Practical Locksmithing Workbook: Key Cutting, Rekeying, and Lock Installation

Knowing how a lock works is only half the job. The other half is executing the work cleanly, efficiently, and safely under real-world conditions. Many trainees struggle because they have fragmented knowledge — they can identify a lock but cannot walk a customer through a rekey job without hesitation, or they cut a key by code but make a bitting error that prevents smooth operation. By the end of this course you will be able to follow a systematic procedure for rekeying a pin tumbler cylinder from start to finish, cut a key by code and by duplication using the correct blank selection process, install and align a residential and commercial deadbolt to manufacturer tolerances, and complete a basic job ticket with accurate part numbers and labor notes. What you will learn: - Step-by-step cylinder disassembly and rekeying procedures with pinning trays and follower tools - Key blank identification: cross-referencing bitting lists and blank compatibility charts - Code cutting: reading a bitting code and setting depths on a code-cutting machine - Key duplication: tracing technique, common errors, and how to verify a cut copy before delivery - Deadbolt installation: door prep, strike plate alignment, and backset adjustment - Knob and lever hardware installation and latch adjustment for smooth operation - Job documentation: writing clear work orders, part descriptions, and service notes - Common callback causes and how systematic procedure prevents them Each module of this course presents a task as a written procedure, followed by a detailed worked example showing how each step plays out in a specific scenario (e.g., rekeying a six-pin Kwikset cylinder to match an existing master key). Checklists are provided for each major task so you can track your own progress during supervised practice. Troubleshooting tables cover the most frequent problems — sticking cylinders, misaligned strikes, keys that bind — with root-cause guidance and corrective steps. This course is designed for trade students, apprentices, and career-changers who are already engaged in or preparing for supervised hands-on locksmith training. Suitable for anyone who wants a structured reference to complement bench work. This course is educational; actual locksmith service work requires supervised hands-on training and, in most jurisdictions, licensure or registration. Always verify your local regulatory requirements before performing work for clients.