Locksmith - Career Advice - Retail and Hospitality

Precision Instrument Maker & Repairer
Saw Maker and Repairer
Gunsmith

Practical

Locksmiths assess the security needs of their clients, install appropriate alarms and locking systems, and access/maintain control systems and security systems. They may also need to repair or maintain locking or security systems. This may involve working with traditional mechanical locks or highly Future Growth Decline technical electronic security systems in homes or commercial properties. Besides residential security systems, locksmiths may also be employed to work on security systems for government organisations or for the automotive industry. Many locksmiths are self-employed.

Locksmiths install, sell, test and maintain locks and related security devices and systems.

OSCA Codes

ANZSCO Codes

OSCA ID & Description: Technician Trade Worker x60 332334 Installs and maintains locks and related security devices and systems. Registration or licensing is required.

Alternative names: Metal Trade Worker

Specialisations: Access control systems specialist, Automotive locking systems, Door and window architectural hardware specialist, Safe specialist, Safemaker

Keysmith, Key Cutter: Specializes in making and repairing keys and locks. As a key cutter, you’ll use specialized equipment to cut and duplicate keys for locks, cars, and other devices. You’ll work with a variety of different types of keys, from basic house keys to more complex car keys and even high-security keys. You’ll need to have a keen eye for detail and a steady hand to accurately cut keys. You’ll also need to be able to work with a variety of different materials, such as metal, plastic, and even transponder keys.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is helping people regain access to their homes, cars, and other possessions. Whether someone has lost their key or simply needs a duplicate, you’ll be there to help them out.
Safe and Vault Technician: A safe and vault technician opens, rebuilds, moves and installs safes.

Safe

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A locksmith needs:

to be responsible and honest
enjoy technical work
good customer service skills - patient and tactful when dealing with customers
to enjoy problem solving
to enjoy manual work and have good hand-eye coordination
to be willing to work on weekends or be called out at irregular hours
to be fit to climb ladders and to lift heavy objects
attention to detail
to be willing to keep up to date with new developments in security
good verbal and written communication skills

Duties and Tasks

Locksmiths may perform the following tasks:

sell and install high-security lock systems, key control systems, all types of mechanical locks and keyless-entry locks
repair, replace or adjust damaged or defective components of doors, including door closers, hinges and electronic release mechanisms
change mechanical and electronic key codes
design, manufacture, install and manage restricted master key systems
determine customer security requirements and assess risks through discussion and on-site inspection
assist clients to gain entry to premises, automotive vehicles, safes or high-security storage containers such as filing cabinets
recommend appropriate security and locking systems such as safes, strong rooms, alarms, closed-circuit television (CCTV), and door and window locks
install, replace and maintain locking systems, alarms and access control systems
test the performance of locks and security systems
repair jammed, worn or damaged locks by manipulating, dismantling, repairing or replacing defective parts
sell locks, safes and associated hardware
cut new or duplicate keys for locks and other security systems and devices
keep records of specifications of installed locking systems.

Parts of a lock

Working conditions

A locksmith would normally work 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However they need to be prepared to work weekends installing systems, and to be called out at any hour to 'rescue' people who have locked themselves out. This is especially true if they are self-employed.

Locksmiths may be required to work weekends, on call and after hours. Some locksmiths work in mobile units, travelling between jobs. They may also be required to work in confined spaces and outdoors.

Locksmiths may work in a shop or out, on-the-road. They will often have to work on a client's premises. They may be required to work in awkward or confined spaces.

Locksmith at work

Tools and technologies

Depending on the area they work in, locksmiths my need to be adept in using specialised tools, such as welding equipment and those used in precision handy work. They may also be involved in security systems utilised in the information technology industry.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a locksmith, you usually have to complete an apprenticeship in locksmithing. The apprenticeship usually takes 48 months to complete.

Did You Know?

History of locksmithing started in Ancient Egypt and Babylon, approximately 4000 years ago. During that time, locksmith created wooden devices that used tin tumbler principle to prevent free movement of the door bar. The pins could be moved only with the use of large and cumbersome wooden key (created in the shape of modern toothbrush) that was inserted into lock and pushed upwards, which moved internal pins and unlocked doors.

The oldest of those simple locks currently known was discovered in the ruins of the Assyrian Empire, in the city of Khorsabad near Nineveh. Scientists and historians agree that this wooden lock was created around 704 BC.

