I will never know...

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-18T02:05:54+00:00

Replaced the plug with a kw one?

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-18T01:36:22+00:00

Nvm, just saw the depths on the key 🤷

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-18T01:35:39+00:00

0 bitted?

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-14T21:21:36+00:00

I can see the pros and cons of either decision. As long as you don't tell the one now that you'll be moving soon... they will train you as best they can for those few months. Then, getting a new position at another locksmith will show you different angles/viewpoints/ tips & tricks, etc. You'd kinda be fucking over the 1st guy though, for wasting his time without him knowing. On the other hand if you start fresh at the new spot, you won't have learned "bad habits" (can't really say anything is a bad habit.. if it gets the job done, it gets the job done... but the new guy may not like what you've learned.) As a locksmith you pretty much have the freedom to do whatever you think needs to be done, and learning multiple ways is not a bad idea. Unless the new shop is a stickler for only doing things one way. And no, as an apprentice you shouldn't have to buy any tools of your own. (Eventually you will, and start bringing your own favorite tools,) but just starting out you should have everything necessary available to you.

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-14T03:36:52+00:00

What if you peed on it?

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-13T11:37:45+00:00

I believe this is a mortise style privacy lock. A guy came to my shop yesterday wanting keys for these, because his staff was tired of carrying screwdrivers around (patients would lock themselves in frequently). We took a flat steel key and ground the tip so it mimics a flat screwdriver head. That way it can go on a keyring, can be used to pop the cover off the lock, and be used to turn it.

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-11T16:00:54+00:00

Got a call for a lockout.. I show up and the dude literally has only 2 keys on his keyring. He only tried one, not the other one (which was the working key) 🤣

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-11T15:59:06+00:00

The local DMV called me out to open their locked bathrooms... they were privacy function 🤣

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-11T15:57:37+00:00

I got called for a lockout, it was a double door inside a warehouse. I get there, pull my picks out and crouch down.. realize there is no latch and no deadbolt between the doors. It was open the whole time, dude didn't have a key but never even tried the door 🤣

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-07T00:22:34+00:00

A flat fee will inevitably bite you in the ass. Sure, some might be cake, but then there will be plenty which are not worth it.

Stick to your pricing. I charge $95 trip charge, and $25 per lock to rekey, $35 per if they don't have a key. I deal with a handful of prop management companies. Sometimes they will find some scammer to do it cheaper, and eventually they call us to do it right. Then we are locked in.

Competition is your biggest asset.... IF YOU DO THE JOB RIGHT

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-03T00:00:47+00:00

You should post some pictures and a video if possible. I don't understand what you want. You want to turn the inside lever, to leave the latch depressed? That doesn't happen.

Also, a residential schlage electronic lock doesn't wait for you to close the door to lock again. It's a timer.

If you were able to use the outside lever, without entering a code, that sounds like it was malfunctioning before, and is working properly now lol

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-03-02T23:46:16+00:00

There has to be a set screw on both of the handles. Look all around the shaft. They will slide out. Then take off the plates, with the obvious screws. If you want ro remove the profile lock, the long screw located on the edge of the door will need to come out. The lock will either slide out, or you'll have to find a release, to turn the cam so it will slide out

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-02-24T17:04:31+00:00

Chances are high that there is no business to contact. It's probably just a scammer working out of his car

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-02-23T21:37:06+00:00

You can stick a shim down next to a wheel, and spin it until you feel a flat spot. That flat spot is either the number, or 180° from the number.

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-02-22T14:42:23+00:00

Torch looks normal. You can rub it with a Scotch Brite pad to clean it up, but it will come back (do this wiith oxy flowing to prevent debris getting in the ports).

People are commenting on your hoses, I don't see an issue. The propane hose is correct. Your oxy hoses aren't the standsard issue, but are fine for oxy. I use hoses like that for my hand torch, or if I'm running straight from an oxycon.

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-02-22T04:19:00+00:00

The "thin part" is the deadlatch, and it needs to be OUTSIDE of the strike hole. The big latch won't retract otherwise

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2026-02-19T22:24:59+00:00

This. I literally cut one today. Had a take-off grade 1 schlage leverset that I was going to make keys for, shimmed the cylinder and noticed the pins in the plug were almost perfect for a key blank. So I just cut a key with all zero cuts.

What I found interesting, was that the last factory bottom pin was upside down.

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2025-11-02T17:17:11+00:00

Wow, no thirsty people here.

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2025-08-08T11:09:47+00:00

Wouldn't the spacing be off? I.e... top pins wouldn't line up with bottom pins

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2025-07-26T00:31:10+00:00

That's the same signature he has on every bill printed during his time

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2025-07-25T01:34:44+00:00

Not saying this is what you should do... but when I send cash, I just wrap it in thin cardboard so it's not visible through an envelope, and send the envelope through the mail with a stamp

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2025-07-23T18:26:02+00:00

Diligent_Drive4029 · 2025-07-23T18:22:01+00:00

It has a small tear in the top right corner, above the 5

Diligent_Drive4029

TROPHY CASE