North Carolina Locksmith Practice Exam

The plug holder is a specialized tool or fixture used in the locksmithing process to secure the cylinder plug while tumblers or pins are being loaded into it. This fixture allows the locksmith to comfortably and safely manipulate the plug, ensuring that the pins are inserted in the correct order and orientation without the risk of dropping or misaligning them.

Utilizing a plug holder enhances precision and efficiency when assembling locks. It stabilizes the component, minimizing errors that could occur if the plug were held manually or without proper support. The correct positioning and secure handling of the plug are crucial for smooth operation of the lock mechanism once it is fully assembled.

Other options serve different purposes in the locksmithing process. A retainer typically holds components in place within the lock but doesn't specifically aid in loading tumblers. A pin chamber is a part of the lock itself where the pins reside once they are inserted, and a mortise fixture is used to install mortise locks, not for the loading of tumblers. Each of these tools has its specific function, but the plug holder is uniquely designed for the task of loading tumblers into a cylinder plug.