disaster of the workday

[victorylocksmith]

so a few days ago i was working on a property with a patio. being the unprofessional locksmith that i am, when i work in the field, i always work on the ground outside or inside the property. this time i was working on the ground of the patio, in the process of working, i dropped my kwikset cylinder removal tool and it feel through the microscopic floor boards. let's just say i was not able to get it out....

then i get called up to do a job the next day and guess what? i needed to rekey a few locks, including a kwikset knobset, only now, i didnt have the kwikset cylinder removal tool. so i basically crammed a screwdriver and used it as a makeshift tool. in the process, i screwed up one of the prongs that holds the lock in but, to be fair, it was an old crappy lock anyways that would have needed replacing eventually. anyways, the lock is still secure and works properly. the lady living there also claims she doesnt even plan on locking most of the locks, in this case she wouldnt even lock this lock due to it being on the doorway connecting the garage to the house. now, i have to drive 20+ miles to the locksmith supplier in order to pick up a stupid $5. ARGH

[MSL]

At least you didn't drop your brand new key machine in the sink while trying to mount it onto a board. Because that would be a terrible thing to do, and an even more terrible thing to ever have to admit to.

Yep. Good thing that never happened to anybody around here.

[cledry]

You can just use two small screwdrivers it works just as well as the tool.

[billdeserthills]

That sucks, I still have the tool my Dad made when he lost his. I have a big pile of the extra tools that I lose most and remember a AA battery fits schlage & kwikset as a follower, AAA for the american padlock cylinder

[billdeserthills]

You should get a tablecloth, tarp or a sheet, so next time you win

[1mrchristopher]

Since it is an inexpensive, but easily lost tool, buy two or three of them. The tarp/tablecloth idea is a good one too. What kind of vehicle are you working out of currently? If it's a pickup, a low pile carpet scrap (should have no trouble getting one free) screwed to the tailgate makes a fantastic work surface. Pins won't bounce off of it when they fall, and your knees aren't subject to quite as much abuse. Here's to a better tomorrow!

[alockguru]

son I have like 5 of those things laying around...

[alockguru]

<censored> son I have like 5 of those things laying around...

"d*mn son" friggin censor...

[1mrchristopher]

<censored> son I have like 5 of those things laying around...

"d*mn son" friggin censor...

I've only got 3, but I wouldn't ever want to lose one (what can I say, I'm cheap). I've been cogitating on the idea of putting a handle on one, out of wood or scrap micarta. Would feel nicer in the hand, although it isn't really in your hand long enough for that to matter. There are just plenty of decks in my neck of the woods, and I could see myself doing this exact same thing.

[alockguru]

<censored> son I have like 5 of those things laying around...

"d*mn son" friggin censor...

I've only got 3, but I wouldn't ever want to lose one (what can I say, I'm cheap). I've been cogitating on the idea of putting a handle on one, out of wood or scrap micarta. Would feel nicer in the hand, although it isn't really in your hand long enough for that to matter. There are just plenty of decks in my neck of the woods, and I could see myself doing this exact same thing.

I've lost a few things as well to decks

For me its been mostly a pick or tension wrench. Once a can of Tri-Flow Rolled off the 2nd story condo I was working at into some kind of courtyard I tried to go get it after the job but it had also fell into some weird 10 foot below ground patio that only the bottom condo could enter.

[globallockytoo]

mobile locksmiths worst nightmare: dropping your .003 pinning kit in your truck and pins get into every nook and cranny. Too much of a waste of time to pick em up and sort them out....just buy a new kit for $180 and try to not forget to close and lock the bloody thing.

I must have about 4 or 5 empty kits in the workshop. I drop one at least once every year or two. ARGH!

[billdeserthills]

I think Lab makes a complete refill set of pins for about $100

[globallockytoo]

I think Lab makes a complete refill set of pins for about $100

yeah...if you want to spend the time to refill the kit....bugga that! that interupts my drinking time....lol

[Dan82]

ITs good to have extra cylinders on hand. They cost a few bucks a piece

[billdeserthills]

I think Lab makes a complete refill set of pins for about $100

yeah...if you want to spend the time to refill the kit....bugga that! that interupts my drinking time....lol

My Dad dropped his pin kit once, I was working as an apprentice so it became my job to "clean up this pin kit" That has kept me really careful for soo many years.

I bet you could sell the empty boxes to someone who needs a real pin kit