7 Most Common Tools and Equipment Used by Locksmiths

A locksmith is someone who works with locks, keys and security systems. We solve problems when you're locked out, need new keys, or want better security for your home or business. At Lost Key Locksmiths, our locksmith knows all about locks and how to fix them quickly. That's why we have a 5-star Google rating from happy customers.

Tools and equipment are essential for us locksmiths. Without the right tools, we simply can't do our job properly. It's like trying to cook without pans - impossible! Our tools let us open locks without damage, make new keys that work perfectly, and install security systems that keep you safe.

At Lost Key Locksmiths, we use only high-quality tools and equipment. Our vans are like mobile workshops with everything we need to solve your lock problems on the spot. This means faster service for you when you're stuck outside in the rain or late for an important meeting. We aim to arrive quickly when you call us, and we don't charge a call-out fee - that's right, our call-out fee is $0.

Here are the main tools and equipment we use every day:

• Key Cutting Machines: These machines turn blank metal pieces into keys that fit your locks perfectly. Our key cutting machines are precise and reliable, allowing us to make spare keys for your home, car, or business while you wait.
• Lock Picks and Tension Wrenches: These slim tools help us open locks when you don't have the key. They're specially designed to move the pins inside the lock without causing any damage. It's a skill that takes years to master, but it means we can get you back inside quickly.
• Key Extractors: When keys break off inside locks (it happens more often than you'd think!), these tools grab the broken piece and pull it out. They save you from having to replace the entire lock.
• Electric Pick Guns: These tools use vibration to quickly open locks in emergency situations. They're especially useful for lockouts when you need to get back inside fast.
• Plug Spinners: Sometimes when picking a lock, it turns the wrong way. Plug spinners quickly reverse this, saving time and getting your lock working properly again.
• Automotive Entry Tools: Cars need special tools because they're designed to resist break-ins. Our automotive tools help us open car doors safely when you've locked your keys inside.
• Key Programmers: Modern cars use electronic keys and fobs that need programming. Our key programmers connect to your vehicle's computer to set up new keys that work with your specific car.

Each of these tools has a specific job. Lock picks open doors when you're locked out. Key extractors remove broken keys from locks. Key cutting machines make new keys when you need spares. Automotive tools help with car lockouts. By having all these tools ready, our locksmiths can handle almost any situation they face.

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1. Key Cutting Tools

Key cutting tools are what bring blank keys to life. Think about it - every key starts as just a flat piece of metal until these special machines carve the unique pattern that matches your lock.

A locksmith's workshop usually has a few different types of these tools. The old-school manual cutters work a bit like tracing machines - the locksmith clamps your original key and a blank one, then follows the pattern by hand. It's almost like an art form. The newer electronic duplicators are more high-tech, using tiny sensors to measure your key and electric motors to cut with incredible accuracy. Some fancy automated systems don't even need your original key - they can cut based on special codes that tell them exactly what pattern to make. And when there's no key at all to copy, decoders help figure out what your lock needs, kind of like solving a puzzle.

These tools help with everyday problems we all face. Lost the only key to your shed? These machines make a new one. Want to give your neighbour a spare house key for emergencies? They'll create a perfect copy. Moving into a new apartment and need keys for everyone in the family? No problem. Even when there's nothing to copy from, these tools can still create what you need based on the lock itself.

You'll see key cutting in action during lots of locksmith jobs. When you're locked out and have to get a replacement key made fast. When you're being smart and making spares before an emergency happens. When your car key stops working and you need a fresh one. For businesses setting up systems where different keys open different doors. Or when someone changes the pins inside a lock and needs keys that match the new setup.

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2. Lock Picking Tools

Lock picking tools are like a locksmith's secret language with locks. Instead of shouting "open up!" with a battering ram, these tools whisper to the lock and convince it to open without leaving a scratch.

A locksmith's pick set looks a bit like dental tools - small, precise instruments for a delicate job. Hook picks have a curved tip that lifts individual pins inside the lock one by one, like playing piano notes with a single finger. Rake picks have wavy edges that brush across multiple pins at once - more like strumming guitar strings. Diamond picks are the Swiss Army knife of the bunch, working well in most locks with their angled tips. Ball picks have tiny rounded ends, perfect for certain locks that need a gentler touch. All these work hand-in-hand with tension wrenches - simple L-shaped tools that apply just enough pressure while the pins are being set. It's like holding a door handle turned while someone else unlocks it.