After the adoption of advanced metallurgy in 18th century Europe, locksmiths were finally able to create much more durable locks and keys. During that century, many famous locksmiths managed to improve upon designs that remained largely unchanged ever since the fall of Roman Empire. With the arrival of more and more successful designs and industrial mass production, locksmithing went through drastic change.

Old keys

Cheap industrial locks took the lucrative market of locksmiths away, and they were forced to become specialized in two fields –work as repairmen of industrial locks (fine tuning of damaged gear or replacing broken parts with those created in factories), replicate keys for people who wanted more of them available for personal use, or work for large security companies who design and build safes for banks and governments.

Today, locksmiths work from their shops (often working with all door-related hardware, such as closers, frame repairs, hinges, electric strikes and more), security institutions (designing and creating several layers of locks that protect against theft or intrusion), investigational institutions (forensic locksmiths), security consultants or are focuses on one aspect of a skill (locksmith working in a car company, designing only car locks).
(Source: History of Keys)

Practical

Precision Instrument Makers and Repairers assemble, calibrate, install and overhaul mechanical precision instruments and equipment. Repairing and maintaining watches, cameras, musical instruments, medical equipment, and other precision instruments requires a high level of skill and attention to detail. Some devices contain tiny gears that must be manufactured to within one one-hundredth of a millimetre of design specifications, and other devices contain sophisticated electronic controls.

OSCA ID & Description: Technician Trade Worker x60 332335: Assembles, calibrates, installs and overhauls mechanical precision instruments and equipment.

Specialisations: Camera Repairer, Piano Tuner and Repairer, Scalemaker, Scientific Instrument Maker and Repairer, Watch and Clock Maker Repairer [on another page]

Knowledge, skills and attributes

An Instrument Maker Repairer needs:

To enjoy practical and manual work

Have good eyesight (may be corrected) and normal colour vision essential

Be able to do precise and detailed work

Possess technical skills and be able to continually undertake work of a highly
technical nature

To be able to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to identify and repair faults

Learn from experience and take in new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making Algebra, geometry, applied technology, computer science, and metal work are relevant school based studies

Piano Tuner
(Source: Wikimedia)

Duties and Tasks

assembles parts and sub-assemblies of precision instruments and locks, timepieces and firearms
dismantles precision instruments, locks, timepieces and firearms, repairs and replaces defective parts, and reassembles articles using hand and power tools and specially designed machines
calibrates precision instruments using standard weights and measures, jigs and fixtures, and hand tools to adjust and align parts and small balancing weights
may estimate costs and prepare quotes for repairs.

Working conditions

Precision instrument repairers work under a wide array of conditions, from hot, dirty, noisy factories to well lit air-conditioned workshops, to the outdoors on fieldwork. Attention to safety is essential as the work sometimes involves dangerous machinery, toxic chemicals, or radiation. Due to the individualised nature of the work, supervision is fairly minimal. Medical equipment repairers must work in a patient environment, which has the potential to expose them to diseases and other health risks, but occupational injuries are relatively uncommon.

Piano and organ tuners must travel to the instruments being repaired. Often, these workers can adjust their schedules, allowing for second jobs as needed.

Tools and technologies

When machining new parts, workers often use a small lathe, a grinding wheel, and other metalworking tools. Additional tools may include:
• Polishers and buffers
• Gas torches
• Lathes
• Shears
• Mallets
• Precision screw drivers
• Soldering irons;
• Multimeters; specialised software and computers designed to communicate with specific pieces of hardware
• Electronic tools to repair and adjust equipment
• Pneumatic, electrical and electronic test equipment and calibrating precision instruments
• Jigs and fixtures, and hand tools to adjust and align parts and small balancing weights and tools

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a precision instrument maker and repairer, you may consider completing an apprenticeship. The electronics and communications tradesperson; fitter and machinist; metal machinist (first class); mechanical fitter; lectrical instrumentation tradesperson; or watch and clock repairing apprenticeships usually take 42 to 48 months to complete.

Practical

Saw Makers and Repairers make, repair, maintain and sharpen a wide range of saw blades and cutting tools. Saw blades will include both circular saws and band saws, and cutting tools may be from planers, lathes, routers or drills. They also maintain mechanical parts of a range of production Future Growth Decline machines.

Saw Makers and Repairers operate hand and power tools, machines and
mechanical equipment as they mill, grind, press or sharpen cutting tools, weld tools, saws and cutting edges, manufacture and/or maintain the straightness and balance in all cutting tools and saw blades.

OSCA ID & Description: Technician Trade Worker x60 332336 Makes, repairs, sets and sharpens blades for circular, band and other saws.

