Do You Understand What Makes A Safe ..... Safe?

In November 2008, we posted an article (below) about safes and why/how they are constructed and regulations as determined by the most populous state in the USA.

The details are still important knowledge for locksmiths, safe workers, even the general consumer....

Safes

Choosing a safe is often difficult. I have been asked many times over the years to make a recommendation to customers wishing to purchase a safe.

Before making a recommendation, I feel it necessary to ask some specific questions to a customer to help in determining a suitable product to recommend.

Many people do not understand the ratings systems for safes, probably because there is no written industry standard.

In the early 1990's, I worked for one of Australia's oldest manufacturers of quality safes, Kelly Safe Co PTY LTD. (they closed down in 1995, I believe). Kelly safes were considered a staple of the Australian landscape for about 100 years previously. They manufactured impressive quality safes for many of Australia's institutions, banks, high-society clubs, hotels etc.

The increasing competition from foreign products combined with the significant increase in raw materials cost, saw Kelly become less competitive in later years.

I learned much from my short time with them about how to grade safes.

There are many classifications of safes that are determined by each individual country/locallity as suitable for local conditions. The leading tester in the world (most respected) is known as the Underwriters Laboratory.

The questions I like to ask my clients are:

1. What approximate cash value of personal documents, jewellery, bank notes etc are you looking to secure?

This determines what grade of safe would be suitable for the contents.

2. Approximately how big (dimensions) would the individual pieces of content be for storage?

This determines the necessary internal dimensions of the recommended safe.

3. Are you looking for Burglary Protection, Fire Protection or both?

4. Would you prefer a bolt down facility, free-standing, on castors, wall-mount, floor mount, vault etc?

5. How much are you looking to spend?

The most important question is question #1, because this separates the designations of safes from each other and directly guides a professional to make the most suitable recommendation.
In California, the CDOJ (California Department Of Justice) uses the following terms:

California Department of Justice Burglary Rating (CDOJ)
Regulatory Gun Safe StandardsDOJ regulatory standards require a gun safe to meet either: 
All of the following requirements:

1. Shall be able to fully contain firearms and provide for their secure storage.
2. Shall have a locking system consisting of at minimum a mechanical or electronic combination lock. The mechanical or electronic combination lock utilized by the safe shall have at least 10,000 possible combinations consisting of a minimum three numbers, letters, or symbols. The lock shall be protected by a case-hardened (Rc 60+) drill-resistant steel plate, or drill-resistant material of equivalent strength.
3. Boltwork shall consist of a minimum of three steel locking bolts of at least ½ inch thickness that intrude from the door of the safe into the body of the safe or from the body of the safe into the door of the safe, which are operated by a separate handle and secured by the lock.
4. Shall be capable of repeated use. The exterior walls shall be constructed of a minimum 12-gauge thick steel for a single-walled safe, or the sum of the steel walls shall add up to at least .100 inches for safes with two walls. Doors shall be constructed of a minimum of two layers of 12-gauge steel, or one layer of 7-gauge steel compound construction.
5. Door hinges shall be protected to prevent the removal of the door. Protective features include, but are not limited to: hinges not exposed to the outside, interlocking door designs, dead bars, jeweler’s lugs and active or inactive locking bolts.

or All of the following requirements:

1. Is listed as an Underwriters Laboratories Residential Security Container;
2. Is able to fully contain firearms;
3. Provides for the secure storage of firearms.

BURGLAR SAFES:
Burglar safes are usually made of solid steel plate or a combination of solid steel and composite fill material such as concrete. These safes are divided into categories based on the level of protection delivered and the testing endured. Here we will discuss only seven classes: B-Rate, U.L. RSC Rating, B/C Rate, C-Rate, U.L. TL-15, U.L. TL-30 and TL-30 X6.

B-RATE SAFES (ALSO U.L. RSC, RESIDENTIAL SECURITY CONTAINERS):

B-Rate is a catchall rating for essentially any box with a lock on it. The safe industry had an unwritten standard of ¼ inch body, ½ inch door. As steel prices (and shipping costs) increased manufacturers tried many things to reduce their costs. No tests are given to provide this rating. When buying a B-rate safe, look at things such as lock work, hard plates, and relocks.

U.L. Residential Security Container rating (RSC) - This UL rating is based on testing conducted for a net working time of five minutes, on all sides, with a range of tools. See U.L. TL-15 and TL-30 descriptions below for "net working time" description.

