- USA Lock & Key
- October 18, 2022
Table of Contents
Locksmith services are a necessity for everyone. Whether you’re locked out of your home or car, need to change the locks because of an emergency or burglary, or have lost your keys, you’ll need the help of a licensed professional. But sometimes some of us would simply want to do things ourselves (or try to).
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from how you could go about trying to perform some common DIY locksmith projects yourself (if possible), why extreme caution should be practiced (or why it’s not a good idea to attempt it in the first place), to when you should call a locksmith, and how they can help.
Rekeying
Rekeying is the process of replacing the tumblers inside a lock so that it can only be opened with one specific key. It’s costly and time-consuming, but it’s often worth it if your locks are old or you’ve lost all your keys.
First, make sure you know if the locks are deadbolts or knobs. Deadbolts are more secure, but knobs are easier to install.
Second, find out if you need new keys or just new cylinders. If you just need new cylinders, it will be much cheaper and easier than replacing all of your locks completely.
Finally, make sure you have an idea of how much time it will take to complete the job. Some DIYers can do it in an afternoon. While others may need a few days or even weeks depending on how many doors they’re working on.
The whole procedure takes about an hour per door. If there’s anything wrong with your locking mechanism (like damage from a recent break-in attempt), then opening up your lock could cause even more problems down the line. If something isn’t working right after trying these steps yourself then call a professional instead.
The Locksmith Process of Rekeying
Locksmiths can rekey your locks in three easy steps. First, they will remove the lock cylinder from the door. Then replace it with a new one that has new pins. Next, they will change the key by cutting off the old one and inserting a new one. Finally, they will test all of the keys to make sure they work properly.
A typical rekeying job will cost around $100-$150. Depending on what kind of lock you need to rekey and how many keys are involved in the process (if you have two or three different sets). You can expect to pay between $10-$50 per key depending on whether you want them stamped or laser-engraved as well.
Deadbolt Repair
If you’re having trouble with a deadbolt, you may be tempted to try and fix it yourself. But if you’ve never done this before, it’s actually not recommended. Here’s how to do it, if you really want to attempt it:
Use a screwdriver to remove the screws on the inside and outside knobs. Then lift it off of its rails and pull up on the latch. Unscrew the deadbolt with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Use caution when removing this piece because when you take out all four screws you need to pop it back into place without falling out of order, while also making sure they aren’t too tight so they don’t break anything else.
Make sure that none of the screws are stripped. Pry open the door frame from the side opposite the knob hole using a flathead screwdriver if necessary. Replace the old cylinder with a new one making sure both fit snugly against each other so there are no gaps between them whatsoever.
There are so many things to look out for in this process. If you don’t exactly know what you are doing you might just end up with more damage than what you started with. That would mean you have no choice but to call an expert. One who could help you get everything working again properly and more quickly than any DIY specialist could provide you with.
Locksmiths can show up at your location in as little as 30 minutes. Once they arrive, they can repair your deadbolt repaired so you can get back inside in no time.
Lockout Services
If you find yourself locked out of your home or car, the first step is to take a deep breath. The second step is to get a screwdriver. You’ll need it for removing the door handle (if you can) and the cylinder if it’s broken.
Once you have your tools in hand, use them to open your front door by taking off the lock and turning it counterclockwise until it stops moving. If this doesn’t work, try turning the cylinder clockwise instead. But no matter what happens next, we recommend calling a professional locksmith service instead of continuing with DIY methods from here on out.
Chances are you could damage the interior and exterior parts of your door. Or even worse, hurt yourself, especially while prying the door open. Before attempting anything and before you call a locksmith if you find that your lock has been damaged or broken, here are a few things to keep in mind: Take pictures of the damage before doing anything else. You may need these later on when filing an insurance claim.
A locksmith will be able to get you in your home or car in no time while being extra gentle and careful with them.
Car Key Replacement
Car key replacement is a common occurrence. While it can be done by yourself, you risk damaging your car or getting in over your head.
There are many ways to replace a car key, and not all of them are DIY-friendly. Some methods require special tools and knowledge. Others are expensive (and may not even work). Others are difficult to execute, and still, others require the services of an experienced locksmith.
