Spring Loaded Butt Hinges - Replacing The Door Closer

Door closers have been around for a great many years, providing the ability to automatically return a door to the closed position. Door closers are a very intelligent piece of technology that are often quite expensive.

Spring loaded hinges have been around for a little while, but are starting to find their feet in an already crowded door closer market.

The intelligence of using a spring loaded hinge makes complete sense, doesn't it? Replaces the existing hinges on doors. Is hidden. Gives the self closing ability without the extra expense and hardware of a door closer. Works on all types of swinging doors including commercial, industrial, residential, hotels, dormitories, gates etc. anywhere a need arises for a self closing door. It is advised to always use at least 2 spring loaded hinges on a door to minimize the strain on just one hinge.

Many of the newer types of hinges are tension adjustable, to modify the closing speed and latching action. They are easily installed, usually directly in place of existing hinges. They come in multiple sizes and finishes. They comply with ANSI codes and some are even fire rated to UL listings.

There are all sorts of hinges for different applications and with the ability to not have a purpose door closer, can greatly enhance the aesthetic appearance of an entry. Not surprisingly, they are significantly less expensive than purpose built door closers.

Service and parts are minimized because they are a very low tech idea. There are very few moving parts meaning replacing worn or broken springs are significantly cheaper than purchasing a new door closer when the fluid leaks or the arm breaks or the adjustment screws cannot be loosened or tightened anymore.

I know what I'll be recommending in future.

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OnGard - Preventing Home Invasions

A very interesting and unique security product recently released is making the instances of home invasion virtually impossible.

The OnGuard product is a combination of solid materials that when installed correctly virtually renders your door impenetrable.

Installed simply and easily by anyone, it is one of the more cost effective security protection devices you will find today.

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Madison WI convicts Locksmith Scammer

A Madison WI judge has seen fit to convict a dual citizen of both Israel and the USA, for felony ID theft and other related charges.

The defendant was also denied a last minute request to leave the USA to return to Israel to care for his ailing father.

The charges against Burlin were detailed in May 2009 Wisconsin State Journal articles that tracked his company’s use of phony addresses to attract lockout victims to expensive emergency service, using false names to file negative comments about competitors and putting Capitol Lock and Security, a competitor, up for sale on the Internet.

In interviews, Burlin explained that the use of multiple addresses and business names was part of his marketing strategy.
The pending civil charges seek unspecified restitution, forfeitures and costs.

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Koowy Lives Again

Koowy, the new version of the classic video web communication system Mebeam, is back in use.

Now with improvements to the back end and an additional HD quality P2P GUI, allowing high-quality one on one video web conferencing via desktop/laptop.

It is suggested that you maintain a fast connection.

I tested it this morning using my Samsung Epic 4G connected to wifi. While it still is waiting for the Android 2.2 update (Froyo), it still works reasonably well. You still cannot transmit video from the mobile though.

We'll see what happens when and if the 2.2 update ever gets released.

The picture below shows it in action.

On your desktop, the HD p2p connection quality is superb. Being flash based, allows less demand on RAM, although does require broadband for best results.

Once the mobile version is perfected, an app will be developed to take care of the backend. This will show the world, the true purpose of mobile video communication and make it accessible to absolutely everyone with a smartphone.

You can choose to send chat messages to your network, with the included chat function.

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Cal-Royal - Bilock Hybrid $140

Pictured to the left is the Cal-Royal LSD-01 Grade 3 Residential deadbolt.

Construction Features:

1. Mounting screws 8-32 X1 1/2" (Sgl cyl.)8-32 X 2" (Dbl cyl.)
2. 2 1/2" dia. tapered cylinder guard and solid metal insert, turns free with any removal attempt.
3. 2 1/2" dia. tapered cylinder guard and solid metal insert, turns free with any removal attempt.
4. One-piece solid brass housing for extra strength.
5. Hardened steel tail piece.
6. Pick resistant solid brass 6 pin tumbler plug "C".
7. Brass keys.
8. Sturdy, all steel latch case and mechanism.
9. Full 1" throw deadbolt.
10. Latch and strike screws are 8-32x1" combination wood/machine for applications on wood, metal or fiberglass doors and frames.
11. Strike and box.

As the largest Bilock Extreme Security dealer in the mid-west, we are now producing limited numbers of our Hybrid Cal-Royal/BilockGrade 3 deadbolt. By replacing the standard cylinder that comes with the LSD-01, with a Bilock Extreme Security Cylinder and 2 keys, we can offer a totally bump proof and virtually pick proof lock with keys that cannot be duplicated for about $140.00 (depending on the color).

When you compare the different brands of deadbolts currently on the market, most will vary in price due to the ANSI grade, the brand name and the quality of construction.

