If you’re starting out in your locksmith training, the number of tools out there can seem daunting. With so many varieties of locks and their technical specifications evolving all the time, it’s essential that a locksmith has a range of tools to hand to make sure they’ve got the right ones for the job. Here, we’ve listed some of the most common locksmith tools which are essential to have in your arsenal.
General Locksmith Tools
LOCK PULLER KIT
Developed for use by both locksmiths and emergency services, a lock puller kit will allow you to remove any type of euro or oval cylinder lock with both ease and efficiency. They can also be used for removal of pin based plugs in rim cylinders and padlocks.
The tool allows for the fast opening of doors, without damaging the door or the door guard. This makes it the ideal tool for a time-saving emergency opening.
DOOR SPREADER SET
The door spreader set is the ultimate way in which you can expose the lock mechanism of a uPVC door, making it much easier for the locksmith to be able to open a failed lock. Simply slot the tool under the seal and apply leverage and the lock mechanism will become exposed, and if used correctly won’t damage the door or the door frame.
Lock picks
Like the bump key, a lock pick is a popular locksmith tool which comes in multiple variations. When used in combination with a tension wrench (see below), lock picks push pins in the cylinder up in order to unlock it. Lock picks look similar to dental tools, with long metal handles and a pick end which varies depending on the type.
There are several varieties of lock picks, with arguably the most useful being the hook pick, which has a hook-like end and can be used to pick pins one at a time. Another common type is the half-diamond, which has a small, triangular shape at the end with angled sides. It can be used in a similar way to the hook pick but offers more flexibility in how much control the locksmith has over it due to the varying angles.
The next most popular type is the rake pick, which has a long, jagged edge and is used by jiggling it in the lock until the shear points align. Rake picks can be very useful and are also the easiest to use, but tend to work best on older locks.
Ball and double ball picks are also widely used and are most effective on wafer locks. A locksmith will usually try a ball pick first, before switching to a double ball if that doesn’t work. Ball picks are used by placing the end on a pin and moving it around until the locksmith feels a click.
Tension wrench
The tension wrench is an essential locksmith tool and is used in conjunction with lock picks. The most common tension wrenches are L-shaped and are inserted into the bottom of a lock to ensure the pins do not fall down when they are pushed into the shear point.
Pick gun
Pick guns come in both manual and electric varieties and offer a fast way to pick a lock. To use a pick gun, a locksmith pulls a trigger which engages a fast-moving pick to open the lock.
Circular Tension Tool
Using a circular tension tool allows you to apply tension to the lock whilst using an electric pick gun, without interfering with your line of sight or access to the key way. A circular tension tool also allows for a huge amount of control on the level of tension applied.
Auto Locksmith Tools
LONG REACH TOOL
The most common way someone gets locked out of their car is because they’ve locked their keys inside. What better way to gain entry then with the key? When used with an air bag (see below), you will be able to use the long reach tool in order to reach into the car and retrieve the keys.
Alternatively if the keys aren’t in site, the tool can be used in order manipulate locking devices on the inside of the vehicle.
AIR BAG
The air bag can be pushed into the car door gap and then pumped up, revealing a gap where tools, such as the long reach tool, can be used in order to gain entry.
Locksmith Training Tools
We believe that the best way to learn locksmithing is with the real tools on real locks. This is what you’ll experience if you undertake one of our courses. Of course, it would be impractical for us teach some skills on a full size door, so we do use some custom training rigs which replicate a door, however the locks that these contain will be what you’d be expected to deal with in real world situations.
