Locksmithing from the original term ‘locks’ is the art and craft of creating, opening, designing, shaping, assembling, or breaking of locks.
Usually, this is a type of skill that is learned and in some few countries across the world, it involves a successful completion of an apprenticeship. As a matter of fact, some countries have training certificates awarded to participants or apprentice.
In other words, locksmithing could simply be referred to as a skill of replacing or repairing damaged locks/keys to homes and businesses in order to maintain a high level of security. This skill can also be applied in automobiles.
Locksmithing today involves designing, and management of keys/locks control system. Basically, anyone who is into the work of locksmithing is referred to as a locksmith.
The Work of A Locksmith
Basically, a locksmith is someone with special expertise to repair or make locks. A locksmith is simply responsible for the maintenance of keys and locks, unlocking andre-keying, including the designing and installation.
The work of a locksmith in any organization can also range from determining a level of risk to anyone, group or association and then coming up with recommendations and appropriate combinations, codes of security layers that block access to intruders, threats, or an attacker. Therefore, the primary purpose of a locksmith is to assist with the security lock systems of a home or a business, including automobiles. This is why locksmithing is a skill because it involves special knowledge to understand different security layers and the tools to defeat all threats and risks.
Anybody can learn the art of locksmithing, but not every locksmith will know completely the mechanism involved for different key combination and layers. Although, technology keeps improving everyday and the locksmithing tasks are becoming easier by the hour.
Auto-locksmithing
As we have clearly highlighted above, auto-locksmithing is the skill of creating or replacing locks and keys of vehicles, cars, bikes, trucks including earth-moving equipment. Therefore, in cases where there is an emergency lockout situation, or a need for a car key service, an auto-locksmith is tasked to do this job.
Although a local car dealer can also do the job but a locksmith will do better because auto-locksmith can come to your location to have your keys repaired or replaced. Besides, their prices are usually more affordable than consulting a car dealer or an auto mechanic.
Here are six categories of tasks an auto-locksmith can carry out:
Similar to the auto locksmith, residential or commercial locksmithing simply refers to the maintenance of locks/key services in a home or business establishment.
Residential locksmithing involves resolving locks and key issues in most homes including non-commercial buildings and properties. For some homes, it could simply be about resolving or installing electronic locks, digital locks, windows, garage, or simply getting a lock change.
Commercial or industrial locksmithing on the other hand refers to businesses such as offices, hotels, banks, schools, hospitals and other public maintained spaces. Commercial locksmith job could also range from combination locks, lock change, electronic locks, re-key and maintenance of mailbox and cabinets.
This involved a higher level of expertise as it usually involves combating crimes. Locksmiths in this situation require the help of some special tools to be able to figure out or investigate how a lock was broken, hacked or opened. An analysis is therefore carried supported by a clear report which gives a clear situation report including coming up with possible locksmith solutions in order to avoid repetition.
Opportunities In Locksmithing
Locksmithing is quite profitable and rewarding once you have the required expertise that is needed to succeed. Just as there are challenges in every other profession, locksmithing has its own limits and downsides. However, the advantages and pros outweigh the disadvantages and cons. The sky is the limit for any Locksmith if you are ready to keep up to date on the new approaches and trends in the world of locksmithing.
Aspiring locksmiths can be trained within 6 months, but it takes years to fully graduate from the beginner status to the advanced level. The beauty of locksmith is that despite the number of people doing the business already, it is not over-saturated. There is still more room for locksmiths to join the parade. There are a number of locksmith company who recruit people from time to time. Again, there is still enough room to be part of the group of solution bearers. For you to be successful in the world of locksmithing, you must have high problem-solving skill, sound attention to details, improved learning adaptability, patience, and an outstanding customer relationship skill.
Once you have mastered the art of key identification, key making, building security systems, lock picking, and installation, key making including car key, you can then apply the following tools below where necessary. There are some basic tools that are needed to get you started in the world of locksmith and we have listed these tools based on different categories under locksmithing.