B/C-Rate Safes

This is a catchall rating for safes with at least a 1/4" steel body, 1/2 inch door PLUS additional 10 or 12 guage metal layers where composite fire resistant material is also deployed. No tests are given to provide this rating. Look at the lock work, relocks and other features when making your decision.

C-Rate Safes

This is defined as a ½ inch thick steel box with a 1-inch thick door and a lock. As before, NO tests are given to provide this rating. Look at the lock work, relocks and other features when making your decision.


The Underwriters Laboratory information:

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) Ratings
http://www.ul.com

TL-15

Safes given a U.L. TL-15 rating have all passed standardized tests defined in UL Standard 687 using the same tools and usually the same group of testing engineers.Construction Requirements

• U.L. listed Group II, 1 or 1R combination lock.
• 750 lbs. minimum or comes with instructions for anchoring in a larger safe, concrete blocks or on the premises where used.
• Body walls of material equivalent to at least 1" open hearth steel with a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
• Walls fastened in a manner equivalent to continuous 1/4" penetration weld of open hearth steel with minimum tensile
  strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
• One hole 1/4" or less, to accommodate electrical conductors arranged to have no direct view of the door or locking mechanism.

The label means that the safe successfully resisted entry (i.e. opening the door or making a 6" square opening entirely through the door or front face) for a NET working time of 15 minutes using "…common hand tools, drills, punches hammers, and pressure applying devices." Net working time means simply "when the tool comes off the safe the clock stops". There are over fifty different types of attacks that can be used to gain entrance into the safe. Usually they will try only 2 or 3 based on what they know about the product, and they know a lot.

TL-30

Construction requirements are identical to the TL-15 above. Tests are essentially the same as the TL-15 tests except for the net working time. Testors are allowed 30 minutes and a few more tools (abrasive cutting wheels and power saws) to help them gain entrance. The label signifies the testors were unable to open the door or make a 6" square opening entirely through the door or front face within 30 minutes. Keep in mind these engineers have the manufacturing blue prints and can disassemble the safe being tested before the test begins to see how it works. They know their stuff. TL-30 x 6 - The TL-30 (30-minute) test is conducted on all six (6) sides of the safe.

Other Considerations

When you begin the search for a safe it is a good idea to speak to your insurance agent and see if a particular type of safe will reduce your insurance costs. Many times you can justify the additional expense of a higher security safe because of the premium reduction. Remember no safe is burglar proof, you are buying time. The longer it takes to break in the greater the chance to be caught, and thieves don’t like to get caught.

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10 Things You Didn't Know About UL's Safe Testing

1. The best safecrackers in the business never steal a penny. They work for UL.
   
2. UL has been testing and certifying safes for more than 80 years. The first safe tested for burglary resistance was in 1923 and the first bank vault in 1925.
   
3. Chisels, wenches, screwdrivers, power saws, cutting torches, crowbars, abrasive cutting wheels, jackhammers, even specified amounts of nitroglycerin are just a few of the "tools" UL technicians use during a safe attack. The idea is to test safes to worst-case scenarios. They use tools that could be found at any construction site or hardware store. They also analyze blueprints as if the burglar might have blueprints of the design and attack its weakest points to evaluate the safe for certification.
   
4. UL's safe attack tests are conducted by a two-person crew. The object is to create an opening large enough to withdraw "valuables" (anywhere from 2- to 6-square-inches on a safe and up to 96-square-inches on a vault), activate the locking mechanism so the door opens or to cut as many bolts from the door as necessary to pry it open before the time specified in the rating requirement expires.
   
5. Safes are rated for their resistance to attack against specific tools for a set period of time. There are a dozen different ratings, everything from ATM machines, to gun safes to bank vaults. For example, a safe that bears a Class TRTL-15X6 rating, which might be found in a jewelry store, should resist a hand tool and torch attack for a minimum of 15 minutes. A TRTL-30X6-rated safe, which would protect important documents or store money, should withstand an attack for 30 minutes. The ultimate safe rating-a TXTL60-should withstand an hour's worth of attack that includes the use of 8 ounces of nitroglycerin.
   
6. Because of the size and weight of certain safes and vault doors, it is not always practical to have the product shipped to UL's laboratory locations. UL's burglary protection staff has traveled to destinations such as Japan, France, Israel, England, Finland, Taiwan and India.
   
7. In addition to burglary protection ratings, UL also rates safes for their fire resistance protection. Class 350 safes protect paper documents, Class 150 safes protect magnetic tape and photographic film, while Class 125 safes protect floppy disks. In addition to the Class Rating, safes obtain an hourly rating for fire resistance-anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours.
   
