Specialty Door, Lock And Repair Services In St Louis Missouri. (314)266-1533
Unique Security Products and Specialty Locksmith Services
March 22, 2022
February 17, 2022
How To Re-key Old Yale Mortise Deadbolt Locks
Just about any locksmith with some experience will know the method and skill required to easily disassemble any lock that uses these type of blind screws or bolts, without destruction and enabling the ability to reuse the same screws or bolts when putting the locks back together.
Pictured next is the image of the cylinder on my bench, already removed from the door. You can clearly see the connecting screw hole.
- Almost 40 years local, national and international experience
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- Quantity discounts
- High-quality product options
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- Family owned and operated local business
August 30, 2021
Federal Eviction Moratorium Overruled By United States Supreme Court - Landlords Rejoice?
(Image of United States Supreme Court)
Last week, The Supreme Court Of The United States (SCOTUS), in it's infinite wisdom decided to overturn the current administrations Eviction Moratorium on constitutional grounds.
This decision is considered favorable to the legions of landlords and property owners, who have suffered economic uncertainty since the federal government (previous administration) first administered the eviction ban, as encouraged by the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) in February 2020, to protect renters who suffered major employment losses as a consequence of the economic upheaval caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.
This decision to overturn the executive order to extend the already in place moratorium, is no small matter.
For many locksmiths in this country, the imposition of the federal eviction moratorium was/is a double edged sword. Evictions (rekeys) are an integral part of every locksmith's acumen. Many locksmith companies, including ours enjoyed continuing business from landlords and property management companies who require to change locks when a former tenant leaves their property. All this business completely halted when the eviction moratorium came to be.
In our case, we suffered a monumental reduction in our business revenue as a direct consequence of the moratorium.
We understand and sympathize with the many millions of renters, who face life-changing circumstances as a result of the end of the moratorium, but also are somewhat heartened by this change in events. We anticipate a significant increase in requests to rekey houses, condominiums, apartments, flats, commercial dwellings etc and maybe, we too can change some of our economic circumstances too.
Evictions are not a simple matter for landlords, property managers to arrange. In most jurisdictions, to evict a tenant requires sometimes 30 days written notice and a legal court order, enforced by the local Sheriff. An officer must be in attendance to execute such an order.
The costs and time delays involved in executing a legal eviction can add up. Given the courtroom backlog, an unfortunate side-effect of the pandemic, the likelihood of timely execution of eviction notices is/will be delayed - further complicating things for property owners, landlords and property managers.
In Missouri there was no statewide eviction moratorium but the federal moratorium was sufficient to protect the thousands of renters who were facing potential evictions, as a consequence of the pandemic related shutdowns.
Also, some property owners of multi-apartment complexes, found loopholes in eviction laws (prior to the pandemic) that would allow them to evict any tenant using a rehab-clause that effectively allows for evictions of tenants irrespective of their abilities to pay rent or not, while reconstructing a tenancy to improve the site. A federal judge sided with the tenant, using the Federal Eviction Moratorium in his ruling.
Moratorium’s end may mean thousands of Missouri evictions
March 9, 2021
Gear-R. High Security Hidden Access Control For Just About Any Application
July 1, 2020
PullBolt - By D&D Technologies
You may be familiar with D&D Technologies, a rather well known Australian manufacturer of the worlds most sought after gate hinge and superior locking technology specified widely, the world over for securing swimming pool gates, commonly known as the Magnalatch.
Another product that has been a central tenet of the shopfront security market for many years is the PullBolt, expertly produced by D&D and has been available in some countries for many years.
As seen in the video above, the product is very straightforward to install and very strong.
Featuring:
- 316 Grade Stainless Steel Quality
- Wont Rust, Corrode or Stain
- Resistant to Hacksawing or Tampering
- Fits Left and Right Handed Doors and Gates
- Face Mount or Side Mount Models available
Key operated and lockable open or shut, this small yet incredibly strong security product offers fabulous security for it's competitive cost.
It can be supplied keyed alike, keyed to differ, master keyed and with the key cylinder removeable, you can replace it with a high security key cylinder from a range of different manufacturers.
I have personally installed a number of these during my 35+ years in the locksmith industry and can attest to their strength and usability, first hand.
