Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The Professional Locksmith

The professional locksmith has evolved over the years from a part time guy to change your locks and unlock your car when you leave the keys in it, to a polished career that took years to learn. Today many locksmiths also offer home security services, and they set up the entire process.

Yes, they still make keys and repair locks even with the broken key stuck inside. One of the services a locksmith offers is to check your home or business to be sure that burglar will not get back in. You don’t need to wait for the burglar to break in, and remember that old saying that they lock the barn door after the horse ran away.

Not much has changed today, nothing but the locks that have become stronger and far more efficient. Many newer cars have warning devices when a person locks the car with the key still in the ignition, and some even have buttons to lock or unlock the doors. So you may think that the locksmith isn’t called like he was in the past.

To a degree, that may be true, but the locksmith has become a specialist in his field. He understands how a key unlocks the lock. With a few simple tools, he doesn’t need the key, and those same devices when carried by a would be burglar will get arrested before he even uses the tools.

A locksmith relies greatly on return business, and if you wait until an emergency to call him, you may have to pay surcharges if you call in the off-hour. Even though they offer 24-7 services and they may charge mileage if you are outside the city. Just remember, it is his business and you pay for his knowledge.

You can pay for a locksmith to come to your home and/or business and check out your security. He may suggest that you have only one or two master keys and the remaining keys work on individual areas. That way when an employee is no longer employed, you’ll only have to pay for one lock to be replaced.

A modern locksmith will also set up a hidden safe in your home or business. He can repair or replace any parts as well. Often the locksmith has at his disposal key making machines and he can do the repairs or change any locks on the spot.

The best time to check out a locksmith is when you don’t need him, but rest assured, you will need him and probably in the near future.

Astro Locksmith specializes in Locksmiths in Boston ,24 HR Emergency locksmith and Boston Locksmith.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Choose the Best Lock & Key Expert for Your Business

To find the lock and key expert you should search for the best one in your area in advance, before you need him. You don’t want to choose the expert that has the largest advertisement in the Yellow Pages to come to your business, to make your keys, and even to unlock your safe. You’ll need someone who has a place of business, can give you references, and is licensed, insured and bonded.
However there will be times when you have to call a complete stranger to get you out of a jam. It will probably be the worst time ever, and you may have left your cell phone at home. As you walk to the nearest pay phone, if there are any left in your area, you can still ask him the necessary questions, and investigate him fully later.

You won’t want a novice either. It takes years of training and experience for a Locksmith to learn the trade and if he claims all of the above, still check him out and ask for references. We live in a world where the thief is as knowledgeable as the professional.

How will the best lock and key expert help you in protecting your business? The commercial locksmith will re-key your locks for your business; program your keys; set up a master key for use on all locks in your establishment and have specialized keys for specific areas; he’ll help you with your intercom, alarms, closed circuit television; commercial security systems; and exit devices. In other words the lock and key expert will have the training and certifications to back up all of his claims.

Once you’ve found the exact fit of your locksmith remember he is in business to earn a living. His knowledge and time is what you will pay for. It may take him minutes to fix your problems, and it could have taken hours or days for you to do the job correctly. Remember he has to travel to your place of business, and he has the necessary tools to do the job. Those don’t come cheap either.

Your locksmith will be available seven days a week and twenty-four hours each day. That is worth a great deal when you find your front door smashed and the windows broken. He’ll help you install a new door, and repair broken locks.

When you find the locksmith that is honest, reliable, and knowledgeable, hold on to him because you will need him again. 

Astro Locksmith specializes in Boston Locksmith services, Locksmiths in Boston and 24 hour Locksmith Boston.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Don’t Get Ripped Off By Locksmiths

You may think you’ll never need a locksmith, or you’ll never get locked out of your car, especially if the engine’s running or a child or pet is locked inside. Not good situations. Your best bet is to find a local locksmith that is upfront about his char\gees, and before you need him is preferred. Otherwise you may end up paying hundreds of dollars for a simple job.

A locksmith is required by law to be licensed and bonded. He should have proof of the license with him. Most locksmiths work for many years to learn their trade, and an honest locksmith is worth his weight. Don’t be afraid to tell the person on the phone that you’ll call back, and then find someone else in the business. Don’t settle for just anyone.

In an emergency like we’ve mentioned before, when the locksmith answers the phone, ask him his location, and does he charge travel time plus mileage? You shouldn’t have to pay him to drive to your home or location. The charges for the work should be sufficient. Many are not.

Ask first how they charge. Is there a charge for opening the door? Another charge for taking the lock off the door? Then another charge for making the key plus the key itself? See how they can add charge upon charge, and after the fact you will be forced to comply. There are no laws that force a locksmith to charge certain fees.

To help the locksmith to give you a charge over the phone, there are a few questions that you’ll need to answer before you even make the call. What kind of door is the lock on? Is it a wood door, a metal door, or metal or wood jambs? Is the lock a deadbolt?

If you’re calling about your car, they need to know the year, type and model of car. Also they will need the VIN number. You’ll find that on your original papers and insurance papers, or on the car itself. You can find the VIN number on the driver’s side of the windshield, on the lower left side. You’ll also need the license number of your car so he will be able to identify you.

To avoid all of the confusion, you can find out the answers and charges in advance. That is the prudent way of finding a locksmith. At that point call the Better Business Bureau to make sure the locksmith is legitimate. Make the call before you need him.

Astro Locksmith specializes in Boston Locksmith services, Locksmiths in Boston and 24 hour Locksmith Boston.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Boston Locksmith: Key Cutting is an Art

You probably never even consider your keys until you have either lost one or damaged it in some way. Then you want a locksmith, and you want him in a hurry. Have you ever considered the locksmith to be an artist? Well he has to be to do the job you demand of him (or her in today’s world).

The local locksmith has to have the modern machines that copy keys in seconds. There are several different machine types used today and they are typically the semi-automatic, automatic, code key, and laser key cutter. Some may even have all of them, but how do they work you ask?

The semi-automatic key cutter machine, and it may be the most common, requires the locksmith to place the original key in a vice grip while the duplicate key is placed in another grip. A micrometer traces the outline of the original key and cuts the duplicate key with a high-speed blade. But wait, he’s not finished yet because the machine then goes back over the key to be sure there are no loose spurs of metal. That way the locksmith is certain that the new key is an exact copy.

The automatic key cutting machine does most of the work itself. It first traces the outline of the original key and cuts the duplicate key from the traced outline. Within 20 seconds the automatic key cutting machine makes the duplicate.

The laser key cutting machines works similar to the automatic key cutting machine. The laser cuts the new key with the laser instead of blades like the automatic and semi-automatic.

The code key cutting machine cuts keys in mere seconds with coded key cards. The code key cutting machine copies the notches from the original card, then he inserts a blank card and the duplicate key is made.

So who needs a locksmith? We said the locksmith is an artist and he is. He studied for many years before he could even get his license. The locksmith needs to know how to control and maintain his equipment, and he probably knows the ins and outs of all of the new cutting machines. He can cut and repair any key you give him.

The most important thing you need to know about your locksmith is that you can trust him. You trust him to have keys made to your home, your business, your vehicles, and probably your safes. A reliable locksmith is worth his (or her) weight.

Astro Locksmith specializes in Boston Locksmith services, Locksmiths in Boston and 24 hour Locksmith Boston.

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