8. Another cool test UL runs on safes is an impact test. This test simulates a safe falling though multiple stories of a building-resulting from a fire that has weakened the structure. After the safe is heated to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in a furnace, it's raised three stories and dropped onto a pile of bricks. In order to meet the requirement, the safe can't pop open. Temperatures inside can't rise to above 300 degrees Fahrenheit and sample papers left inside have to be readable.
   
9. The specialized suits you sometimes find technicians wearing are not just for show. Their entire ensemble, including protective coat, helmet and gloves, protects the crew against the adverse effects of sparking. After all, safety can't be taken for granted, even within the walls of UL.
   
10. Safes are just one of the 19,000 product categories that UL tests and certifies. While UL's burglary protection team cracks combinations, shatters glass and fires .44-caliber bullets at body armor, other UL engineers and technicians keep busy testing everything from TVs, coffee makers and holiday light strings to fire extinguishers, medical CAT scan equipment and building materials.

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Security On Sale....

A little over 10 years ago we posted an article (below) that included a video about quality versus garbage products, that has seen  a significant number of page views and continues to be on of our multitude of viral posts.

The post was titled "Big Box Store Or Product Specialist?"

In the last 10 years, Amazon has grown to become one of the most competitive marketplaces for goods available. they have almost taken over from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, Target, K-Mart, Sears etc, among other companies that have failed as a consequence.

Locksmiths and Safe Specialists across the planet have deliberately trained in their chosen vocations, to deliver quality services and products to the many discerning customers, demanding more from their security products







April 25, 2008

Many customers prefer to purchase their products today from the big box stores, primarily due to their more competitive prices.

The following video explains why you are better served by a professional security company with respect to your personal and business security requirements.

Whereas, the video is about safes specifically, the same applies to your doors, locks and keys.

The choice is yours. Big box or Security Specialist?

REMEMBER: You only get what you pay for! And "if you only want to pay peanuts, expect to get monkeys!"





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We Recently Acquired The Inventory Of A Closing Bilock Dealer - New Discounted Inventory Coming Up For Sale

 We just acquired the entire inventory of a closing Bilock dealer in USA.

We will be contacting their clients soon to maintain their security systems and continue to offer them parts and services.

Being the largest Bilock dealer in the Midwest, we continue to supply these sensational 100% bump proof and virtually pick proof, copy proof keys and locks to discerning buyers intent upon maximizing the security of their homes and offices.

We will soon be offering a steep discount on some of the acquired inventory.

 Bilock continues to provide up to 1.7 million key changes in a master keyed system. Color coding the keyheads enables simple and quick identification and separation between doors, locks, buildings etc.

Using the unique Quick Change Core technology, users will not require to disassemble and reassemble any cylinders or hardware, when the need arises to have your locks rekeyed.

 The 21 different colored keyheads allows us to design unique color coding for systems that allow users to quickly identify the correct color used for the correct door or for different levels of master keys to operate separate key cylinders.

The 21 colors and shades, comprise 3 separate parts allowing potentially over 9000 color combinations by mix and matching pieces. This can be of benefit to users significantly.

 The unique OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product pictured in the diagram here, displays the Slam Cam deadlatching cam lock. Perfect for steel cabinet doors or drawers, it allows for unparalleled cabinet and drawer locking strength. The added ability to include these locks in your Quick Change Core system, makes this product a sought after item. With the key only able to be withdrawn in the open position, losing your key or leaving it unattended is virtually avoided.

 The 4 main cylinder types include key-in-knob cylinders used in entrance sets and deadbolt locks, padlocks other OEM products.
The Rim cylinder is seen in surface mounted panic bars, surface mounted nightlatches, surface mounted deadlatches, jimmy-proof deadbolt locks, gates locks (see image below) among other uses.

 The Grade 2 Deadbolt offers high quality security in a competitively priced package. Typically the OEM Bilock Grade 2 deadbolts are available in Polished Brass, Satin Stainless Steel, but we also happily provide cylinders and cores that will suit other brands of harware including (but not limited to) LSDA - Antique Brass, Bronze, Chrome Plate, Yale, Schlage, Arrow and other leading brands.

 This is a closer image of the typical rim cylinder.

