day in the life of a locksmith

[ltdbjd]

A day in my life ...

My days are pretty unique as far as locksmithing goes. I don't do "regular" locksmithing any longer (I used to work both in a shop and in the field). Due to circumstances detailed below, I tend to do more metal working than locksmithing.

I work at a fairly new prison (15 years old), that is breaking apart at such a pace it would make the Titanic wince. Unfortunately, as far as prisons go, it's a beautiful facility. There are no bars. Just block walls, lots of windows, and a lot of painted steel. In fact, if you want to see the inside of the prison, just Google "Lockdown: Newbies." It was an episode of Lockdown filmed at my facility.

I do about 60% of my work with a grinder - a die grinder and an angle grinder. My typical day involves enlarging metal strikes, grinding metal doors and frames, grinding concrete, adjusting hinges, etc. A lot of my time is spent compensating for building movement; latches that don't line up, doors binding in their frames and on the concrete floor, etc. Most days I feel more like a metal worker than a locksmith. I guess I'm fortunate that I enjoy that type of work too.

Of course, I do get to play with a lot of locks and keys. Even the big fun ones; Southern Folger (aka Folger Adam and Southen Steel), Moguls, sliding steel doors, high security locking systems, etc.

We had a new prison built in 1981 (the "North facility.") It was supposed to last at least 50 years. 15 years later, it was having such structural issues they had to build a new facility (the "South facility"). In 2001 they abandoned the North facility. For whatever reason, they built the South facility on the same land as the North facility. Engineering was done correctly, but the contractors took shortcuts. As a result, we are having the same issues. The building is breaking apart because of ground movement. The South facility was supposed to last at least 50 years. Now 15 years later, we are looking at building a new facility ... Again.

Here's a pretty good article about the issues: http://www.wyomingnews.com/news/structural-problems-plague-wyoming-state-penitentiary/article_defe7c5e-2bb1-11e6-b600-073b6a570ce6.html. If you Google Wyoming State Penitentiary, you'll get a host of other articles.

I love my job. Had left for about a year to seek fame and fortune on the railroad. But a furlough that was expected to last 2 to 4 years changed that, so I went back. I'm really looking forward to the new facility. I get to start over with a brand new system. Over the years of not having a trained locksmith, the current facility became a quagmire of different manufacturers, keyways, locking systems, hacked up master key systems, etc. I'm looking forward to having and maintaining a pristine system. And I suspect I'll have a lot of say in in the new systems. They may not follow my advise and suggestions, but at least I'll get to put my 2 cents in.

All in all, I have a great job. I work with some great people (coworkers, not inmates). I've had great bosses who have given me the freedom and liberty to go out and do my job without interference (the benefit of integrity, hard work and proven results). And I work in a nice environment as far as prisons go. The Physical Plant staff is short handed, so I'll help out with other trades (some people don't do windows, I don't do clogged toilets and other less pleasant tasks). It keeps everything fresh and exciting.

There are some drawbacks. Tool control is kind of important. Every tool (and key) is numbered, counted and inventoried. I can't use my own tools, and I have a budget to love with so I can't buy everything I want. I can't just set things down when I'm working. Use a tool, put it back in my tool bag before pulling out another one. It's a hassle to get through security. It's a hassle to keep my inventory off site (on the prison grounds, but outside the secure facility). There is the fun and excitement of working in a pod with 84 inmates, and only one other staff member (usually; sometimes it's just me).

Being a state job, it comes with a guaranteed paycheck (I don't have to worry about slow periods) and benefits. I make decent money, but I don't have good months and bad months. They are all the same. I've been a government employee for about 27 years of my working life, so I'm used to the hassle that it usually entails.

My day is probably a lot different than yours. I enjoyed "regular" locksmithing, but I enjoy my work now more than I did my previous "regular" locksmithing.

Now for a shameless plug (hope this doesn't violate the rules; if it does, of course, feel free to edit and remove). We only have one locksmith position, but we are in desperate need of other trades. Even general maintenance workers. I absolutely love Wyoming. Moving here from CA was the best decision I've made. If you're looking for a new and unique job in a beautiful state (did I mention no state income tax, open carry (even concealed), lots of outdoor activities like camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, NO TRAFFIC, NO LINES OF PEOPLE, etc) PM me and I'll give you more info. All we ask for is people who want to work hard, take pride in their work, work well with others, like working Mon to Fri with weekends and holidays off (except for when you're in call of course), like a steady paycheck, etc. http://corrections.wy.gov/institutions/wsp/index.html. End of shameless plug.

[bitbuster]

If I were single AND younger I would be there on the next mule train.

[GWiens2001]

I'd guess the applicant had better be able to pass a background check, too.

Gordon

[ltdbjd]

I guess I glossed over that. An interview (I did mine by phone from CA), background (but it's pretty quick and easy), a medical exam, and a drug screen. We have random testing too. And if you have an accident or get injured, you get tested. It's easy to beat though. Don't use illegal drugs and don't show up to work drunk, and you're guaranteed to pass!

