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After hearing about another of my fellow locksmiths going to a job only to be robbed at gunpoint and have all of his equipment and inventory stolen, I can't help but reflect on some of my own experiences in my earlier years in the industry. I’ve been in all sorts of situations. Most of the calls I get are from honest people who are looking for an honest locksmith. But every once in a while, it’s something different. Mine is a career where I could unintentionally put my life

Today I’m going to share what may be an unpopular opinion. But the time has come, and here it is: Graphite powder is FOOLS GOLD. DON’T USE IT. Let me explain. A Brief History of Graphite in Locks 150 years ago until the late 1900s, graphite powder was a standard lubricant used in locksmithing. It was favored because it is dry, so it wouldn’t cause rust. The powder is fine enough that it wouldn’t impede the lock’s operation with friction. It's not affected by extreme temperatu

In Wisconsin, at some point the average temperatures change from cool days and chilly nights to below freezing most of the time; by deep winter, many people notice their locks and doors functioning differently. This happens because of the way temperature affects the materials inside of locks and doors. Let's look more closely at what's going on. How Temperature Affects Lock Materials Most locks today are made of metal parts; metal expands when it is warm and contracts w

l that's a new one!