A pinning kit is a locksmith tool set used to rekey, repin, or build lock cylinders by supplying the individual pins needed inside a pin tumbler lock. A pinning kit typically includes bottom pins, top pins (drivers), and springs in a range of sizes, organized in a labeled case or pinning mat so a locksmith...
An air wedge is an inflatable locksmith tool used to create a small, controlled gap between a car door and its frame during non-destructive automotive entry. Made from a durable, puncture-resistant bladder, the air wedge is inserted into the door seam and then inflated using a hand pump, gradually widening the gap without scratching paint...
A key extractor is a specialized locksmith tool designed to remove a broken, stuck, or snapped key fragment from inside a lock cylinder without damaging the surrounding mechanism. When a key breaks off inside a door lock, padlock, or ignition, the remaining piece blocks the keyway and prevents the lock from being used until it's...
A tension wrench, also called a tension tool or torque wrench in locksport, is a thin, L-shaped or bent piece of metal used to apply light rotational pressure to a lock cylinder's plug while picking. It is inserted into the bottom or top of the keyway alongside a lock pick, and it's the tool that...
An SFIC core (Small Format Interchangeable Core) is a compact, self-contained lock cylinder that can be removed and replaced by hand using a control key, without disassembling the surrounding lock hardware. SFIC cores are a category of interchangeable core (IC core) widely used in commercial master key systems, allowing facility managers and locksmiths to swap...
A rim cylinder is a type of lock cylinder designed to be mounted on the surface of a door, most commonly used with rim locks and rim-mounted exit devices such as jimmy-proof locks and panic bars. Unlike a mortise cylinder, which is installed inside the door itself, a rim cylinder sits on the exterior face...
A lock pick gun (also called a pick gun or snap gun) is a locksmith tool designed to open pin tumbler locks quickly by transferring a sharp impact into the lock's pins instead of manually picking each one. When the trigger is pulled, a thin needle strikes the bottom pins, momentarily bouncing the top pins...
A plug spinner is a specialized locksmith tool used to quickly rotate a lock cylinder plug back to its correct position after it has been turned in the wrong direction during lock picking. When a pin tumbler lock is picked incorrectly, the plug can rotate opposite to the normal unlocking direction, preventing the pins from...
A transponder chip key is an automotive key that contains a small embedded electronic chip used to verify the key's identity to the vehicle's engine immobilizer system. Unlike a standard mechanical key, a transponder key must be electronically recognized by the car before the engine will start, adding a critical layer of anti-theft protection. Since...
A Lishi tool is a precision locksmith instrument used to pick and decode pin tumbler and wafer locks in a single motion, most commonly on automotive door locks and ignitions. Unlike traditional lock picks, a Lishi tool combines picking and reading capabilities in one device, allowing a locksmith to open the lock and identify the...
Key duplication is the process of creating an exact copy of an existing key so it operates the same lock as the original. A locksmith or key-cutting technician uses the original key as a reference — either by tracing its shape mechanically or scanning it electronically — and cuts a matching key blank to the...
A door shim is a thin, flexible locksmith tool used to bypass certain spring latch locks without a key, by slipping between the door and the frame and manipulating the latch bolt directly. Door shims — sometimes called latch shims or lock shims — are commonly made of thin metal or durable plastic and are...
A padlock is a portable, detachable lock with a shackle that can be passed through a hasp, chain link, or fastening point to secure two objects together. Unlike locks built into a door, a padlock is a standalone unit — it can be moved between doors, gates, lockers, chains, or storage units as needed. Padlocks...
A lock cylinder is the core mechanical component inside a lock that accepts a key and controls whether the lock turns and releases. It sits inside the lock body — whether that's a deadbolt, knob lock, mortise lock, or padlock — and houses the pins, springs, and plug that make the locking mechanism work. When...
A key cutting machine is a locksmith device used to cut key blanks into functional keys that match an original key or a specific key code. It is one of the most essential tools in any locksmith shop and is widely used for residential, commercial, and automotive key duplication. Key cutting machines allow locksmiths and...
A key blank is an uncut key — a piece of key-shaped metal, usually brass, nickel silver, or steel, that has not yet had grooves or cuts machined into it to match a specific lock. Key blanks are manufactured to match the keyway of a particular lock brand and model, such as Kwikset KW1, Schlage...
A locksmith is a skilled tradesperson who works with locks, keys, and security systems, helping homes, businesses, and vehicles stay secure and accessible. Locksmithing combines mechanical knowledge, problem-solving, and security expertise — modern locksmiths work not only with traditional mechanical locks but also with electronic locks, access control systems, and automotive key technology. Locksmith services are used across residential homes, commercial properties, vehicles, and institutional facilities wherever reliable, secure access is required.