Available primarily in Australia, we are trying to become a distributor for this enticing product in North America.
Stay Tuned.
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May 5, 2020
Contact-Less User Interfaces Are Becoming A Part Of Our New Future - Part 2
The impact that voice-recognition technology is having on our daily lives, is becoming more prevalent, given the current pandemic and quantity of smart-speakers currently available.
The above video we shared in a post we wrote almost a year ago and while it is somewhat comical in it's presentation, it does perhaps highlight a potential future that awaits us.
The article we wrote last year, portends that perhaps there are issues with smart-speaker technology today that we are yet to perfect. Given the current times, I suggest that the uptake of more voice recognition technologies may become an even greater part of our lives, that our article did not recognize at the time.
In March 2018, we also wrote about the integration of Amazon Alexa into new housing constructions in Sydney Australia. Perhaps this kind of technology is not too distant from us any longer?
I'm curious to know other people opinions about this subject.
May 3, 2020
Verroo - Unique Security Products For The Worlds New Normal Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
At this lecture he gave a rather interesting expose into the security and perception of security of Knox Boxes, which are used and required predominantly by fire departments across the USA to allow authorized first responders to gain access to private and public dwellings without the need to employ destructive entry methods.
The video is about 20 minutes long and may be of interest to locksmiths. security industry technicians, sales people, maintenance technicians, first responders, home owners, apartment complex managers, basically anyone who might see or have these type of key boxes on or near their properties.
It is especially interesting when you consider the security offerings by various vendors concerned more with selling you their products as opposed to offering you a system that actually offers to protect and secure your property for real. (For some unscrupulous vendors, it's not about your security protection - it's only about profits)
We have written about some of the subjects he talks about in the video....
Credit Cards Used to Duplicate Keys
Medeco - Hmmmmm...
3D Printers Used To Defeat High Security Key Systems
3D Printed Bump Keys
Further to this conversation is my recently acquired knowledge about an Australian company that is the merge between KJ Ross Security Locks, Marget Engineering and Direct Connections in 2015. That new company is called RMD Innovations (you can see their site in the source below).
KJ Ross, I have personally known for about 35 years now, having worked with their safe lock products, their Rosslinear Battery Operated Electric Strike and other lines in their specialty ranges.
RMD have now created significantly improved products for the high security market that update the older Rosslinear Strike (as seen above) and also have begun offering some additional products including a battery-operated strike for rim locks, panic exit devices. standard mortise and cylindrical entry lock-sets. among other products
I am especially interested in these updated product offerings, given the current predicament the world is experiencing with the Coronavirus Pandemic, that has dramatically altered our states of life.
March 11, 2020
Coronavirus - What Do You Do?
The current seasonal shift is well underway, no matter what part of the planet you live on.
Of course with the northern hemisphere changing over to Spring/Summer, so come the inevitable virus', colds, flu, pneumonia and other potentially life threatening illnesses.
An often over looked issue, that faces all of us regularly is the transference of potentially harmful pathogens that can occur when differing users might touch or operate a door handle, safety bar, handrail etc. Do you REALLY know who touched the item before you? Do you care?
A little over 8 years ago we wrote an article about the recently released (at the time) blockbuster movie, starring Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow. We included the preview in our article too. (See the article we wrote in October 2011, below).
When you go to a hospital or medical clinic, you hope that the managers of such public places care enough about the health and welfare of their consumers to have policies and rules in place to mitigate any harm potentially caused therein, right?
I'm sure you have seen and continue to see many private and public places include a pump bottle of hand sanitizer near a restroom and often signs posted inside a restroom requiring employees to wash hands prior to handling food or after using the facilities. This modern day policy stemmed from the outbreak of the highly contagious H1N1 virus that threatened many thousands of people all across the planet. Luckily the quick action of governments worldwide and especially the CDC in America, stemmed the threat, but not before thousands of people, animals, birds etc, were slaughtered or died.
While the COVID-19 Virus is well hyped in the media right now, it is vital and imperative that everyone be diligent to protect everyone.
It is your responsiblity and mine. My life and your life is at stake.
Here is the article and preview of Contagion....