These tools are lifesavers in many situations. When you realise your keys are sitting on the kitchen counter while you're standing outside in your pajamas, picks get you in without breaking windows. When a lock starts acting funny, these tools help feel what's happening inside. Locksmiths practice for hours with these tools - it's not just knowledge but feel and sound that guide them. Sometimes they'll demonstrate how vulnerable a cheap lock might be, or test if an expensive one lives up to its promises.

Lock picking shows up in many services a locksmith offers. It's the hero during lockouts when you need to get back inside your home or office. When your car keys are locked in the trunk with your groceries melting, these tools save the day. During security checks, they might reveal weak spots in your protection. If you've forgotten the combination to your safe with important documents inside, skilled picking might open it without destructive drilling. And when something's just not right with a lock, these tools help diagnose the problem by feeling how things move inside.

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3. Lock Installation and Repair Tools

Lock installation and repair tools are what transform an ordinary door into your first line of defence. Think about it - without these tools, we'd all be using simple latches like in the old days!

A locksmith's toolkit for installation and repair is quite fascinating. There are electric drills that hum as they create perfectly-sized holes where your new deadbolt will live. Hole saws spin with precision, carving out space in doors of all materials. Then there are chisels - not the clunky ones you might have in the garage, but finely tuned tools that create mortises where lock bodies will sit flush with your door edge. Files smooth rough edges with a satisfying scrape. The screwdrivers are something special too - slim-tipped precision ones for tiny set screws, heavy-duty ones for anchor bolts, and oddly-shaped security versions for locks that don't want just anyone opening them up. Measuring tools ensure everything lines up just right, because even being off by a millimetre can make the difference between a lock that works smoothly and one that sticks.

These tools solve everyday problems we all face. Just moved into a new place and don't know who else might have keys? These installation tools put in fresh locks so only you have access. Front door lock getting sticky and hard to turn? Repair tools can often fix that without replacing the whole thing. Worried about security after a break-in nearby? These tools help upgrade from basic locks to high-security options. And when winter comes and your lock freezes up, these same tools get things working again without a complete replacement.

You'll see these tools at work in many situations. When you've just purchased a home and want all new locks (a smart move!). During office renovations when security needs upgrading. After someone had tried to force a lock and damaged it. For regular maintenance, when locks start feeling rough or sticky. And sometimes just because you want to match all your door hardware to your new decor - yes, locksmiths help with the aesthetic side of security too!

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4. Key Extraction Tools

Key extraction tools are the unsung heroes of the locksmith world. They save the day in those panic-inducing moments when your key snaps off inside a lock - leaving you staring at a tiny metal fragment that seems impossible to reach.

The variety of extraction tools shows just how common this problem really is. There are spiral extractors that look like miniature metal tornadoes - they twist into the keyway and grip the broken fragment like a corkscrew grabbing a wine cork. Hinge extractors work like the world's tiniest pair of tweezers, opening and closing to grab that frustrating piece of metal. Hook extractors are like fishing gear for keys - slender tools with curved ends that slip behind the fragment to coax it out. Some extractors even use magnets for those tricky situations where nothing else seems to work. And when things get really stubborn, there are extraction kits with special lubricants that help slide that broken piece right out.

These tools rescue us from what feels like impossible situations. You know that sinking feeling when your key snaps off flush with the lock and there's absolutely nothing to grab? Extraction tools can still save you. Or picture this - your car key breaks off in the ignition on the morning of an important meeting. Instead of an expensive tow and dealer visit, these tools can have you back on the road quickly. Then there's the classic scenario of a rusty padlock on a storage unit where your key snaps off halfway in - extraction tools prevent having to cut the whole lock off.

Key extraction tools show up in all sorts of locksmith services. There's the urgent emergency call when someone is locked out with a broken key in their door. There's preventive work - like when a locksmith notices your key is cracking and removes it before it breaks completely. They're used in automotive locksmith services constantly - car locks and ignitions are notorious for eating keys. Safe technicians use specialised extraction tools for high-security locks. Commercial locksmith services often involve extracting broken keys from employee entrance doors that see hundreds of uses daily.

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5. Emerging Technologies in Locksmith Tools

Who said locksmiths are stuck in the past with old-fashioned picks and files? The truth is, the locksmith industry is embracing some seriously cool technology these days that feels straight out of a spy movie.

