Locksmith

Locksmith

Josh-the-Locksmith

25 Years Experience

Austin, TX

Male, 46

I've been a locksmith since 1998. I did automotive residential & commercial work from 1998 to 2008. From 2008 to 2018, I did some residential, but mostly commercial work. I have been project managing & estimating since 2018. I used to locksmith in the Chicago area, now the Austin area.

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Last Answer on June 11, 2024

Best Rated

My father passed away recently and we found a key. It is a Medeco key. It believe it is Medeco part number AC13LLMEDKEY. (found via google). Any ideas what kind of lock it goes to?

Asked by Jdemon over 8 years ago

I searched that number and it came up with a mailbox key. Did he have a PO Box?

I’m in search really for an answer to a question and with you being a locksmith should be able to give me a straight answer. Sorry for ramble but been round the houses with whole thing. Firstly my UPVC door lock stopped locking the door. Council sent a locksmith tomake safe, he was unable to lock the door at all, so he fitted a single Sash jammer only advising to ring council this morning for urgent fixing. I had rows with the council today as they told me my door “was now “secured” and no one will attend to fix the lock until 17th 4 nights. Only with this sash jammer.
My question is
Would you class this as suficiant and class the door as “secured and safe” which can be left for 4 days? Or class it still as urgent fixing! Please help, to add to it a contractor has now re attended due to my kicking off with council. The lock can not be fixed he’s screwed a handle over the outside holes, it can now be locked but he thinks that it’s a case of wrong handle for the mechanism they don’t pair up, so I’m only on the sash jammer for another 2 days, even then it’s not certain to be fixed then either. Any advice would be great ful. Many thanks.

Asked by Sue almost 9 years ago

I had to google “sash jammer”, never heard of that term! I don’t know the whole situation with why they haven’t properly replaced your lock- could be they have to special order the parts. Some doors use specialty parts that aren’t available at your local hardware stores. It wouldn’t be fair for me to judge the management company. I’m sure there is a legitimate reason, as they would be liable to leave your door unsecured. Is the sash lock securing your door? You tell me. If you were to go on the outside of your door, do you have to use reasonable force to get it open if you didn’t have a key? If yes, then it’s secure enough. Is it the most secure lock on the market? Definitely not. Is it as secure as your old lock? Maybe not. But it is temporary, correct? 2-4 days isn’t the end of the world. It may seem like it, but you have to remember that you and management are the only ones who know your door isn’t as secure as it used to be. To the common criminal, your door is just as secure as everyone else’s, so you’re not a target unless you put a sign on your door that says so.

A door has been locked from the inside and I don't have a spare key. Can a key be cut from a picture of the outside lock? I don't want to have to damage the door

Asked by Sam over 9 years ago

No, not possible. It doesn't mean you have to damage the door/lock though. The door can be picked open, lock disassembled, and a key made to the lock. Call a reputable company though, don't just look for the cheapest price.

What kind of metal holds latch to back of cabinet lock? Solder aluminum etc.?

Asked by Kjt457 over 7 years ago

I would guess steel or pot metal. All depends on the brand, quality, etc.

I’m buying a new/used lock cylinder for my 05 Chevy Malibu for a salvage seller that comes with transponder keys for it already. I assume those keys are already programmed to a different gym vehicle. Will I be able to reprogram those keys to my vehic

Asked by Robert over 7 years ago

Yes you should be able to do that.

I want to change the deadbolt on my apartment door. I was told by a lawyer that the landlord likely has a master key that will open anything, even if it is a different brand of deadbolt. How can I ensure that a master key will not unlock my door?

Asked by svak216 almost 8 years ago

Haha there’s no such thing as a “key that will open anything”. That’s some terrible information, whoever told you that. You can’t lock your landlord out, they own the property. If they find that you have changed the lock without their permission, they have the ability to charge you to correct the problem, assuming that is in the contract you signed. They make privacy deadbolts that allow you to lock the door from the inside with no way to access it from the outside. It’s called a one-sided deadbolt. They require them on all rental properties here in Texas for that very purpose, for privacy so your landlord doesn’t walk in on you. You could request 1 that your landlord let you get 1 of those installed?

Morning ,I am not really sure of what's going on. . Eating my food, taking personal toiletries and even took a shower one day.. sounds like the maintenance workers or management because I hear keys on the audio recording....

Asked by Dahh over 7 years ago

I don't have a good answer for you I'm sorry to say. I think your troubles may be bigger than any lock or security product can solve. I can only advise that you don't stick any more money into it if you have tried cameras, security system, AND locks. I don't know anyone who can crack all of those with no damage, and only to take a shower and eat some food? It doesn't add up.