Contagion
December 14, 2019
ADI Block Lock - Total Security Bolt Protection Unrivaled The World Over
December 12, 2019
Triteq Lock And Security - Leading American Vending Security Manufacturer
In the informational video here, you can see a well produced explanation of the benefits that Triteq products provide.
Incorporating modern technology, including keyless remote access, cellphone access, audit trail and simple to operate access control management, this local American company are producing the most innovative products and services that are protecting their clients vending machines, secure cabinets, refrigeration equipment and related products.
Selecting American made security products, interests many/most local customers and users who understand the continuing benefits that buying local, stimulates and protects American jobs and their own security requirements while enjoying timely, paramount local American backup and support.
We in the locksmith trade, as harbingers of security protection for well over 4000 years, continue to source the latest and greatest security advancements on offer, to protect the interests of our customers.
Triteq Lock and Security Inc products, are providing the types of security products demanded by commercial and industrial customers, who desire to protect their investments while providing the services to their users.
Look no further for a great American Security product manufacturer, who has only your individual interests in mind.
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November 25, 2019
Master Key Systems Explained - How To Design Your Master Key System
We wrote (November 25, 2009):
August 20, 2019
Gate - All-In-One Wifi Deadbolt
The world of Smart Locks, sees a new entrant to the market with an all-in-one product that allows for WiFi control, smart phone control, temporary user codes, video door bell and intercom, mechanical key operable all in one small and unique footprint that looks classy while maintaining a high level of security.
Gate is available from a range of suppliers, the product is priced at the upper end of the range of similar offerings.
The product is available in 3 distinct service plan options.
2-Year Premium Plus Service plan sells for $349. It includes 1 lock and 2 years unlimited Premium Plus Service which includes:
- Receipt Of All Notifications
- Real Time Video Streaming
- Real Time 2-Way Audio
- Remote Lock And Unlock
- Unlimited Admin/Permanent Access Control
- Unlimited Scheduled Access
- 30 Day Video History
- 30 Day Video Sharing
July 25, 2019
Tascent - New Distributor For Leading Iris Scan Technology Provider
Access Control Moves Into The 21st Century And Beyond - Post Revisited
Form and Function
- Immigration control programs, especially sleek installations at immigration counters
- eGates or expedited, automated immigration programs
- Checkpoint booths
- Government and corporate access control including turnstile, revolving door and standard door installations
June 27, 2019
Smart Speakers Are All The Rage Today Except....
We have written numerous articles over the last 12 years about locks, lock systems, safes, master key systems, doors, repair techniques etc.
Curiously, smart speakers like those offered by Amazon, Google and others have certainly made many of our lives significantly easier but they are found wanting too, as the above video, comediclee shows,
We posted the above video to our social networking pages and are seeing increasing views and likes from our viewers.
It does bring up a topical discussion though and one we feel is important to our readers here too.
Some of the articles we have written about new age smart locks can be seen here
In the above video, the man returns home only being unable to gain entry. Smart locks, for all their good intentions, suffer from many issues that should be considered prior to purchase.
Issues that can include:
- Poor Battery Life
- Weathering
- Low Security
- Hardware Failure
- Increasing Insurance Premiums
April 10, 2019
Keyless Security Has Turned The Corner - No External Interface Means Nothing To Attack
VL464 Versatile Deadlock |
There are a number of products made that we can show you after the break.
All operate with the use of the unique fob.
The product is in use in many Asian countries and is finding traction in North America too.
Tellcard Systems EGT - Awesome Standalone Commercial Digital Access Control Product
I found these products on recommendation through The Society Of Professional Locksmiths, an organization of like minded professional locksmiths, where I am a founding member.
Tellcard offered a promotion a while back to get their products further into the market. Initially I was shy, but thought "why not".
And I'm very pleased with the end results. But more importantly, so are my customers.
Inside view is as important as outside view, in my opinion because this is the point of view everyday users will see all the time. The Tellcard EGT houses a battery pack that is easily accessible meaning replacing batteries is a simple task.
Life expectancy of the battery pack with typical use (20,000 operations) in a year is about 12 months.
The extra nice feature of this product is that it is not only operable by battery. It also includes connections within for hard wiring, which means you can also hook it up to your internal alarm system and enjoy mains power without requiring to replace batteries. If power fails, the batteries will be your back up power to maintain access control.