Walking into a modern locksmith shop might surprise you. You'll spot electronic lock decoders that look like something from a tech store rather than a traditional locksmith. These smart little devices can communicate with your electronic locks, often saving the day when you've lost all your codes or fobs. There are even 3D printers humming away in some shops - not making plastic toys, but creating precise replacement parts for locks that manufacturers stopped supporting years ago. Pretty neat, right? Bluetooth diagnostic tools are becoming common too, connecting to smartphones and pulling up detailed specs for thousands of lock models instantly. Some high-end locksmiths are even using thermal cameras that can "see" inside locks by detecting tiny heat variations, showing wear patterns without taking anything apart. And those pick guns from the old days? They've evolved into sophisticated electronic tools that use tiny, controlled pulses instead of manual bumping.

These high-tech tools solve problems that would have been nightmares just a few years back. Remember when losing the master code to your digital door lock meant replacing the whole expensive unit? Now there's often a way to reset it. Got a beautiful antique home with original hardware from the 1800s? Parts that haven't been made in a century can be recreated with 3D printing. Facing a safe that won't open even though you're using the right combination? Electronic diagnostics can often pinpoint exactly which component is failing. And for business owners juggling dozens or hundreds of access points, electronic tracking systems make managing who has access to what so much easier than the old paper logs.

You might encounter these technologies when you least expect them. That locksmith helping with your fancy car keys? They're using programmers that talk directly to your car's computer. The technician restoring function to a historic bank vault? They might be creating custom parts that haven't been manufactured since your grandparents were young. And that quick fix for your smart home lock that stopped talking to your phone? That's all thanks to these new diagnostic tools that bridge the gap between traditional locksmithing and modern tech.

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6. Automotive Locksmith Tools

Car keys aren't what they used to be, are they? Remember when a car key was just... well, a key? Now they're fancy electronic fobs that cost a small fortune to replace at the dealership. That's why automotive locksmith tools have had to evolve into something almost unrecognisable from the basic tools of yesterday.

Pop into the van of a locksmith who specialises in cars, and you'll see what looks more like a mobile electronics lab than traditional tools. There are key programmers with colour screens that plug into your car's computer system - they talk to your vehicle in its own electronic language to sync new keys. The decoder picks look specialised and car-specific, because different makes and models have totally different lock designs. You'll spot curious inflatable wedges that create just enough space in your car door without damaging it, paired with long, flexible tools that can reach inside to hit the unlock button or pull the handle. There are little devices that can test whether the transponder chip in your key is still transmitting properly. And the key cutting machines? They're specially designed for those odd-shaped car keys with their precise grooves and angles.

These specialised tools are lifesavers in those particularly stressful car moments. Like when you've managed to lock your keys in the trunk along with your groceries on a hot day, the right tools can get you back in without breaking anything or waiting hours for expensive roadside assistance. Or when you've somehow lost every single key to your car (it happens more than you'd think!), these programmers can create and sync new ones for less than the dealership charges. When your push-button start mysteriously stops recognising your key, these tools can diagnose whether it's the key or the car that's got issues. And on freezing winter mornings when nothing seems to work right, they can often repair failing key fobs rather than replacing them entirely.

You'll be thankful for these automotive tools during several car-key crises. The most obvious is the parking lot moment of panic when you see your keys sitting on the driver's seat through the window - automotive locksmiths deal with this daily. Then there's the modern headache of getting duplicate keys for cars with chips in them - far beyond what the hardware store kiosk can handle. When your remote stops locking or unlocking your doors, that's another situation where these specialised tools come to the rescue. Sticky ignitions that make you wrestle with your key every time? They can fix those, too. And extracting broken key pieces from car locks is practically a winter specialty in colder climates - those tiny metal fragments come out thanks to tools designed just for that purpose.

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7. Lock Rekeying Kits

Lock rekeying kits are like the magic wands of the locksmith world. Instead of replacing your entire lock when you want new keys, these clever tools let locksmiths change the inner workings so your old keys no longer work, but your new ones do - all while keeping the same lock on your door!

The locksmith's rekeying arsenal is pretty interesting when you look closely. There are plug followers - simple but essential tools that look like metal cylinders, which hold the tiny springs and pins in place when the lock core is removed (without these, you'd have tiny parts flying everywhere like a mini explosion). Pin tweezers are specialised tools that look like regular tweezers but with extra-fine tips for handling those incredibly small pins and springs. Key decoders gauge the depth of cuts needed on your new keys. Rekeying pins come in assorted sizes, stored in compartmented trays like a watchmaker might use. And for those who work with many brands, universal rekeying kits contain components that work across different lock manufacturers.

