Here you will find some tips that will help you to become more adapt at manipulating locks. Solutions to common problems and general miscellaneous information that could prove useful.

Here at locksmith training merseyside we will teach you all the handy little tips that will come in so useful in you locksmith career.

A lot of rented properties use cheap budget brand cylinders and locks, these should be easier to pick / bump open.

If you are opening a door from the inside and are removing the handles for snapping, remember to keep hold of the spindle, that way you avoid the outside handle faling and getting damaged.

Ask about spare keys before automatically destroying the lock, there might be a spare set in the house.

Get use to spotting makes of locks, some are easy, and some are hard to mpick, drill , bump etc, if you get use to the different makes you will get a feel for what makes pick, drill, easier etc.

If you are going to drill a lock then count the pins in side before hand, with a feeler pick, that way you wont drill to far and end up drilling into the cam and rendering it useless.

Always ask the house holder if the lock was working fine before the problem with it, or was there any problems with it and what they were.

Determining the Direction of Rotation.

Before you can pick a tumbler type lock, you must determine the correct direction of rotation. It may sound like a trivial point, but who wants to waste hours trying to pick a lock the wrong direction. Though there will of course be exceptions, there are some general guidelines. Cylindrical locks, padlocks, file cabinet locks almost always turn in a clockwise direction or either direction to open. When confronted with a door lock, turn the plug so that the top of the keyhole turns toward the edge of the door. There is a notable exception here, Corbin and Russwin locks turn AWAY from the door edge.

Tight or Dirty Locks.

If a lock seems exceptionally tight or dirty, it will be hard to break the pins. It may help to lubricate the lock. NEVER use a liquid type lubrication such as WD40, 3-in-1 oil, etc... Use powdered graphite, available in most hardware stores. It comes in a little tube, allowing a light squeeze to blow a puff of graphite into the keyway. If lubrication does not help, you may need to apply a little firmer hand on the tension wrench.

Proper Attitude.

It is very important to maintain a confident attitude while you are learning to pick locks. If you feel nervous or stressed, it will only make things harder. You will not be able to pick every lock you come to, but with practice and patience, you may be surprised. Visualise what is happening inside the lock, this is the key. If you don't fully understand how a lock works and exactly what you are doing to it, you will not experience a high degree of success.

Locksmith Tools

Locksmithing is a profession that involves a lot of skill and competence. Depending on what you decide to specialize in when you open your business, the tools and equipment required to do the job will vary. Not so long ago, locksmiths were able to open small key shops in their town and make a nice living. They didn't need a lot of equipment or tools and the cost of the start-up inventory was minimal. These shops specialized in residential work such as installing door hardware, lock installation, changing out locks, rekeying locks and making copies of keys. Unfortunately, the local lock and key shop is a thing of the past in many cities and towns across the uk. The superstore chains like ASDA  have just instaled key cutting machines and no doubt more will follow. Don't despair; locksmithing is a recession-proof business and locksmiths will never be without work! The business model has to change with the times and adapt to new technology as with any other business.

Locksmiths today work with an assortment of special tools designed for the trade as well as hand and power tools commonly found at hardware stores. Many locksmiths choose to make some of their tools themselves. The tools of the trade can be purchased from locksmith supply houses. Many locksmith supply houses will sell only to locksmiths, but there are many others that will also sell to other security professionals. Any locksmith will tell you to buy the best grade tools you can. You can't imagine the headaches you'll face if you're on a job and your tools break because they are of poor quality or work improperly. A locksmith needs reliable, high-grade tools that will last a long time and do the job right. Buy the best you can, a little at a time, and, as your business improves you can add to your toolbox. Space is another consideration. You'll need a place to store your supplies and equipment, to work in, and have enough room to be comfortable.

Beginning locksmiths and students of the trade will also need all kinds of locks to take apart, examine, repair and salvage for parts. Look for used and second hand locks from junk yards, garage and carboot sales, salvage yards, and pawn shops.

Locksmith duties include installation, repair and maintainence of all types of major locks, door closures, and panic hardware systems. 
They must know how to:

Open locks by use of lockpicking tools, dismantling or other methods; repair locks by replacement of broken parts; adjust or recombinate locks to the master / sub-master system in use.
Assist in determining methods to be used, including but not limited to key cutting and duplication, adjusting or changing key combinations and recombinating locks.
Perform periodic maintenance and repair on door closure systems, including but not limited to key card systems and electromagnetic systems.
Use key cutting machines, drills, saws, buffers and grinders, key gauges and locksmith tools.

ONE OF THE BEST TIPS

Never go out to a call out job without first without first confirming the contact details / phone number by ringing them back and checking if its a real and genuine call out or just a time waster, which locksmiths tend to get quite a lot of, this is esp true on a night call out , remember always phone back and double check that its a genuine job and not just a timewaster, before you go out to a job .

Also get as much info as possible while the customer is on the phone, ie what type of doors is it - upvc or wooden, have they lost the keys while out shopping or has the door slammed shut while theyre putting the bin out, is both locks on, is there one or two locks on the door, that way you,ll have an idea of what to expect when you get to the job. Also rememeber the customer might not live there, they might be trying to gain entry to rob the place or they might be an ex partner returning to the property, by asking lots of questions you,ll get an idea if they are telling the truth or not .

LOCKOUT CONTRACT

You might want to get a lockout contract drawn up , so that before you start work on the lockout you can get the customer to print and sign their name on it and take their picture on your camara phone so that you have recorded their details to cover yourself in the future. Most folk wont mind you doing this if they are genuinely locked out, here at locksmith training merseyside we give out as part of the course paperwork our own lockout contract for you to use with your own name on it .

Here at locksmith training merseyside we will show you what locksmith tools you will be using everyday and what locksmith tools will be sat at the bottom of your toolbox for months not being used.