The particular fitting of this unit was to an existing door where someone had previously installed a handle and separate deadbolt. (You can see where the lazy installer used a knock in bolt instead of a correct wooden door installation bolt) This is the outside view of the application.
We were required to drill 2 additional holes, 1 just below the crossbore hole (deadbolt) and one a little farther below where the original commercial lever or knob would have been.
The inside view shows a clearer image of the original holes where the commercial lock once sat.
The end product and fitting, in the first image above displays a beautiful product that fits with the buildings decor and maintains a uniformity with other products in the building.
We also master keyed the mechanical key cylinder in the lever to allow for the building manager to enjoy unfettered access without having to have multiple differing keys for all doors in the building.
Learn more about Tellcard Systems by clicking on the link the source below.
The Society Of Professional Locksmiths continues to grow in stature and offers unique training and fraternity for aspiring locksmiths, click the link above to learn more.
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March 26, 2019
Continuous Hinges _ Not Just For Aluminum Shopfront Doors
the second image shows the external side of the same door.
You can see that the old door is in a state of disrepair and the hinge at the bottom has nothing to screw to.
We could have simply moved the hinge higher to a new location, but we couldn't be sure that the wood was not also rotten there too.
Our solution is a long term fix because the continuous hinge we installed (which is more often used to repair shopfront aluminum doors) comes with a 50 year warranty.
The completed installation of the continuous hinge, required us to cut about 4" from the top of the hinge.
The continuous hinge is screwed on like a typical piano hinge, in that it applies completely along the edge of the door and frame.
The correct installation of a continuous hinge ensures long term use. they are held to both door and frame using about 10 screws on each leaf. We installed it to the surface of the door and frame, which allowed us to screw into fresh (not rotten) wood.
The finished result looks great and the door works easily like it should.
Total time for repair ~2 hours.
Continuous hinges are not cheap. But quality products are often pricey and come with sometimes lifetime guarantees.
We continue to install increased quantities of continuous hinges to shopfront aluminum doors, where the top and/or bottom pivots wear quite quickly. A continuous hinge is the most cost-effective and simple repair method for many single door applications and the products are not limited to just shopfront aluminum applications.
Contacting your local locksmith would be your first stop in getting quality professional door repair services, with technicians that can advise the different options.
March 5, 2019
Battery Operated Lock Products Found Wanting - Are You Aware Of The Pitfalls?
I think it is somewhat interesting, having traveled abroad recently, that not as many European countries appear to share the fascination for wireless battery powered locks, quite like the USA.
I remember traveling to Canada a few years ago and noticed very few instances of wireless digital locks installed on residences and buildings there too.
So, this begs the question as to why there appears to be a consumer fascination for these electronic gadgets, especially in the largest market in the world, the USA.
Having recently returned from abroad, I noticed that hardwired digital lock systems and access control products appear to be more favored there. Hardwired products offer significant longevity and advantages to wireless battery operation, but essentially there is never, ever a need to have to replace batteries. Replacing batteries, while an inconvenience, is a hidden ongoing cost, rarely considered by consumers.
There are also a great many and varied commercial products in the wireless genre that continue to come to market, offering increased access control and some also include audit trails, among other desired traits. These products too require constant and never ending battery replacement to ensure correct and continuing operations. Often there will be a maintenance manager or janitor employed in a building responsible for replacing batteries and keeping every thing working normally. And when a product fails, it is often because lax maintenance is responsible. Batteries are not replaced timely enough and staff find themselves locked out, through no fault of their own.
Some upmarket commercial access control products of the wireless variety are very good quality and offer some advantages to mechanical keyed systems, but they too require constant battery replacements to ensure continued operations.
There are some very interesting and quite good looking products that are quite functional on offer across the world. many also use remote fobs to lock or unlock and, of course, these remote fobs require batteries replaced too. The hidden costs are not discussed by manufacturers or retailers and many consumers are in the dark about the longterm disadvantages of having to constantly replace batteries.
We have been selling the wireless battery operated electric strike, here for a few years now, but this product is not immune either to the continuing need to replace batteries.