[GWiens2001]

I guess I glossed over that. An interview (I did mine by phone from CA), background (but it's pretty quick and easy), a medical exam, and a drug screen. We have random testing too. And if you have an accident or get injured, you get tested. It's easy to beat though. Don't use illegal drugs and don't show up to work drunk, and you're guaranteed to pass!

Have to say that is the only sure-fire way to beat the drug tests. Have always used that method, and it has never failed me.

Gordon

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Well I got everything in it but my mini-bench press. That vise won't cut it for long either, going to have to find a spot for a bigger one.







Distributor also mixed up our van and shop parts hence why I'm so light on parts at the moment. Picking up a few more parts and tools tomorrow and then off to install a 2700 for my first job.

[dll932]

A day in my life ...

My days are pretty unique as far as locksmithing goes. I don't do "regular" locksmithing any longer (I used to work both in a shop and in the field). Due to circumstances detailed below, I tend to do more metal working than locksmithing.
Snip 8<------------------------------
Now for a shameless plug (hope this doesn't violate the rules; if it does, of course, feel free to edit and remove). We only have one locksmith position, but we are in desperate need of other trades. Even general maintenance workers. I absolutely love Wyoming. Moving here from CA was the best decision I've made. If you're looking for a new and unique job in a beautiful state (did I mention no state income tax, open carry (even concealed), lots of outdoor activities like camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, NO TRAFFIC, NO LINES OF PEOPLE, etc) PM me and I'll give you more info. All we ask for is people who want to work hard, take pride in their work, work well with others, like working Mon to Fri with weekends and holidays off (except for when you're in call of course), like a steady paycheck, etc. http://corrections.wy.gov/institutions/wsp/index.html. End of shameless plug.

I work as a locksmith in a racino. it sounds like OUR security is tighter than what you deal with for the most part. Not a real surprise I guess, given how much money is at stake. They pretty much leave me alone. In fact, I'm the boss of my own department...they just don't call me that. I punch a clock and was put in a union. Now, I'm not anti-union in principle, but mine does nothing for me other than take around $500/year from me and give me a free Thanksgiving turkey. I get a 2% COLA but that's it; Management won't give me raises because I'm in the union. After taxes, inflation and union dues the 2% is pretty much eaten up.

I've seen ads for locksmiths in prison systems (but they also want you to be the armorer). I just didn't like the idea of working in a prison, even though it would be a good deal more money.

[ltdbjd]

I had looked at a couple spam jobs before I took this one. The biggest issue for me was that all the ones I was looking at allow smoking. I didn't want to work in that environment all day. Of course, as you pointed out, working in a prison has is its own environmental issues too.

I understand the COLA thing. That's the way it goes in WY too. In fact, that's why I left the first time. I started at just about the bottom of the pay scale, though I asked for the midpoint. I figured I'd take it, prove my worth for a year, then get the appropriate raise. After a year, I asked and was turned down. The prison went to bat for me, but ultimately the state HR makes the decision. They said no raise, so I left. After I left, they started offering more money to come back. When I got furloughed from Union Pacific, I took them up on it. I ended up getting what I had asked for; mid-point. Which was almost $800 a month more than I had been making. Money was the only reason I left in the first place. Other than that, I loved the job.

I'm not the armorer at my prison, though I wouldn't really mind that job.

I think the most important thing anywhere you work is that you enjoy what you do, where you work, and who you work for (if you're not self-employed). I'm fortunate that I do.

[dll932]

I had looked at a couple spam jobs before I took this one. The biggest issue for me was that all the ones I was looking at allow smoking. I didn't want to work in that environment all day. Of course, as you pointed out, working in a prison has is its own environmental issues too.

I understand the COLA thing. That's the way it goes in WY too. In fact, that's why I left the first time. I started at just about the bottom of the pay scale, though I asked for the midpoint. I figured I'd take it, prove my worth for a year, then get the appropriate raise. After a year, I asked and was turned down. The prison went to bat for me, but ultimately the state HR makes the decision. They said no raise, so I left. After I left, they started offering more money to come back. When I got furloughed from Union Pacific, I took them up on it. I ended up getting what I had asked for; mid-point. Which was almost $800 a month more than I had been making. Money was the only reason I left in the first place. Other than that, I loved the job.

I'm not the armorer at my prison, though I wouldn't really mind that job.

I think the most important thing anywhere you work is that you enjoy what you do, where you work, and who you work for (if you're not self-employed). I'm fortunate that I do.

You are indeed fortunate. This job ain't bad...be nice if the money was better but I could be doing a lot worse.