In short: there’s no reason to try this yourself when there’s an expert available who can do it properly and efficiently.
Locksmiths can cut a new key for your car, usually in less than an hour. This is the best option, and it’s also the most reliable. The locksmith will make sure that your new key fits perfectly with your car’s ignition and locks. They’ll also program it so that only you can use it. This is definitely something you cannot do yourself or you could end up permanently damaging your Key Fob.
Key Duplication
Key duplication is the process of making copies of your existing keys. It requires three basic tools: a key blank, a key cutter, and a key blank bender.
Key duplicators are sold in many hardware stores and online. The process of key duplication is simple and does not require special tools or skills. Although it’s important to know that copying your own keys can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
A key cutter is a hand-operated tool that cuts the grooves and teeth on the key blank so that it can be used as a duplicate for another key. Key blanks are short pieces of metal with grooves on one side that are inserted into the lock on doors or cars when needed. When it comes time for another person to use this same type of lock later on down the road, all they need is this duplicate version from before.
The only downside here is the cost – while some people may do well enough financially where spending money on a machine isn’t much cause for concern. Others may not feel comfortable enough taking such risks when considering opportunity cost versus potential losses could end up costing hundreds if not thousands depending upon the circumstances involved here.
Besides, you may not need it again so why buy one when you can just call your Locksmith to duplicate them for you. This process usually takes only a few minutes and would be cheaper than actually buying a machine to do this.
Replacing a broken key
If you have a broken key and need to replace it, you can do so at home with DIY tools. You’ll need to purchase a new key blank and use the correct tool to cut it. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, then hiring a locksmith is probably your best bet.
There are many reasons why you may want to avoid cutting your keys at home. For example, if there’s any doubt about whether or not the cut will be successful, then it could lead to further damage by forcing an incorrectly-cut key into place (and potentially damaging other components). Another reason is that certain types of keys cannot be duplicated using standard hardware store equipment; these include electronic access control devices and automobile door handles with integrated transponders that detect unauthorized attempts at entry with invalid codes.
If you have a key that can’t be duplicated, then your only option is to go to a locksmith.
Some types of keys can’t be duplicated at home. These include electronic access control devices and automobile door handles with integrated transponders that detect unauthorized attempts at entry. If you need to make a key for either of these, then you’ll have to go to a locksmith or dealer instead.
A locksmith can help you fix a broken key and get you back on track with your day. The process is simple: you call them, and they come to your location and fix the problem. The time it takes depends on how fast you want them to get there and how long it will take them to fix the problem.
Open Safes and Vaults
If you’d like to open a safe or vault yourself, there are several steps to follow. First, make sure that the lock isn’t damaged. If it is, then you may have to replace it. Next, check whether the door is broken—if so, it will need replacing too. If neither of these accessories is damaged and they’re in good condition (aside from not working well), then continue on.
If everything looks good and there’s no damage done yet (except for what was already mentioned), then take some time and figure out how the whole thing works by looking at how all its parts fit together. It’s important for anyone doing this kind of work themselves not just because they’ll save money but also because knowing how something works helps prevent mistakes later down the line.
Once you’ve figured out the basic workings of a safe or vault, then it’s time to try opening it. If you don’t know how there are several tutorials online that can show you how to do this.
Now, if you try to force it open yourself, you could end up damaging the lock or the safe/vault itself. If this happens, a locksmith will have to work with your insurance company to get your safe/vault replaced—and that can take time (time you might not have if you desperately need something from the inside). A locksmith can handle this kind of job quickly and easily, so why risk the hassle?
Call USA Lock & Key
In this article, we explored the different DIY alternatives to locksmith services. While you might be tempted at first glance to think that there are DIY alternatives to locksmith projects, remember that when it comes to your home or business security, there are no shortcuts. If you live in and around Sunset Road, Las Vegas and you find yourself in need of a professional service at any time, don’t hesitate to call USA Lock & Key.
You can always count on us to be there for you when you need us. We offer a wide range of locksmith services, including:
Lock installation, Keyless door locks and keypads, Rekeying, Key Duplication, 24/7 Emergency Services, and many more! Call us today, or visit our website!
725-2565-669