We are also the North American distributor for the fabulous Meroni line of lock products and even their digital battery operated product requires continual battery replacement for continued operation,
The issues listed above about battery life are not the only problems plaguing the wireless lock industry. Many brands also use motor driven deadbolts that require the door and frame to be in perfect alignment so the bolt can enter the strike and frame. If there is door movement or weathering, frames can move and impede the natural locking/unlocking of your product. Other use issues occur due to poorly installed doors. Most doors found in America today, on residential homes and even some commercial dwellings are built from wooden doors and frames, often installed using short screws in the hinges to attach to the frame.
The IBC (International Building Code) accepted and gazetted by many American localities, demand that the height of the operating door handle be 36" from the floor. When the original building code was written by the Army Corp Of Engineers in 1949, the average height of an American Adult was 5'6" tall, while today the average height (male/female) is 5'10" tall.
Understanding a persons height is important because the average door is about 6'8" tall in North America. In many other countries, people install their locks significantly higher. The reason is simple. The lower the handle, the likelihood of you pushing down on the handle is higher and that continued downward pressure contributes to door sagging. The half inch screws in your hinges cannot take the weight of the door combined with constant pushing down on the handle, so the door drops. You often see this by the rubbing of the upper portion of your door on the frame and a wider gap at the top on the lock side than the gap on the hinge side. Also, sometimes your door will drag on the floor.
I do a fair amount of commercial locksmith and door repair work and often see these electronic battery operated locks in the field. I often ask my customers as to their happiness with the products. Many, who have been using them for quite some time, have realized that the chore of constantly replacing batteries is becoming far too common and often and they make the choice to remove batteries altogether, preferring to go back to the mechanical, maintenance free key lock system.
So what do i recommend?
I'm glad you asked.
I always ask the customer why they want a digital door lock in the first place.
Most simply desire the convenience of not having to carry a key and that they cannot be locked out if they have a combination.
I then ask how often they have had to replace batteries.
The most common answer I get is, "once every 2-3 months, sometimes more".
When I press a little bit further, the clients who might have had them for longer, often indicate that after the fourth time replacing the batteries, they simply go back to using the mechanical key.
This indicates to me that many customers are now using their you beaut $250+ wireless battery operated door lock identically to when they simply had a mechanical key. Many keyed door locks cost significantly less than $250+, so that is a clear indication (to me) that they are not receiving the value for their money.
With WiFi and Bluetooth and NFC components being included in many later models of battery operated door locks, there is more requirement for power to be able to use the products. Why would you rely on batteries constantly to power these power hungry products? Batteries can only last so long, no? And often they will fail when you least expect them or require them.
As to my recommendations on products that can offer the best of both worlds, you might consider the Kaba Powerplex digital door lock that uses an electro-mechanical power module embedded within, that when the handle is turned, the unit powers up enough juice to enter your combination. No need to ever replace batteries yet still the convenience of electronic combination entry.
Certainly not cheap. Quality products cost more of course, but the Kaba Powerplex delivers where other products fail.
In the next week I will be repairing a customers back door mechanical door lock. They initially requested another electronic deadbolt for the convenience of not having to carry a key. (my service call that day to them was to unlock another digital door lock that wasnt operating. It was of course a flat battery) I recommended that they install a mechanical key box like the Supra brand wall mounted heavy duty mechanical digital key box to the cement wall outside their home and place their operating key inside. That way they can maintain the original lock on the door and still enjoy the convenience of not having to carry their key, for the paltry cost of about $35 plus installation.
The choice is yours. I'd be interested to hear your comments in the box below. Comments are subject to moderation.
Home Advisor (formerly Service Magic) Testimonials And Sites That Recommend Us
Testimonials
Patrick Carr (Canberra, Australia)
Who Are We?
Welcome to Locks210.com.
This site is to inform about historical and modern approaches to Keys and Physical Security products and services.
Locks210.com, established in 2006, offers residents and businesses of St Louis Locksmith premium quality products and services. As the Premier Bilock Extreme Security Dealer in The Mid-West,
Our conveniently located workshop and service vehicles are uniquely designed to offer trade qualified, bonded, insured tradespeople with knowledge and experience spanning multiple countries and product lines.