These kits solve problems we've all faced. Just moved into a new home but don't want to replace every lock? Rekeying changes the internal pins so old keys won't work anymore. Lost a key and worried someone might find it? Instead of living with that anxiety, rekeying creates new keys while keeping your existing hardware. Want all your doors to work with the same key instead of carrying around a jangling keychain? Rekeying can make that happen. And for landlords or businesses going through staff changes, rekeying provides security without the expense of all new locks.

You'll see rekeying kits used during several common locksmith services. Home security updates often involve rekeying after move-ins, lost keys, or security concerns. Property management is a big one - when tenants change, prudent landlords have locks rekeyed rather than trusting all old keys were returned. Master key system maintenance keeps complex systems functioning through employee changes without complete replacement. New homeowner services typically include rekeying as one of the first security steps. And post-break-in services almost always involve rekeying any locks that weren't damaged, as part of restoring security and peace of mind.

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What are the tools used by locksmiths for opening doors?

The most common tools used by locksmiths for opening doors are lock picks, tension wrenches, bump keys, electric pick guns, key extractors, and specialised entry tools like air wedges and long-reach tools. This collection represents the core toolkit that helps locksmiths get people back into their homes and businesses without causing damage.

Lock picks and tension wrenches are the classic dynamic duo of non-destructive entry. They work together like dance partners - the tension wrench applies slight pressure to the lock cylinder while the picks manipulate the internal pins. It's a skill that takes practice, almost like playing a musical instrument by touch and feel. Good locksmiths develop an almost sixth sense for how much pressure to apply and which pins are binding. These tools are perfect for standard pin tumbler locks on residential doors and many commercial entrances.

Bump keys and electric pick guns come into play when speed is essential or when a lock is proving stubborn to standard picking. A bump key has specially cut teeth that, when struck and turned with just the right technique, can momentarily force all pins to the shear line. Electric pick guns, meanwhile, provide rapid vibration that does something similar - they bounce the pins up while the locksmith applies turning pressure. These are particularly useful during emergency lockouts when someone might be in distress.

The tools change dramatically depending on what type of door and lock you're dealing with. For electronic keypad locks, locksmiths often use bypass tools specific to each model, exploiting known weaknesses without damaging the expensive unit. Car doors require a completely different approach - air wedges create a small gap without damaging the weather sealing, then long-reach tools snake inside to press unlock buttons or pull interior handles. High-security doors with sidebar locks or special pins might need specialised picks designed just for that brand. Commercial aluminium frame glass doors often have Adams Rite locks, which require their own unique set of tools designed for their flat, narrower profile.

And sometimes, the front door isn't actually the best entry point! A good locksmith always evaluates which door will be easiest to open non-destructively. That's why they carry such a wide variety of opening tools - because every door presents its own puzzle to solve, and having the right tool makes all the difference between a quick, damage-free entry and potentially costly repairs.

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What are the tools used by locksmiths for removing broken keys?

The most common tools used by locksmiths for removing broken keys are spiral extractors, hinge extractors, hook extractors, broken key grabbers, and specialised lubricants. This collection of tools helps locksmiths tackle one of the most frustrating locksmith emergencies - when a key snaps off inside a lock, leaving nothing to grip.

Spiral extractors are often the first tool a locksmith reaches for in these situations. They look like tiny metal corkscrews that slide into the keyway alongside the broken fragment. With a gentle twist, the spiral grabs onto the broken key piece, allowing the locksmith to pull it out smoothly. These work wonderfully when there's enough space in the keyway to insert the tool alongside the fragment.

Hook extractors and hinge extractors become essential when the break is flush with the lock face or in awkward positions. Hook extractors have a tiny curved end that can slip behind the broken piece to pull it forward, while hinge extractors work like miniature tweezers that open once inserted, then close to grip the key fragment. Many locksmiths will try several different tools before finding the one that works best for each unique situation.

The tools change depending on where the key is broken. For car ignitions, locksmiths often need extra-slim extractors that can navigate the tighter, more complex keyways. For home door locks, standard extractors usually work well. High-security locks might require specialised extraction kits designed specifically for their unique keyways. And for extracting keys from padlocks or mailboxes, locksmiths sometimes use tools with longer handles for better leverage in these awkwardly positioned locks. The constant across all these scenarios is patience - rushing the extraction process often pushes the fragment deeper and makes the job harder.

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What are the tools used by locksmith for duplicating keys?

The most common tools used by locksmiths for duplicating keys are manual key-cutting machines, electronic key duplicators, key gauges, key blanks, and finishing tools. These are the essential equipment that allows locksmiths to create perfect copies of your keys while you wait.

