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 With the key only able to be withdrawn in the open position, losing your key or leaving it unattended is virtually avoided.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

(source...)

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...)

Tesla Model 3 Key Fob - New Accessory Introduced Because Of Sufficient Demand

Tesla - the modern day electric car manufacturer, have been producing some exciting new vehicles in recent years and the release of their newest model - The Tesla Model 3 - the engineers have capitulated to customers demands for using a key fob rather than just your cell phone with Bluetooth or the included proximity card. (see video below)




The new accessory images were recently leaked and we show them below...

According to Electrek, users of the new model complained about the lack of a key fob option to which Tesla decided to produce a fob similar to the types used in the Model S and Model X.

Tesla, reknowned for pushing the envelope in modern engineering, decided early to adapt their offerings to eventually remove the mechanical keyswitch from their vehicles, saving costs and manufacturing conveniences.

The source below offers some additional images of the fob. Note: Thos fob is only for the Tesla Model S.

(source...)

Burglaries At Gun Stores Increasing In Missouri And USA - But Locksmiths And Safe Specialists Have The Answers

Pictured above is a Google Maps embed of the location of the Denny Dennis Sporting Goods Store in Fenton, Missouri where thieves rammed the garage door to gain destructive entry and steal a number of firearms that are said to already have made their way to the streets of Missouri.

An article distributed widely has informed us about the daring burglary of the gun store and the theft of a number of firearms.

Another article in The St Louis Post Dispatch, dated September 6, 2018 also discusses this troubling trend of increasing burglaries of gun stores across America (see source below).

The article goes on to quote the store owner and his company's attempts to better secure his establishment. He explains that their use of gun safes actually mitigated further troubling loss.

Using security cameras, alarm systems, bollards at the front etc, they show that the store owners and management are pro-active in their security concerns, but it is still disappointing and troubling that there are still so many nefarious attempts to burglarize gun shops.

Making Car Keys - Post Revisited (November 2008)

A number of locksmiths across the world choose to offer automobile key manufacturing services.

WE DO NOT!

Not because we dont know how. We choose to offer our expertise in other ways.

For many of our first 20  years in the locksmith profession, we offered automobile locksmith services too, But in the last 13 years, here in our geographic region we found that too many local operators are simply not charging enough for expert automobile locksmithing services.

Lucky for us, we enjoy professional relationships with a number of colleagues whom we believe to experts in the field and have no hesitation in recommending their automobile locksmith offerings.

Following is an article from November 1, 2008 that explains a little about making car keys...

November 1, 2008

Making Car Keys

Many locksmiths across the world are often called upon by customers to duplicate or re-create original keys for cars, trucks, buses, motor homes, prime movers, motorcycles and other motor driven equipment.

Since 1995, many automobile manufacturers have included advanced security features to their products, in an attempt to provide their customers with state of the art protection, reduce incidence of theft and also to provide advanced diagnostics information for mechanics and repairers.

When the auto industry started evolving, many customers found themselves only able to duplicate modern auto keys at their respective dealerships. Not Anymore!

Thanks to the excellent research and development of companies like Advanced Diagnostics, locksmiths across the world have been able to purchase suitable equipment to enable the duplication and origination of automobile keys.

There have also been many advances in the locksmith industry in relation to the ability to make keys for cars without the need to remove lock cylinders. Tools like EEZ Readers, Determinators etc, reduce the need to dismantle doors or ignitions, significantly speeding up the time required to perform key origination requests.

Many locksmiths posess the ability to code cut keys to customers providing the original keycode for their vehicles. But, the greater majority of customers never recorded the original keycode information after initial purchase, causing increased expense when the need arose to make new keys. In recent times, many automobile manufacturers have started to produce their vehicles without keycodes embossed on the lock cylinders and dealers usually only maintained records for up to 5 years.

A new law is about to come into effect in California next year thanks to the efforts of the National Automotive Services Task Force (NASTF), that will require all dealer representatives to provide  24 hour keycode assistance to customers. The sticking point in this new legislation is that only approved locksmiths (ALOA members) and other specific trades, will be allowed to access this information. No doubt, the ability to access vehicle codes will impact the industry with likely increased prices for the purchase of code information, there are a few locksmiths who will never require the codes because, the level of training they have completed will enable them to provide services to customers in spite of the attempted industry regulating efforts of NASTF.

When customers seek new keys for their vehicles, I recommend they seek out a qualified locksmith professional with the appropriate transponder programming equipment, who can offer services only a properly trained technician can perform.

At Locks210.com, we consider ourselves reasonably proficient in many locksmith duties and tasks, however we are not currently suitably qualified or equipped to provide the expert assistance necessary to perform automotive key manufacturing requests.

We strongly recommend the services of our colleague Patrick Chapman of St Louis Lock And Key (314)494-2510.

Also Jack Shinstock of Lock Express (314)307-2239

If you are located in Vancouver, British Columbia or the surrounding area, we have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Mike Behr of Behr Lock Inc (604)880-9891.

If you are located in the Winnipeg, Manitoba region, we strongly recommend Darren Ingleson of Wildwood Lock & Security (204)791-7911.

Strikemaster II Pro - Still The Best offering To Repair And Prevent Door Frame Failure (Post Revisited - December 2009)

Back in 2008, we first posted about the fabulous Strikemaster II product. A product designed, manufactured and marketed by a colleague from North Carolina.

We have been continually selling and recommending this product for many years now, because it is one of the few products of it's kind that very inexpensively will repair your door after a door kick in without requiring you to replace the entire door and frame.

Below, find one of our first posts about this product and the original video that was made to explain it's features.

Over they last 10 years, we have installed hundreds of these products to customers who have suffered the heartbreak of door frame failure. I guess our clients love the fact that such a competitive priced American made product is widely available to correctly and professionally repair their door frames, without requiring they to spend significantly more for a new door and frame, that essentially will not protect them from similar attacks in future.



December 3, 2009

Strikemaster II Pro

This video shows exactly how and why the Strikemaster 11 product is essential to securing homes and residences. This particular video is almost 4 years old and the price displayed there is incorrect.

The new Strikemaster 11 Pro product is an improvement to the design of this fantastic product and is available now. Whether you decide to order it direct from the manufacturer or through any of their dealers, the price is identical.

We expect stocks of the newer model in about 3 weeks time.

We previously talked about the Strikemaster 11 in March 2008.

(source...)



A list of our articles about this product and similar offerings can be viewed here.