Alternative names: Saw Doctor

Specialisations: Saw Sharpener

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A Saw Maker and Repairer needs:

to enjoy practical and manual work and have good hand-eye coordination
to be safety conscious
to be physically fit and have normal vision and hearing

Saw Makers and Repairers must perform their tasks with good knowledge, excellent skills and high precision. Some will manufacture saw blades from blank sheets or strips of steel. All will need to straighten and stretch steel in circular and band saws so the blades run true.

Sawmaker
(Source: was at Popular Woodworking)

Duties and Tasks

dismantles precision instruments, repairs and replaces defective parts, and reassembles articles
using hand and power tools and specially designed machines
makes blades for circular, band and other power saws and repairs, sets and sharpens blades for hand and power saws
may estimate costs and prepare quotes for repairs.

Working conditions

Saw Makers and Repairers work for saw manufacturers, saw service shops, machining shops, woodworking factories, large timber mills and other industries which use sawing equipment.

Tools and technologies

Tools include: Semi automatic and automatic grinding machines for filing teeth; stretch roller machines and flat anvils for levelling and taking the deformities out of the saw; stretcher roll for tensioning the saw; hammers; bench vices; files; teeth alignment jigs; etc.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a saw maker and repairer you need to complete an apprenticeship. The sawdoctoring apprenticeship usually takes 36 months to complete and is available as a school-based apprenticeship.

Practical

Gunsmiths modify, service and restore rifles, revolvers and other firearms. In their work, gunsmiths use hand tools and machines such as grinders, planers and millers. They may restore antique guns, convert old rifles to up-to-date firearms, or adapt factory-made rifles to the special needs of customers. Future Growth Decline A gunsmith's work calls for many different skills. Gunsmiths must know how to handle and operate a gun. They must also understand the various assembly requirements, such as fitting the action (moving parts) and barrel into the stock (handle or butt end). They must be able to attach optical sights, pistol grips and recoil pads, and they may be asked to install new choking devices. Carrying out these adjustments calls for skill in stripping the old finish from the barrel and action. Knowledge of woodwork and different types of steel is useful for producing, fitting and polishing various parts.

Licensing and registration is required in some states and territories.

OSCA ID & Description: Technician Trade Worker x60 332333: Modifies, services and repairs rifles, revolvers and other firearms. Registration or licensing is required.

Alternative names: Armourer

Specialisations: Forensic Trace Evidence Specialist

Knowledge, skills and attributes

If you are considering a career as a gunsmith you should:

enjoy technical work
have good hand-eye coordination
be able to work independently or as part of a team
demonstrate attention to detail and be good at practical tasks
have normal hearing and no skin allergies

Gunsmith
(Source: was at LearnU)

Duties and Tasks

assembles parts and subassemblies of firearms
dismantling firearms, repairing and replacing defective parts, and reassembling articles using hand and power tools and specially designed machines
calibrating precision instruments
may estimate costs and prepare quotes for repairs.

Working conditions

Gunsmiths work indoors in workshops equipped with grinders, drill presses, lathes, saws, drills and various metalworking tools. Test firing is noisy, but routine safety procedures have removed most of the risks. Retail gun stores employ gunsmiths who spend time talking to customers and repairing guns. Hazards include fumes, heat and powder smoke. To deal in or repair firearms, you need to hold a firearm and dealer's firearm licence.

Many gunsmiths work for gun manufacturers or sporting goods stores. Some are self-employed.

Tools and technologies

Tools include: Lathes; milling machines; polishing spindles; grinders; oxy-acetylene welders; gun clamps; punches; taps; dies reamers; odd size drills; saws; various metals, such as steel and brass.
Blue blacking 'hot bluing' involves immersing the steel parts of the gun to be blued in a solution of potassium nitrate, sodium hydroxide, and water heated to boiling point. Similarly, the stainless steel parts of the gun to be blued are immersed in a mixture of nitrates and chromates, and similarly heated. 'Rust bluing' involves coating the gun parts in an acid solution, letting the parts rust uniformly and then immersing the parts in boiling water to stabilize the rusting process. Then the rust is scrubbed off (karded), leaving a deep blue finish. Large scale industrial hot bluing is often performed using a bluing furnace.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a gunsmith you usually need to complete an apprenticeship. The fitting and turning, metal machinist (first class), or mechanical fitter apprenticeships usually take 42 months to complete and are available as school-based apprenticeships.

In Australia, gunsmiths who repair firearms must undergo a National Police Check before obtaining a Firearms Licence for Repairers.