If you are looking to become a locksmith, chances are you’re curious about the tools required to become the best & most successful skilled locksmith you can be.
Locksmithing is a discipline that amalgamates both art and science to both fabricate and unlock locks. In most countries, a person must complete an apprenticeship program to become a certified locksmith, and it is a tradition that dates back countless millennia.
It should also be noted that a professional locksmith will be responsible for both the design and assembly of various locks, as well as the designing and crafting of their respective keys. Here, we will focus on the tools that you will need — both mental and physical — to improve your locksmithing skills.
5 Skills You Need to Become a Better Locksmith
In terms of the skills required to become a better locksmith, you will need to work on building your problem-solving skills as well as your practical prowess, as locks can prove to be quite challenging to both build and solve, with some being far more complicated than others.
You will also need to work on your communication and problem-solving skills, as people will call or email you during very stressful situations, and you will need to work quickly to de-escalate the situation.
Patience and meticulous attention to detail are also critical, as you will need to work quickly without compromising quality or accuracy while also dealing with a possibly irritated and frustrated customer.
You will also need to learn how to think outside the box and will need to be creative as well as analytical to solve complex security locks that have implemented the most sophisticated locking technology and safeguards.
Finally, and perhaps most important of all, you will need to improve both your carpentry and metalwork skills greatly. For instance, you will need to have a strong grasp on how windows and doors are installed so that you can minimize the damage that results from your work.
You may also be required to remove doors or windows to rectify certain client issues, so you need to be versatile enough in your skillset to handle any challenge that comes your way.
Own a Cordless Drill
A cordless drill is a tool that is commonly used to drive fasteners or make several round holes on a surface. It may also be fitted with a driver, drill, or a bit, and may also be fastened using a sophisticated chuck. Some powered drills on the market may also include a hammer function for more advanced projects.
If you are a locksmith, you will want to have a cordless drill as part of your repertoire, as cordless drills are often used for metalworking, woodworking, construction projects, and many utility tasks as well.
Reciprocating Saw
You may also want to carry a reciprocating saw with you, which is a state of the art machine powered saw. The cutting action is achieved via a reciprocating push and pull motion of the sharp blade. These saws are often used in demolition work and other construction projects, and you may need a unit for very durable locks.
Portable Wet Dry Vacuum
More complicated locksmithing projects can be quite messy, so you may need to bring a portable wet dry vacuum in order to clean up the worksite before you leave for your next project.
A portable wet dry vacuum can tackle dust, dry dirt, and liquid spills with minimal effort. Also, while they can be used for domestic projects, they are more commonly utilized for heavy-duty projects that involve commercial properties.
Portable Electric Sander
A portable electric sander is intended to be used for various sanding projects. There are many models to choose from, so you will need to select a model according to the unique operating, size, and shape requirements of the task at hand.
Angle Grinder Tool
An angle grinder is a superb addition to your locksmith arsenal, as not only is it very versatile, but it’s also a very powerful power tool designed from handheld use. Most come equipped with a diamond-tipped blade, which allows it to effortlessly slice through most materials, which is a must for most locksmithing projects.
Both experts and DIY hobbyists commonly use it to cut hard materials, as well as polish hard surfaces. It can also be used to sharpen tools, grinding mortar, sand all sorts of materials, polish aluminum, dimension tiles, clean metal, and, as the name implies, grind metal, concrete, ceramic, and stone.
Locksmith Borescope
Last but certainly not least, you should add a locksmith borescope to your tool kit to help improve your locksmithing skills. Most safe technicians, as well as expert locksmiths, use borescopes to read wafer locks.
To do so, they will often use a wafer reading scope, and they will also use a safe opening scope in order to look into a vault or safe. Both locksmiths and safe technicians may also use a borescope to study the internal locking mechanism before they begin working on it.
We would suggest that you use a borescope with a smaller diameter if you are a locksmith, as it will allow you to have easier access to tiny openings. You can also opt for either a semi-rigid or flexible borescope and a rigid borescope, depending on your needs.
There are also two different variants for each type, namely, articulating and non-articulation. If you opt for a non-articulating variation, you will need a side-viewing camera or a side-viewing mirror to work. In contrast, an articulating probe can have its probe tip camera steered to different angles if needed. In terms of price, you can choose a cheaper model at around $150 or invest in a top of the line borescope for $300.
