Essential Tools for Locksmiths – What’s in My Tool bag: Join me as I walk you through the essential tools in my locksmith tool bag that I use daily. From my Milwaukee hammer drill to my customized screwdrivers and various lock-picking kits, I’ll show you everything I carry for quick access when I’m on the job. I’ll also discuss my favorite brands and some tools that I have been using for years. Whether it’s for lockouts, installations, or re-keying, see what makes up my everyday carry for locksmithing. Stay tuned for more in-depth videos on tool organization and kit setups! (Source: Terry Whin-Yates)
Source: Mr. Locksmith Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/24hrMrLocksmith
Essential Tools for Locksmiths – What’s in My Tool bag
Mr. Locksmith Automotive (604) 259-7617
What’s in My Locksmith Tool Bag? Essential Tools I Use Every Day
When it comes to locksmithing, having the right tools at your fingertips makes all the difference. In this post, I’m breaking down my everyday locksmith tool kit—what I carry from job to job, whether it’s a quick lockout or a full rekey or installation.
My Go-To Locksmith Tool Bag
I primarily use a Veto Pro Pac for everyday door jobs. I also use the Milwaukee Packout System when I need to haul more specialized tools. But this bag is my EDC (Everyday Carry).
Top Locksmith Tools I Can’t Live Without
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Milwaukee M12 Hammer Drill: Great for small drilling jobs and quick fixes. Not for installing deadbolts, but perfect for light tasks.
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Milwaukee M12 Cordless Screwdriver: My workhorse. Years old and still running strong.
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Tri-Flow Lubricant & WD-40: Lubrication is key in our trade. Tri-Flow for everyday use, WD-40 for tough, rusted parts.
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Mini Hammer: Indispensable and well-worn.
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Knipex Pliers (Small & Large): I use them daily. Nothing grips like Knipex.
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Snap-On & MegaPro Screwdrivers: Great for everything from hex to security bits.
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Mini Bolt Cutters: Handy for cutting screws and tailpieces on the fly.
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Assorted Pry Bars & Awls: From plastic tips for finesse work to heavy-duty pry bars for tough doors.
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Automatic Punch: A must-have for precise drilling alignment.
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Vampire Tools (Japanese Grip Pliers): Awesome for stripped screws.
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Vice Grips, Adjustable Wrenches & Needle Nose Pliers: Everyday lockout essentials.
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Lock Slipping Tools: Loids, milk jug cutouts, and paint roller cleaners—yes, really!
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Castle Nut Removal Tool: You’re stuck without this if you’re working on commercial lock hardware.
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Fenix Rechargeable Flashlight: Never leave home without proper lighting.
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Metric & Imperial Allen Keys: Essential for commercial hardware and rekeying.
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Pick Sets: I use a mix of Peterson, Rytan, and MAPIC picks. Tension wrenches are just as critical—flexible and rigid, I carry both.
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Broken Key Extractors & Shims: You never know when you’ll need these.
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HPCA Followers & Lab Pin Kit (005): My go-to for rekeying. Organized and reliable.
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Tweezers & Dental Picks: Small tools that make a big difference. Shout out to my hygienist for the hook-up!
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AirTags: Yup—I track my gear with Apple AirTags. Just in case.
Comprehensive, organized list of all the locksmith tools mentioned in your blog/video script, categorized for clarity:
🔧 Power Tools
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Milwaukee M12 Hammer Drill
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Milwaukee Impact Driver
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Milwaukee Cordless Screwdriver
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Vessel USB Rechargeable Cordless Drill
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Automatic Center Punch
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Assorted Drill Bits (including 1″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″)
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Rasp Bit
🛠️ Hand Tools
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Snap-On Ratcheting Screwdriver
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MegaPro Screwdrivers (Security Bit Set + Hex Bit Set)
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Flathead Screwdrivers (multiple sizes)
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Phillips Screwdrivers
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Snap-On Awl
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Mac Tool Screwdrivers
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Small Hammer
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Mini Bolt Cutters
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Snap-On and Mac Tools
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Needle Nose Pliers
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Adjustable Wrench
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Small Vice Grips
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Large Vice Grips
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Knipex Pliers (Small & Large)
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Vampire Japanese Screw Grabbers
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Assorted Pry Bars (metal & plastic)
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Paint Roller Cleaner (used as a slipping tool)
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Castle Nut Removal Tool
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Circle Clip Remover
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Small Chisel / Snap-On Chisel
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Little Craftman Bent Pick Tool
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Allen Key Set (Metric and Imperial)
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Klein Screwdriver
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Pickle (plug follower tool)
🧰 Specialty Locksmith Tools
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Assorted Plug Followers (HPCA set, brass followers, etc.)
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Lock Picks (Peterson, Rytan, MAPIC Expedition set, custom diamond hook)
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Tension Wrenches (flexible and rigid)
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Broken Key Extractors (Peterson and others)
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Milk Jug Lock Slipping Tools
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Commercial Plastic Lock Slipping Tools
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Lipstick (used to mark latch position on strike)
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AirTags (for tracking tools)
🧪 Lubricants & Cleaners
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Tri-Flow Lubricant
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WD-40 (penetrating oil)
🔦 Lighting
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Fenix Rechargeable Flashlight
🧷 Rekeying Tools & Supplies
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LAB 005 Pin Kit
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Rekeying Packout Box
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Key Blanks
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Cylinder Removal Tool
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Dental Picks (for fine rekeying work)
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Shim Stock
🔑 Miscellaneous
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Safe Release Tool (bent Craftsman pick for emergency release)
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Spare Keys and Key Tags
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Magnetic Tray (implied use for small parts, optional addition)
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Organization Packouts (installation, rekey, lockout kits)

Mr_Locksmith_Tool_Kit_Checklist
Staying Organized
Each job dictates what I bring. For rekeys, I grab my Rekeying Packout. For installations, I grab the Installation Packout. I switch between a compact car for tight downtown jobs and a truck for residential or long-distance calls.
What’s in Your Bag? Let me know what essential locksmith tools you carry. What’s your go-to gear for lockouts, rekeys, or commercial hardware installs?
🔧 Stay tuned—I’ll be posting in-depth videos of my rekeying and installation setups soon! Source: Terry Whin-Yates Mr. Locksmith Linkedin
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Mr. Locksmith Automotive (604) 259-7617
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