
Lock picks come in various shapes and sizes, including hooks, rakes, and half-diamonds, each designed for different types of locks or picking techniques. Locksmiths use lock picks for non-destructive lock opening, making them a preferred method for gaining entry when a key is lost or locked inside.
Tension Wrenches
Tension wrenches are used in conjunction with lock picks to apply torque to a lock's plug, simulating the turning motion of a key. By applying the correct amount of tension, a locksmith can hold the lock's pins or wafers in place while manipulating them with a lock pick, eventually opening the lock.
L-shaped or feather-touch tension wrenches may be preferable, depending on the specific lock and issue that a locksmith is working on.
Plug Spinners
Occasionally, a locksmith may pick a lock in the wrong direction, causing the lock to remain closed. In such cases, plug spinners come to the rescue. These tools rapidly rotate the lock's plug to the correct direction without allowing the pins or wafers to reset, effectively opening the lock.
Plug spinners are especially useful when working with locks that have specific directional requirements.
Key Extractors
Broken keys inside locks are a common issue that locksmiths encounter. Key extractors are specially designed tools used to remove broken key fragments from a lock's keyway. These tools typically feature a narrow, hooked end that can grip and extract the broken piece without causing damage to the lock.
Key Cutting Machines
Locksmiths often need to create new keys or duplicate existing ones, and key-cutting machines are essential tools for this task. Keying machines come in manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic variants, and utilize either cutting wheels or lasers to shape keys according to specific lock requirements.
Bypass Tools
Bypass tools are designed to circumvent a lock's security mechanisms and gain entry without picking the lock. Padlock shims are an example of a bypass tool.
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