What Does a Locksmith Do?

A locksmith is someone who specializes in locks. Anyone who has been locked out of their car or home is probably familiar with one of the services a locksmith offers, but locksmiths do a lot more than helping people get back into their locked homes. This profession is quite ancient; as long as there have been locks and keys to fit them, there have been people to specialize in them. In addition to handling locks, some locksmiths also work in security consulting, since locks are one way to control access to something.
As with any profession with “smith” in the title, locksmiths originally fabricated locks and keys from metal, although modern locksmiths also work with electronic locks, ranging from key card entry systems to biometric locks. Locksmiths install, repair, and adjust locks in everything from cars to office buildings, and they also offer services to people who are locked out or individuals who want to consult with someone about their security systems.

Most locksmiths need a lot of equipment for the practice of their trade, and it is not uncommon for a locksmith to use a van to carry his or her tools around. Locksmiths typically carry tools which are designed for picking locks, so that they can get into locked structure and vehicles, and they also have equipment to fabricate keys, program electronic locks, and to perform other tasks related to the profession, such as diagnosing problems with electronic lock and security systems.

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com