 Here is an image of a Bilock Rim Cylinder installed to a Hurricane Fence gate. Combined with a hardened steel blocker plate that doubles as a gate stop, this very strong gate lock is virtually indestructible,

The wide range of Key-in-knob cylinders allows use in deadbolts, entry knob sets, lever handle entrance sets, storeroom door lock sets, classroom door lock sets, sliding patio door lock sets among other uses.

 This image displays the common core that will fit into many different and separate cylinder housings. See the key inside the core? That core will fit into all the surrounding styles of cylinders, meaning you can have 1 single high-security bump proof and virtually pick proof key system that will operate across multiple brands and hardware needs. Padlocks, Oval Cylinders, cam locks, Entrance Sets and Deadbolts, Mortise Locks, Rim Locks, even electrical switches. The unique Bilock system is almost limitless in it's applications.


Knobs, levers, almost any application can be supported using Bilock

 The Bilock Range is quite vast and useful in display case security, Euro cylinders, cupboard deadlocks and latches, padlocks of differing sizes and materials, all conveniently controlled by one unique bump proof and virtually pick proof key.

 See the 3 sections of the key head? we can put together separate colors to help you identify your keys easily.

Even push projection locks can be used to secure hard to lock wooden drawers, Bilock products leave no options out.









We have been continually offering Bilock products throughout the world for almost 35 years now, having installed this fabulous system to casinos, hospitals, clinics, universities and colleges, private and public schools, bars and restaurants among many and varied applications.

Customer choose Bilock for it's unique looking key and the wide range of products that can be secured.

Many modern day electronic security providers also choose to include Bilock Extreme-Security key cylinders in their ranges of offerings. One such company is Salto. (click on the link to learn more about Salto)

As Winter Approaches - Now May Be The Time To Get Proactive To Protect Family, Customers, Friends and Strangers

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 Winter, 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 know who touched the item before you? Do you care?

A little over 7 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.

See our post from October 1, 2011.

Contagion

Just last week my wife and I went to see this movie. I found it to be one of the most entertaining suspense filled films I have seen in ages.

It stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne and a gaggle of other big name stars.

The storyline involves a woman who returns home to the USA from abroad who has been in contact with someone who passed on a virus to her. Anything or anyone she came into contact with seemed to also contract the contagious virus.

To make a long story short, many millions of people become infected and die before a cure is found.

The realism in this fictional movie was astounding. The film director makes the audience feel that the whole scenario is entirely plausible and probable.

The recent bird flu and H1N1 virus' that the world contracted in the last couple of years, makes this film even more realistic and topical.

Why do I post this review here?

I am the exclusive USA importer/distributor of the sensational Serrature Meroni brand of locks and door and cabinet hardware from Italy. Serrature Meroni, a few years ago introduced a unique line of inventory that includes especially designed anti-bacterial polymer door knobs. These handles minimize the potential impact of transferring diseasebetween people.

Virtually all people touch a door knob to operate a door at home or work or the doctors surgery or a hospital or any other public building, in order to enter or exit a room or the building. All people rarely consider the likelihood of catching and spreading germs from unknowingly touching a surface that a possible infected carrier has also touched.

Remember when those recent well known virus' (Bird Flu and H1N1) were breaking news all over the media? Pharmacists, grocery stores and merchants everywhere suddenly began selling notoriously huge amounts of hand sanitizers and similar products. Many institutions enacted strict policies forcing people to use hand sanitizers as often as possible and some even required employees to wear face masks to minimize the potential spread of airborne diseases.

The realism of the movie Contagion, made me think about how easy it would be to spread disease.

But thanks to forward thinking companies like Serrature Meroni, we can now rest easier with the assurance that forward thinking home owners, hospital management, doctors surgeries, chemical research laboratories and other concerned proactive people, are taking steps to protect their customers, staff, friends and families from the potential deadly side effects of unknown or even known virus'.

Antique Locks - A Collection Of Articles Written By Us That Are Proving Popular

We organize  categories or subject headings or labels on the right side of this website, where you can view all the articles we have submitted under that label.

One of our more popular labels/categories we find to be Antique Locks.

One article that we have seen a relatively large number of pageviews in our site analytics is...

History Of Locks - Sargent & Greenleaf

Sargent & Greenleaf are arguably the second most well known lock industry brand. Right behind Yale. Their history dates back to 1857, when young James Sargent, an engineer with Yale & Greenleaf, decided to branch out on his own with his invention, a magnetic dial combination lock.

