Metalworking and Locksmithing Course

Lesson 1 • Workholding and Bench Setup

Covers vise selection, clamping strategies, and bench organisation for efficient workflow. Proper workholding prevents injury and ensures dimensional accuracy during operations.

Lesson 2 • Measurement and Layout Techniques

Introduces calipers, micrometers, squares, and scribers for accurate layout. Precision measurement underpins every fitting, cutting, and assembly operation in the course.

Lesson 3 • Shop Safety and PPE Standards

Establishes mandatory PPE use, hazard recognition, and emergency procedures. Directly supports safe execution of all hands-on metalworking tasks throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Metal Types and Properties

Covers ferrous, non-ferrous, and alloy metals with hardness, tensile strength, and conductivity. Connects material selection to downstream cutting and forming decisions.

Lesson 1 • Hacksaw and Band Saw Techniques

Teaches blade selection, feed pressure, and cutting angles for straight and curved cuts. Accurate sawing reduces finishing time and material waste in subsequent operations.

Lesson 2 • Drilling and Reaming Operations

Covers drill bit geometry, speeds, feeds, and reaming for precise hole sizing. Accurate holes are critical for lock cylinder fitting and fastener alignment.

Lesson 3 • Filing for Precision Fit

Develops draw-filing, cross-filing, and checking techniques for flat and curved surfaces. Filing is the primary material-removal method in lock fitting and key cutting.

Lesson 4 • Grinding and Abrasive Finishing

Instructs bench grinder use, wheel dressing, and abrasive progression for surface prep. Grinding shapes hardened steel components that cannot be machined conventionally.

Lesson 1 • Wafer and Disc Detainer Locks

Examines wafer spring action and disc rotation mechanics distinct from pin systems. Expands diagnostic capability to filing cabinets, automotive, and padlock applications.

Lesson 2 • Lever Tumbler Lock Systems

Covers lever lift height, gating, and bolt interaction in mortice and safe locks. Lever locks dominate commercial door hardware and safe deposit applications.

Lesson 3 • Deadbolts and Mortise Locks

Analyses deadbolt throw, mortice case internals, and trim hardware integration. These are the most common residential and commercial security installations.

Lesson 4 • Pin Tumbler Lock Anatomy

Details driver pins, key pins, springs, plug, and shell interaction during operation. Understanding pin stacking is prerequisite to picking, rekeying, and key cutting.

Lesson 1 • Code Cutting and Decoding

Applies bitting codes from manufacturer databases to cut keys without an original. Code cutting serves customers with lost keys and supports master key projects.

Lesson 2 • Manual Key Cutting Techniques

Covers hand-filing keys to code and by impression using depth and spacing gauges. Manual cutting is essential when machines are unavailable or for specialty keys.

Lesson 3 • Key Cutting Machine Operation

Instructs clamp setup, tracer alignment, and cutter calibration on duplicating machines. Machine cutting produces consistent results for high-volume residential and commercial work.

Lesson 4 • Automotive Key Cutting Basics

Introduces high-security automotive key profiles, laser-cut keys, and transponder blanks. Automotive keys require specialised equipment and blank sourcing knowledge.

Lesson 1 • Cylindrical Lock Installation

Teaches latch assembly insertion, cylinder mounting, and rose plate alignment. Cylindrical locks are the most frequently installed type in residential settings.

Lesson 2 • Door Preparation and Boring

Covers backset measurement, hole saw use, and edge boring for cylindrical lock prep. Accurate boring prevents misalignment and ensures smooth bolt operation.

Lesson 3 • Strike Plate and Keeper Fitting

Covers strike mortising, lip length selection, and reinforcement for security. Properly fitted strikes are the most critical element of forced-entry resistance.

Lesson 4 • Mortise Lock Installation

Details mortice pocket routing, case insertion, and cylinder collar fitting in metal doors. Mortice locks require precise pocket dimensions for correct bolt throw.

Lesson 1 • Rekeying Pin Tumbler Cylinders

Covers follower use, pin kit selection, and spring replacement for standard cylinders. Rekeying is the highest-volume service task in residential and commercial locksmithing.

Lesson 2 • Key Control and Record Keeping

Establishes key issuance logs, bitting record security, and audit trail procedures. Accurate records protect the locksmith and client from liability and key loss.

Lesson 3 • Master Key System Design

Teaches change key, master key, and grand master relationships using bitting matrices. Systematic design prevents cross-keying errors and maintains security integrity.

Lesson 4 • Restricted and Patented Keyways

Examines restricted keyway licensing, key control agreements, and duplication prevention. Restricted systems protect clients from unauthorised key copying.

Lesson 1 • Raking and Rapid Entry Methods

Covers city rake, snake rake, and Bogota techniques for fast low-security entry. Raking reduces service time on standard residential locks during lockouts.

Lesson 2 • Single-Pin Picking Technique

Develops tactile feedback, binding order identification, and set detection skills. SPP is the most controlled method for opening quality locks without damage.

Lesson 3 • Picking Tool Types and Selection

Identifies hooks, rakes, diamonds, and tension wrenches matched to lock types. Tool selection directly determines speed and success rate of non-destructive entry.

Lesson 4 • Bypass and Shimming Techniques

Teaches loiding, shim attacks on padlocks, and under-door tool use for bypass. Bypass methods resolve lockouts when picking is impractical or time-critical.

Lesson 1 • Safe Types and Construction

Compares fire-rated, burglary-rated, and composite safe construction and bolt work. Construction knowledge guides drilling location and service approach selection.

Lesson 2 • Combination Lock Service and Change

Teaches dial removal, wheel pack inspection, and combination change procedures. Regular service maintains reliability and allows clients to update combinations.

Lesson 3 • Combination Lock Manipulation

Develops graph-based manipulation of three-wheel combination locks to find the combination. Manipulation avoids drilling and preserves the safe and lock for reuse.

Lesson 4 • Electronic Safe Lock Service

Addresses keypad replacement, battery issues, and motor-driven bolt work diagnostics. Electronic locks are increasingly common in residential and hospitality safes.