[billdeserthills]

I just got back from an interesting job, Guest house door-- deadbolt refused to unlatch& the knob latch was really hard to turn more than halfway. Both locks were the older Kwikset Titan variety, so I made a rekeying tool and tried to pull the deadbolt cylinder out, unfortunately it refused to turn that far, so I popped the face off and driiled the deadbolt mounting screws, which refused to unscrew, because everything was rusted into position, because of a leaky toilet valve--When I opened the door the humidity & smell hit me like a wave & I saw the walls were covered in black mold. I wound up drilling the heads off the mounting screws and replacing his deadbolt with a new one, as well as a new latch in the knobset. When I got finished, the door wouldn't close, because it was so engorged with water& as I was leaving the wife asked "Could that be the reason I couldn't open that door two months ago?" Duh, OK

This was like the 5th time I had to open a door that had a big water leak behind it, and finding all that black mold on the walls--Really makes ya think to watch guys in chemical suits with respirators come and clean all that stuff up & know that I just went in there and breathed that air without any suit or respirator...

[mseifert]

I just got back from an interesting job, Guest house door-- deadbolt refused to unlatch& the knob latch was really hard to turn more than halfway. Both locks were the older Kwikset Titan variety, so I made a rekeying tool and tried to pull the deadbolt cylinder out, unfortunately it refused to turn that far, so I popped the face off and driiled the deadbolt mounting screws, which refused to unscrew, because everything was rusted into position, because of a leaky toilet valve--When I opened the door the humidity & smell hit me like a wave & I saw the walls were covered in black mold. I wound up drilling the heads off the mounting screws and replacing his deadbolt with a new one, as well as a new latch in the knobset. When I got finished, the door wouldn't close, because it was so engorged with water& as I was leaving the wife asked "Could that be the reason I couldn't open that door two months ago?" Duh, OK

This was like the 5th time I had to open a door that had a big water leak behind it, and finding all that black mold on the walls--Really makes ya think to watch guys in chemical suits with respirators come and clean all that stuff up & know that I just went in there and breathed that air without any suit or respirator...

I would definitely be concerned about the black mold issue ..

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Fixed some swiss cheese today.

[billdeserthills]

I just had one lock job today, but they had 33 locks to rekey, and needed 20 new keys!
I managed to get them all done in under 3 hours--Whew!

[Tyler J. Thomas]

I just had one lock job today, but they had 33 locks to rekey, and needed 20 new keys!
I managed to get them all done in under 3 hours--Whew!

Lucky you.

I've gotta reset a frame in a modular trailer tomorrow. I got the door to latch Monday but there's still a gap at the top. Another tech we work with says the frames screw apart and can be leveled that way. I've installed tons of frames in my life but nothing ever like this. I have no idea if it's going to work as smooth as he led me to believe.

Bringing all the tools tomorrow. Saw horses to measure the door, my 6 foot level, plenty of caulk, box of shims, the whole nine. This will either be a horrible morning or me overestimating the difficulty. So long as we're not slammed with "emergencies" and I get to use the entire morning (like we quoted), I might be able to pull this off.

I'll bring back some pictures tomorrow!

[Tyler J. Thomas]

So much for pictures. We use a dispatch software via our iPhone at work and I uploaded photos to the job ticket thinking I could simply pull them off later on that way. Turns out I was wrong.

Anyways, things weren't THAT bad I guess. If you've ever been inside a commercial trailer (like the ones they use for extra classrooms at schools), that's what I was dealing with. Very, very thin frame - maybe 1 1/2", all aluminum.

We expected 5 hours, I clocked out shortly after 4. Squared the frame up rather quickly but had to essentially twist it in, away from the latch. That involved removing molding (I really need a finish nailer). That ALMOST got the latch in the strike. Shimmed the door some and it was good to go. Reattaching the molding was super fun because I had a can of caulk explode from the back of the tube - apparently I didn't puncture it enough (I thought the usual 4-5 times would be plenty).

That got us closed and latched without twisting or pushing or pulling or slamming. Still left a gap at the top. Ran to Home Depot to get a threshold with a rubber seal. Literally installed it on the top of the door. Actually matched the color of the trailer perfectly so it looked like it had always been there.

Great, now we're sealed and latching and then I noticed the strike portion of the frame was cracked. I swear someone tried to break into this door at some point. That would explain the crack and the latch side of the frame literally facing out and the crease in the top of the door. Remembered I had some left over plate steel from the strike job a few days back (see above). Cut about a 4" x 1/2" strip and put to 1/8" rivets into it.

Alls well but I seriously hope I never have to touch one again. They are crappier than the pre-hung door frames sold at Home Depot. At least with those you don't have to cut through adhesive and remove dozens of nails just to shim one side.

Two jobs tomorrow - quasi-retrofit/fresh install of a push/pull latch and the other is cutting keys for about 4 hours. Personally I love overtime/afterhours work. Great money. Much more of a relaxed work day than if it were Monday - Friday. I'll take some pictures.