Halbert Greenleaf was the partner and financier (known today as Venture Capitalist) of Linus Yale Jr. Yes, the same Linus Yale Jr credited with the invention of the modern day pin tumbler lock cylinder system, which was awarded it's patent in 1865. Their joint company was called originally Yale & Greenleaf. Halbert Greenleaf ended his partnership with Linus Yale Jr. at the outset of the American Civil War to become an officer in the Union army. After completing his service, Halbert sought out his former employee James Sargent and decided to finance his company, creating what we know today as Sargent & Greenleaf.

The above 7 minute video gives a brief history of the evolution of the company from it's roots.

It is interesting to see in the video, some of the products that Sargent & Greenleaf produced, many of which are still in operation today in the field. Products like the reversible panic exit device, door security bolts, entrance door hardware, push/pull plates among others.

Below find a 15 minute industrial video from the 1950's that shows the production of Sargent & Greenleaf products.

Read more »



There are about 13 separate articles appearing under the Antique Locks label, of which you might be interested in reading some of them in the list. Just click on Antique Locks here or on the link in the categories menu.


Feel free to comment below or on any individual page. We accept links to your sites in your comments, although please remember that comments are subject to moderation.

Facial Recognition Technology Has Really Come Of Age Thanks To Apple Iphone - Check Out This facial Recognition Security Device From About 10 Years Ago

Almost 10 years ago we wrote an article about some facial recognition technology and especially one particular product that we also sold a number of.

The post we wrote in December 2009 was one of the last posts that year, but proved to be wildly popular. I dont know why exactly.

I have sold about 4 of these units and I believe my customers are still using them today.

Face Recognition Security - For Doors

I have been touting the use of biometric access control systems, especially residential fingerprint controlled door locks, for quite some time.

Recent experience installing some of these products has lead me to understand some of the pitfalls of the technology, especially age related syndromes that affect interface operation by elder users.

Here is a new product, recently released that adopts a variation in biometric access technology.

Facial recognition technology is still in it's infancy compared to other existing biometric systems (like fingerprints etc). Embrace the world of advanced time attendance systems. Beautifully designed to compliment any imaginable décor, this facial identification time attendance system recognizes faces in 3D by utilizing the internal dual sensor and dual camera that allows it to establish an incredible facial recognition algorithm in a fraction of a second.

At a Glance...

• Lock and unlocks doors
• Face recognition technology
• Record employee attendance
• Time keeping and data logging
• Export and Import from a TXT file
• Download recorded data via USB or TCP/IP
• Included software for detailed record keeping and analysis

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Scammers Still Infuriating The Wider Market and Industry - Post Revisited

A little over 5 years ago we posted the article below and have seen significant numbers of pageviews therein.

The issue of scammer locksmiths continues to plague the wider consumer market, but it's not just locksmiths. It is also a number of other once highly respected industries too.

In the article below, there is a video by #ABCTHELOOKOUT which was a current affair series exposing nefarious alleged scammers in a host of differing services.

We still advise all our customers and all consumers to be cautious when choosing your desired professional.


From June 2013....


We have warned consumers many times over the past 5 years about the slew of scammer companies posing as locksmiths ripping off victims, all across the United States and Canada.

These perpetrators are now invading many other countries operating similar scam operations in Australia, New Zealand, Great Brittain and other European countries.

This news is not really news to the locksmith industry but thanks to the Network Television companies, like #ABC, prime time television now has provided a much wider net to expose the shenanigans.

My good friend and colleague, Mike Bronzell of All Hours Locksmiths in Chicago, has been one of the leading voices exposing these crooks for the last 10 years. I joined Mike about 5 years ago in Chicago to watch a case filed against Dependable Locksmiths by the Illinois Dept Of Professional Regulation. that prosecuted one David Peer for running a similar scam company. (the court found the company guilty of fraud and fined them and cancelled their business licenses, but they simply popped up again under a different name to continue their victimizations. Just this year, in February we discovered that all charges against this company had been dropped and the judgement overturned due to improper court procedures)

The leader of the company operating these scams has finally been exposed, thanks to the in depth investigation and reporting by the team at #ABC's The Lookout, a highly acclaimed television series developed to provide the marketplace with expose's on many ripoff artists scamming consumers across the USA.

Meni Agababayev is the name of the owner of this company. 




The video above is the whole episode from this weeks #ABC's The Lookout, but the actual story we are referring to runs for the first 20 minutes.

Door Frame Repair - After Break In, Using Strikemaster II

We just completed another repair project on behalf of a property management company, where the tenant had been the victim of a burglary attempt where the door was kicked in and the frame failed.

