Every profession has a way they describe different situation and needs of customers; the locksmith’s trade is not an exception. There are times a customer would need the help of a local locksmith to fix their lock, but upon getting to the locksmith, you will be asked specific questions to identify the situation of your lock, but the inability to answer accurately will not help the locksmith to know what tool or solution to proffer.

As part of Winnipeg Pure Locksmith’s customer education plan, we feel it would be helpful to share commonly used locksmiths terms so you can build your glossary of basic terms used by locksmith in their trade. Learning these basic locksmith terms would help each customer interact intelligently with their tradesmen when they need to fix their locks.

Basic locksmith glossary of terms

If you need an automotive locksmith to fix your car lock, or you need a Mobile locksmith Winnipeg for any lock issue, here are likely terms your locksmith would use when discussing with you:

1. Active Leaf: It is referred to as an active door in which the latching device is installed.
2. All-section Key Blank: It refers to the key section that enters multiplex key system keyways.
3. Annunciator: It’s an apparatus producing an audible noise or indicating visible light, or a verbal message.
4. ANSI Cut-out: A standard cut-out for hardware furnished on rated and non-rated doors and frames.
5. Anti-friction Latch: A device built into a lock’s latch bolt for reducing friction between bolt and strike.
6. Associated Change Key: A change key that directly relates to particular master key(s) through the use of constant cuts.
7. Astragal (Overlapping & Interlocking): It is a set of vertical mouldings which extend the full height of a door and connected to a door and jamb or a pair of doors which interlock for enhanced security from a forceful entry.
8. Astragal (Split): A vertical moulding joined to the edges of each leaf of a pair of doors, to shield it against weather.
9. BackCheck: The stability provided by a door closer as the door is opened.
10. Backset: The distance between the vertical centreline of the leading edge of a door and the centerline of the lock cylinder measured horizontally.
11. Barrel Bolt: A surface-mounted slide bolt beside a cylindrical shape.
12. Barrier-free: This refers to providing accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities.
13. Bell Crank: It is a mechanical device using a pivoting action to change the direction of a mechanical force or motion.
14. Bevel (of a door): The pitch located on the leading edge of a door which provides clearance for closing.
15. Bevel (of a lock): The pitch, sometimes adjustable bevel, of the face designed to match the angle of a door.
16. Bezel: A collar that is threaded usually used to secure certain cylinder or lock assemblies.
17. Binary-type Cylinder or Lock: A cylinder/lock with a combination which only allows for two bitting possibilities in each position.
18. Bit: The key part which serves as the blade; used in a warded or lever tumbler lock.
19. Bitting Depth: The depth of a cut which is made into the blade of a key.
20. Bitting Increment: The specification of a lock manufacturer’s key cutting, is the consistent measurement of successive bitting depths, i.e. in a bitting increment of .018″; if a #0 cut measures .320″, a #1 cut will measure .302″, and a #2 .284″, etc.
21. Bitting List: It is all key combinations used in a system, orderly arranged in blind codes, direct codes and key symbol.
22. Blade: The part of the key that is inserted into the lock.
23. Blank: A key without any form before any cuts have been made, this can also be one that is only partially cut but not yet operational.
24. Blind Code: It a designation that is not related to the bitting, allocated to particular a key combination for later reference when extra keys or cylinders are needed.
25. Block Master Key: It is a level-one master key which works one block of changes in a key bitting array of a standardised progression format master system.
26. Bolt: Any moveable projection blocking the movement of one object with the other.
27. Boltworks: It’s a combination of rods, bars, plates and linkages in a safe door devised to hold the door in a locked or unlocked position according to the status of the lock itself OR other part of a lock than a cylinder, turn piece, or operating handle that changes the movement of, or the ability to, move the bolt.
28. Bond Box: It is a removable container in a safe deposit box compartment.
29. Bore: It is making a hole in or through an object using a drilling tool.
30. Bored Locks: The lock that requires a hole cross-bored into the door in which the lock is fitted.
31. Building Master Key: It’s a key which operates most master- keyed locks in a building.
32. Bump Key: A lock picking key with regular steeples within cuts forced further into the lock by the impact.
33. Case Ward: The protrusions that stick out the keyway sides to allow entry of only the right type of key blank.
34. Code: A series of numbers/digits on a lock or key use as a reference to the particular cuts of a key to operate a lock.
35. Cylinder: A whole operating unit consisting of the shell, plug, tumblers, plug retainer, springs, tailpiece and other operating parts.
36. Impressioning: This is a way to fit a key straight to a locked cylinder through shaping a blank in the keyway and cutting the blank at the tumbler marks locations.
37. Jamb: The vertical face of a doorway or window frame on the inside.
38. Lower pins: (also called bottom pins) the pins of a lock that contact the cuts on the key.
39. Master Key: Its key that usually operates all master keyed locks or cylinders in a given group, each lock or cylinder. Can also be a collection of locks/cylinders so that each is operated by its own change key and by a master key for the entire collection of locks.
40. Operating Key: A key that can operate a lock/cylinder; it locks or unlock the lock’s mechanism, but it is not a reset key or control key.
41. Plug: Part of a cylinder which contains the keyway with tumbler chambers corresponding to those in the cylinder shell.
42. Shell: The part of a cylinder that surrounds the plug.
43. Spacing: the dimensions of a cut from the stop to the centre measuring from the first cut or to the centers of the second cut.
44. Tumbler: A lock or cylinder’s moveable obstruction of different sizes and configurations which makes direct contact with the key or other tumblers to prevents incorrect keys or torquing devices from operating the lock.
45. Ward: Protrusions that stick to of the sides of the keyway to allow entry of only one type of correct blank key.

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Lock issues occur on a 24/7 hour basis; this is why you need to get ready for any lock emergency by aligning yourself with a reputable locksmith in Winnipeg; you can be confident the Winnipeg Pure Locksmith will always be there when you need them. Call today at (204)-800-5953!