Manual key-cutting machines are the workhorses you'll find in most locksmith shops - they use a tracer to follow the pattern of your original key while a cutting wheel carves the same pattern into a blank. Electronic duplicators take this to the next level with digital precision, using optical sensors or mechanical probes to record your key's exact pattern and electric motors to cut with incredible accuracy. Key gauges help measure the depth and spacing of cuts on original keys, especially important when making keys by code rather than copying. The blanks themselves come in hundreds of varieties to match different lock brands and types. And don't forget the finishing tools - files and deburrers that smooth any rough edges left by the cutting process, ensuring your new key slides smoothly into the lock.

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What are the tools used by locksmiths for opening car doors?

The most common tools used by locksmiths for opening car doors are automotive entry wedges, long-reach tools, slim jims, auto jigglers, and air pump wedges. This specialised kit helps locksmiths get you back into your vehicle without damaging the paint, windows, or internal mechanisms.

Air wedges and plastic wedges create the important first step in the process. They're inserted carefully between the door and the frame to create a small gap - just enough to work with but not enough to damage the weather stripping or bend the door frame. The air wedge inflates to create space while distributing pressure evenly to prevent damage. Once that gap is created, long-reach tools come into play - these are flexible rods with various end attachments that can snake into the vehicle to push unlock buttons, pull interior handles, or manipulate lock rods.

Slim jims are the classic car entry tools you might have seen in movies, though they're used less frequently on modern vehicles. They're thin metal strips that slide between the window and weather stripping to hook onto and manipulate the locking mechanism directly. Auto jigglers are specialised try-out keys that can work on certain vehicle makes and models without creating any gap at all.

The tools change dramatically depending on the car make, model, and year. Older vehicles with manual locks often respond well to slim jims and similar tools. Modern cars with electronic locks and complex security systems require more sophisticated approaches focusing on creating access for long-reach tools to activate interior electronic buttons. Luxury vehicles often have additional anti-theft measures that might require specialised tools unique to that manufacturer. And some newer vehicles with advanced security systems may need electronic bypass tools that communicate with the car's computer. A good automotive locksmith arrives with a variety of options, knowing that each vehicle presents its own unique challenge.

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How to choose a Trusted and Licensed Locksmith in Australia

Finding someone you can trust with your home or business security isn't something to take lightly. When you're looking for a locksmith in Australia, start by asking how long they've been solving lock problems - experience matters in this trade where each situation is unique. A locksmith who's been around the block knows the quirks of different locks and security systems.

Don't be shy about asking for their credentials either. Here in Australia, legitimate locksmiths need proper security licensing for their state. It's like checking if your doctor has a medical license - it's just common sense when someone's handling your security.

Before making that call, take a quick peek at what other people are saying online. Google reviews, Facebook comments - they tell you the real story about reliability, honesty, and quality. Are people mentioning fair prices and clean work, or are there complaints about surprise charges and locks that needed fixing again a week later?

Response time matters too, especially when you're standing outside in the rain with groceries melting in the car! A professional locksmith should be upfront about how quickly they can reach you and actually show up when promised. The good ones understand that your time matters.

Finally, ask what else they can do besides just open locks. Professional locksmiths offer a range of services - from rekeying and master key systems to security upgrades and smart lock installations. A broader service range usually indicates a more established, knowledgeable professional rather than someone who just knows one trick.

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Why choose Lostkey locksmith for locksmith services in Sydney?

We started Lost Key Locksmiths with a simple idea - be the locksmith we wish we'd found during our own lockouts. You know that feeling when you're standing outside your house or car, keys nowhere to be found? That's when most companies hit you with those crazy callout fees just because they can. We decided to do things differently - that's why we don't charge any callout fee. Zero dollars to come to you, no matter when you need us.

Over the years, we've grown from a small operation to serving folks all across Sydney, but we've kept that same friendly approach. Nothing makes our day like the relief on someone's face when we get them back into their home or car without the drama or damage that some less experienced locksmiths might cause.

Our Google reviews tell the story better than we could - that 5-star rating comes from hundreds of Sydneysiders who found themselves in sticky situations. Like the mum who called us in tears because her toddler had accidentally locked themselves in the bathroom, or the business owner who needed all their locks changed after a security breach late on a Friday.

Every van in our fleet is like a mobile workshop, packed with those specialised tools we've been talking about. Our locksmiths don't just carry the proper New South Wales security licenses - they bring years of experience solving all sorts of tricky lock situations. Whether it's a vintage lock on a heritage property or the latest smart lock that's stopped talking to your phone, we've got the tools and know-how to sort it.

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