We are not painters and advise our clients of such during the estimate phase. We are happy to perform the required repairs quickly and at the residents convenience.

Below you can see the "before" images and understand what we were about to encounter.

 This view is from the Garage side of the door we were to repair.

We advised the property manager that future painters would also be required to repair the walls and gaps around the exterior side of the frame.

Whomever had rehabbed this place, obviously decided to cut corners to save money (a common action of house flippers)

 You can see the damage to the interior trim, the location where the strike for the entrance set and deadbolt has completely been broken out. Also the paint on the inside wall was torn away in the attack.

Here is a better angle of the damaged door frame.


This project type is one of our common project requests. Customers requiring to fix a broken door frame after suffering from door frame failure resulting from a kick-in attack.

When considering to repair or replace the entire door and frame, understanding that the average cost in the local market to supply and install a new door and frame can be ~$1100 - $1500 for a quality professional to install a standard door and frame, it becomes worthwhile to seek alternative solutions that reduce cost while upgrading the security of the location.

Enter the Strikemaster II. This phenomenal security and repair product is expertly designed and manufactured in the USA. A Safe Homes is a company based in the Carolinas that is on the forefront of product development, especially when it comes to safety, security and protection of the doors we all use daily.

This next image shows our completed repair using new trim and the Strikemaster II expertly installed,

Comparing this to the before pictures shows the entire gaping hole left by the door kick-in (where the entrance set latch and deadbolt go), is now completely hidden.

You can still see the area that requires painting, another project for another tradesperson for another time.

 This image shows a different angle of the new trim and the still damaged paintwork.

Professional painter and decorators will first use caulk to seal the gaps between connecting pieces, Some painters will also remove the trim and paint the wall, then re-install the trim, creating more professional looking lines, that can then be caulked after the paint dries

This final image of the completed project shows a better view of the Strikemaster II. the unique patented product uses a 2 part process to create a "laminating" effect. Also the outer steel uses a lip designed to hook around the edge of the door frame. This lip is an integral part of the product design, because it increases the strength of the product when being attacked.

Strikemaster II also uses stainless steel screws about 3" long, that tie the product, through the flimsy thin frame, to the stud behind, effectively anchoring the new product and providing almost impenetrable strength.

Being 5' long and using 8-10 stainless steel screws, combined with the lip and the laminating effect, the product is very strong because a new attempt to kick-in the door will spread the weight applied by the kicking action across a wider surface.


It is unfortunately, all too common that a great many homeowners, property managers, residents and tenants just are not proactive enough to anticipate future events like door frame failure, by installing products like this in advance of an event. Perhaps purchasing new designer shoes is of greater importance than providing security protection for your family and colleagues.

Speaking to your local locksmith can provide you with some great knowledge and experience to effectively mitigate issues and events down the road.

This entire repair project cost about $300.00 and they could maintain their existing door and frame. Compare that to the average door and frame replacement cost, that does not apply similar door frame strengthening to prevent another kick-in attempt and you effectively spent almost a thousand dollars more without increasing security and protecting your family and possessions satisfactorily.

Repairing Building Entry Door Using Plast-Aid

Often we find ourselves receiving calls from customers who request repairs to their entry doors on commercial premises.

There are many and varying types, styles and functions of entry doors, used across the world. In the United States, many commercial entrances use aluminum shopfront entrances, often installed by professional shopfitters.

Last week a client called us to repair a shopfront aluminum entrance door on their church entry.
This door was probably about 40 years old, judging from the style, the lock, the fading etc.

The initial repair was simply a readjustment of the door closer to enable correct closing distance.
We explained to the client that the use of double cylinder locks on primary entrances is a violation of building codes/life safety codes. We recommended they contact their local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) to get in writing, permission to use an inside cylinder on their entry door, while explaining that potentially, their insurance could be void if someone was locked inside and unable to easily escape. Life safety codes trump security, especially on commercial dwellings.

Here is an image of the outside of the front entry door. You can see where someone previous to me, decided to attempt to upgrade the security of the door, by installing a long metal plate along the door edge, to attempt to prevent a would be intruder from gaining access without damage.

While this is a great suggestion to increase the security of an entrance, in this particular case, the installer actually reduced the security of this entrance by removing the strike plate from the door jamb making the gap between the edge of the door and the door jamb too wide - preventing the deadlatching activator from operating correctly and making the latch mechanism easily able to be loided (latch pushed in using a screwdriver or plastic card)

This image shows the strike removed from the door jamb.

