Today, locksmiths use a variety of tools to get the job done. Below I will talk to you about the basic tools that a locksmith may use. Please note that there are others, but most locksmiths can get away with just using these four simple tools.

Tension wrench:

A Tension wrench is a small, thin piece of metal usually in the shape of an “L”. Its sole purpose is to provide tension on the plug of a lock. The plug is the center of the lock. The tension tool allows the pins in the lock to bind.

Picks:

A pick, is the second tool needed to open the lock. In conjunction with the tension wrench, one can open the lock. The pick is also a thin sheet of metal that is cut in the design at the end. This tool is used to raise the pins of a pin tumbler lock. Once the pins are raised to certain levels, the lock will open. The lock can now open from the tension from the tension tool.

Pick guns:

The guns are mechanical or electronic devices used to open a lock. These tools provide a snapping motion or vibration motion, depending on the designer. The snapping motion uses the same technique as Newton's cradle. The picked tip is inserted into the lock and pushes against all of the pins. The bottom pins push the top pins above the sheer line. In the electronic device, the pick vibrates and move pins above the shoe line.

Plug spinners:

Sometimes it is easier to pick a lock in the opposite direction. This is not necessarily inefficient, as a plug spinner can be used. If, for whatever the reason, a lot has been picked in the wrong direction he plugs there can be used to turn the plug to the opposite end, thus opening lock. A plug spinner rotates the pluggable lock so fast that the pins do not have time to set down below the sheer line.

These are the typical tools that a locksmith will use on a day-to-day basis. These tools allow him to do his job.