I'm locked out of my Fishtown apartment, can you get me back inside without damaging the door?
We work on locks where they are and use non-destructive entry techniques first: lock picks, bypass tools, and handled lock manipulation for bored locks and single-cylinder deadbolts. If a cylinder or strike is failing and must be removed, we explain the trade-offs and proceed with the least-invasive repair or replacement option that secures the door.
Someone tried to force my front lock, can you fix or replace it now?
If it is recent, let the police look before anyone else; don't change anything about the door until they have looked at it. We inspect the cylinder, bolt, strike plate, and door edge to determine whether parts can be repaired or must be replaced. Our vans carry common cylinders, deadbolts, and mounting hardware so we can often swap a damaged lock on-site. We’ll make sure the bolt engages cleanly and that the new or repaired hardware fits the door and frame.
I broke a key off in my deadbolt in the evening, so can you pull the broken piece out and make a new key?
We extract broken key fragments using extractor tools and small vises, then test the cylinder for damage before cutting a replacement. If the core is too worn or the key left metal debris, we may recommend swapping the cylinder. Pennsylvania doesn’t issue state locksmith credentials, so we describe our methods and the tools we use instead of a state credential.