We thought of multiple ways to effect a simple repair to this issue, to reduce the gap between door and jamb, when closed.

We settled on a repair using the fabulous Plast-Aid moulding repair product.

We combined the Plast-Aid powder and ointment to a sufficient amount for the project, letting it cure to the point of a useable putty.

We applied the putty to the door jamb, where the strike plate would normally fit and let it harden sufficiently to recreate the function that the strike plate would provide.

The Plast-Aid product hardened in about 10 minutes and made the region of the door that the deadlatching pin was to hit, wider ensuring that the pin would then activate the security of the latch mechanism.

You can see in the next image, the door almost closed and the Plast-Aid repair product, jutting out sufficiently to encounter the deadlatching activator,

The local AHJ had already been and required them to change the double cylinder into an inside turnbutton, while allowing them to continue using the paddle on the inside and not having to replace the whole fitting with a panic exit device.

this image shows the latch mechanism fully seated in the strike hole (where the strike would normally have been fitted), contacting the deadlatching activator and securing the latch mechanism from loiding.

This whole project enabled us to maintain using the custom made blocker plate installed by the previous technician but repair the deadlatching feature and provide  stronger security, as intended by a dealatching lock system.

Pocket Door Repairs

Being a professional contractor who specializes in locksmith services and door repair services and products, allows me to offer unique and specialized products and services to a varied range of clients.

We have been continued members of the Home Advisor network, coming on 12 years, ever since it's early inception as Service Magic. The parent company of Home Advisor, ANGI Repair Services, recently completed their acquisition of Angie's List and have melded the Angie's List network into the Home Advisor network to create the largest lead generation service online.

We receive a great many leads from the network and over the years have been lucky to receive 370+ reviews from satisfied clients.   (View Our Home Advisor Page Here And Read Our Reviews)

One of the not so common requests we receive is "Repair Pocket Doors".

It has become an interesting and increasing number of inquiries from customers who suffer from pocket doors that drop wheels or tracks not holding sufficiently longer and doors not straight.

There are obviously far too few tradespeople in my region, capable enough to repair pocket doors.

Below, find some images we took on a recent pocket door repair. The customer could not find anyone to perform the repair (before me) with almost all contractors they contacted, refusing to repair stuff preferring to only tear out and replace. Doing such, would add significant cost to projects and take much longer than just a repair.

before image

 This shows the unbalanced door

before image - opposite side

preparing for removal

 Removing the trim means cutting along caulk and existing paint line, to minimize damage

Cutting away caulk and paint on edges

cutting caulk and paint on interior edges

Cutting caulk and paint from closed edge

carefully removing existing trim

trim almost removed

remove overhead trim and rail

dont forget to remove all the little nails

In the images above, we display the methods we use to create as little mess as possible and performing the dismantle without the need to cut into the wall, we always survey and estimate all repair jobs in advance and inform the customers that we are not painters and do not paint and caulk.
We always tell the customer that they may need to caulk and paint afterward.

Being careful to cut the edges of the trim and frame will allow you to pull the trim without affecting too much of the existing paintwork,

Remove the trim from top and sides of one side of the door only. Dont forget to remove all the little nails you find, to avoid having difficulty taking the door out and difficulty reattaching the trim after completing your repair.


We deliberately do not show the inside workings in this example repair because we dont want to give the whole farm away.

The next images are the after images with the repair completed and the trim reattached. You can see, that using this method can save you a lot of money and heartache. We reattached the trim using our nail-gun and the end result is a repaired and suitably operating pocket door.

 Here you can see the reattached trim and the slight damage to the paintwork, that the customer will fix themselves.

 This is the completed door from inside the bathroom

 Another look from inside, post repair

And this is the look after cleanup from the vanity side of the bathroom.


The entire project took about 3 hours to complete and did not involve any new parts, apart from some nail-gun nails.

Sliding Doors Are One Of the Weakest Links In Your Home - What Can You Do?

We originally posted the following article in June 2010. Consulting your local trained professional locksmith can help you to understand the many and varied products we can supply and services we can perform to improve the security of these sliding patio doors




The above video is actually an explanation of how to replace a sliding door installation with french style doors but it does highlight the ease in pulling the common sliding door from it's tracks.

I am called upon often to repair sliding doors, that have become increasingly harder to operate. There are multiple reasons that doors can become inoperative, but we will leave that for a later article.

