Here are some of our most commonly asked questions.

Why is my key hard to turn in the lock?

There are several reasons for a hard to turn key. Here are some things you can try:

Check to see if another key works better. If it does then you might have a bad duplicate key and just need to get a copy made of the good working key.

Try to turn a deadbolt key WITH THE DOOR OPEN. If is still hard to turn then try spraying some lubricant like WD-40 on the bolt when it is extended and also into the key hole. Turn the key in the lock a few times to spread the lubricant and see if that helps.

If the key works smoothly with the door open it usually means that the bolt is rubbing on the strike. Sometimes it is simply a loose hinge that needs screws tightened to bring the door lock back to proper alignment with the strike.

Sometimes the misalignment is caused by settling and a strike adjustment is needed. The strike area that is causing the bind is ground with special grinding bits to accommodate for the settling.

Improper lock installation, Improper keying of the lock and perhaps a malfunction of the lock can also cause the key to be hard to turn.

If it turns easily with the door open then perhaps one of the hinge screws is loose and the door is sagging. Try tightening the hinge screws.

If that does not work, have you installed weather stripping that might have changed the position of the lock to the lock strike plate causing it to rub? This can be handled by a strike adjustment, sometimes we must grind the strike a bit to accommodate the new position.

Simplest solution is that the lock needs lubrication.

Do you work on automotive locks or open cars?

Tinder company no longer does automotive work or car openings. We would like to warn people about unscrupulous companies who advertise $15 to open cars but demand much more when they arrive! Please be sure to use a reputable locksmith. We still cut automotive keys but no longer work on automotive locks or open cars.

You can, however, call us and we can recommend a GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY automotive locksmith in your area.

How long does it take to re-key my locks if I bring them in?

We can usually re-key your locks in just a few minutes. Make sure to bring the existing, working key if you have it. Saves you money and us time.

Can I get all my locks keyed to one key?

To answer this question, take one of your keys and see if it FITS INTO each lock. It does not have to turn but if it fits in then we can usually key the locks alike to one key without the cost of new hardware. If the key won’t fit into the lock it will require some new hardware to get your locks all keyed alike to one key.

I must wiggle and jiggle to get my keys to work. Can you help?

Most often this is the result of a poorly cut key. If you bring in a poorly operating key for duplication, the copies will not be better than the key you brought in and most likely worse. When you get keys duplicated, make sure the one you are copying is a good working key. If you have no good working key we can try to decode the key and get you a key that is back to the original manufacturer’s requirements.

If my keys are lost or stolen do I have to buy new locks?

No, in most cases your existing lock can be re-keyed so the old key will no longer work.

I must wiggle and jiggle to get my keys to work. Can you help?

Most often this is the result of a poorly cut duplicate key. If you have a duplicate made from a wiggle-to-work key, it will not work better than the key you brought in, and most likely the problem will get worse.

When you get keys duplicated, make sure the one you are copying is a good working key. If you have no good working key we can often decode the key and get you a key that is back to the original manufacturer’s space and depth specifications.

Can I bring our locks in for repair or to get the key changed?

Many people find it satisfying to do some of the work themselves. You can save money by taking the locks off the door yourself and bring them in to our shop for service or re-keying. Remember to BRING THE CURRENT KEY WITH YOU for best service.

Do you open up cars?

No, Tinder Co no longer opens up automobiles or does automotive service. We encourage our customers to be very cautious when selecting a mobile automotive locksmith service. Unfortunately, many ads on the internet are scammers. We highly recommend American Lock 317 780-1907 for professional automotive lock services and openings. They do not have a web site currently.

How can I control unauthorized duplication of my keys?

Tinder Locksmith carries several types of “high security” key systems which restrict key duplication to those persons authorized by you. If you have a “high security” key system, keys cannot be copied without proper authorization. You can feel confident that no additional copies have been made by others who had access to your keys.