The reason I decided to include the above video here is to highlight the extreme weakness that almost all sliding patio doors suffer from.

You can see how easy it is to lift the door from it's track. When the door is closed, it is usually held locked by just a metal hook. Often that hook is all that is preventing the door from being opened. I have seen many instances where the sliding door is the principle method of surreptitious entry. Often intruders simply use a large screwdriver or prybar/crowbar (found in most automobiles) and lever under the bottom of the door, raising the whole door frame enough to remove the door completely from the track. Even while still locked.

There is a very simple and cost effective measure that can be applied to prevent most sliding doors from being removed in this fashion.

Simply, install a self-tapping screw into the top track, so that the head is protruding enough to allow the door to still slide but reduce the lift, or amount the door can be raised.

Some lock manufacturers include anti-lift pins in their locks to help with this problem, but often the parts are made from die-cast aluminum, which is weak and brittle.

For about 50 cents you can prevent the door from being lifted off it's track.

Many people insert a piece of dowel or length of wood into the track behind the door. While this is probably one of the cheapest and best methods for preventing the door from sliding open, it does nothing to stop the door from lifting up.

Solar Powered Power Option For Controlling Electronic Security Products

In June 2010 we posted an article (below) about solar powered power options designed to be used to enable electronic security products.

We have seen a great number of pageviews for this particular post and thought we'd follow up that article with an opinion about the multitude of electronic wireless, battery powered products that continue to enter this (getting) crowded market segment.

In a number of other articles we have written here, we have continued to question the benefits and quality of many battery powered security products.

We believe that the battery powered security devices, specifically deadbolts, entrance sets and the like can offer only 2 primary benefits that can make them appealing.

These benefits are:
1. The ability to remotely lock or unlock the product and the ability to inquire as to the lock status (is the door locked or not)

2. The ability to set automatic locking on the product, to ensure your product locks independent of human involvement.




Understanding that many consumers today are increasingly interested in the many and varied battery powered options, aimed at simplifying their lives, unfortunately the convincing sales pitches will rarely tell you about the genre's shortcomings. Specifically, the need to be constantly replacing batteries to maintain continued operations and the other primary issue, being that as all doors and frames move with weathering, settling, ground movements etc. your beaut $200+ deadbolt or entrance set WILL become useless before long and suffer electronic operability issues.

We believe that the best security offered by deadbolts and entrance sets, is still the mechanical options that can be physically operated by hand. When a condition occurs that inhibits your ease of use, mechanically you can still play with it to get it to operate. Electronically, this is not possible.

Master Pro Series Padlocks - Post Revisited

Way back in 2007, we posted article here about the Master Pro Series Padlock.
The post has generated a great many page views over the years. We still believe this product to be one of the best in it's class.



June 29, 2007



The Master Pro Series 6621 padlock is one of the finest and most versatile padlocks available for todays market. It is an all-weather resistant padlock.

Locks210.com is pleased to present this product keyed to Bilock with your choice of key head colors and 3 keys. (price on application)


The Master Pro Series Padlocks are among the finest padlock products in their genre.

You can choose from key retaining (meaning you can only withdraw the key when locked) or standard (key withdrawal either locked or unlocked)

The source below display the many and varied options of this widely respected padlock range.

(source...)

Daring Indiana Burglar Uses Bird Scooter To Make Getaway

A daring burglar in Indiana entered a homeowners residence though an unlocked door, ransacked the place and made his daring getaway on a for-hire scooter, according to an article appearing on ABC News.

According to the article the resident was at home during the raid and even heard some noises downstairs but when he went to investigate, he saw his wallet, laptop and car keys were missing.

According to police, there was no sign of forced entry indicating that the back door was left unlocked.

The Bird Scooter rental company has distanced themselves from the incident.

The article (in the source below) is yet another instance where crimes of opportunity appear to be on the rise. Leaving your doors unlocked used to be okay, in previous years but today, you're just asking for trouble.

Locksmiths across the country and around the world can provide quality locking products that will automatically lock the door when closed, but even the ages old nighlatch is designed to lock every time (unless you snib it open).

There is an apt saying, "Keep It Yours - Lock Your Doors"!

(source...)



In another article appearing on 10TV News in Hamilton Ohio, an elderly resident has been robbed by a man, whom she knew and even hired.

Apparently she paid him $150 to cut down a tree (which he never completed) and then this man entered her unlocked home and stole a further $250+.

This is yet another reason to "Keep It Yours - Lock Your Doors"!

(source...)