Many front or back doors on homes across America, already use Kwikset or Schlage Grade 3 deadbolts as the common product. The average price for these brand name products are between $35 and $70. Considering they do not offer any protection from key duplication, bump or pick attempts, makes this Bilock/Cal-Royal Hybrid combination, a very affordable solution to protecting your family and property.

Yes, it is comparably expensive, but your property is worth it is it not?

Dont be fooled by other advertisers claims that their comparison product is pick proof or bump proof or copy proof. There is tons of media out there that proves they are not, but Bilock is the real deal.

Crime Statistics Creve Coeur, MO February 2011

Pictured here is a map of the Creve Coeur, MO municipality and the statistics of crime reported in the source below. from the Creve Coeur Police Department.

The Creve Coeur Police Department is well known in the west county region for it's effectiveness on reigning in crime. They are a credit to their funding.

In February 2011, according to the picture here, there were 265 incidents reported to police.

These incidents include at least 200 alarm responses that police attended.

Police attended to 5 incidents where they wrote Breaking & Entering as the incident.

Police attended to 16 incidents where they wrote Property Crime as the incident.

Police attended to 39 incidents where they wrote Theft as the incident.

There are many reasons that crimes occur. Many of the incidents can be prevented by increasing your security preparedness.

An alarm system is one method, but prone to many false alarms. Police attend to monitored alarm calls, but there is usually a cost, borne by the homeowner or resident. Often police will allow 1 or 2 a year free, but regular false alarms add up to significant manpower hours, that are billed to residents.

Cost effective security products like door frame strengtheners and quality deadbolt locks are essential to improving the security of your properties. Often these small purchases can protect you and prevent crimes like break and enter.

Equally as important are key control systems. Key control systems, restrict the ability of authorized key holders to duplicate keys. Many incidents are happening because owners or managers are unaware of who may have a copy of their key. Preventing unauthorized access to your property significantly reduces crime of opportunity.

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Key Points To Consider For Key Locking A Clients Door

Choosing the suitable key lock for your door is a process that doesnt really require much thought however, sometimes it can be rather daunting to sort through the literally thousands of options in the marketplace.

Many customers choose to source their information online these days and there are many and varied opinions out there offering personal, sometimes biased opinions on what to choose.

For these reasons, I decided to write an article about the key points to consider when choosing the suitable lock for your chosen door.

Is the door a front or rear primary entrance?

- Many AHJ's (authorities having jurisdiction) require dwellings to comply to the international building code, when considering the form and function of a desired key locking product.

- A primary entrance is usually considered the feature point of entry into a dwelling.

- Authorities having jurisdiction are usually the local fire marshal or local government building inspector.

Is the door construction, metal, wood or another material?

- Different entrances can be built from different materials, sometimes due to fire regulations or distances to or from another entry point or due to the types of materials or objects stored within that entrance.

- There are different grades of hardware measured by ANSI (American National Standards Institute), that are designed to guide people to choosing the suitable quality product that meets or exceeds the customers desires, the building code bylaws, life safety codes or ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) bylaws. The three common grades are Grade 1 (high quality commercial use), Grade 2 (medium quality commercial and residential use) and Grade 3 (low quality residential use).

Aesthetic value or importance

- Matching the unique style, color or ambience of a doorway is sometimes an important consideration to customers, intent on maintaining a certain status quo of their chosen entrance/s. There are many differing options available to choose from and many hundreds of different manufacturers that make similar or slightly different variations of the same product.

Is the ability to limit who can duplicate keys of importance?

- Many customers are unaware who has a copy of their keys. Restricting or controlling who can be authorized to duplicate your keys can protect you from potential loss. A key that can be duplicated at any hardware or key cutter means that you cannot control access to your doors.

-Locksmiths have been producing key control products for many years that provide the consumer with a level of protection that other hardware suppliers cannot.

Locking Functions

- There are different functions provided by different models of locks, tailored to many discerning requests. Sometimes it is vital and important for a key lock to only be operated on the outside. Sometimes it is important to be operated from inside too. Sometimes a push or turn button is desired inside, that locks the outside handle. Sometimes a lock is requested that the key can only be withdrawn when locked.

- With so many variables, it is important that you explain your desire to the locksmith to allow them to offer suitable solutions.

French/Double Doors

- Securing double doors requires making the inactive leaf (one door) to be closed and secured prior to the active leaf being able to be locked. There are many choices of product designed to secure the inactive leaf, like surface mounted bolts, flush mounted bolts etc.

Door Frame Protection

- Securing a door with a key lock is often only half the battle against would be unauthorized users. In many cases, the actual door frame and jamb (where the door closes into) are constructed from light grade, thin materials that offer very little to no protection from kicking or ramming.

- Securing the hinge side of a door is sometimes of value too. Installing hinge bolts can prevent a door from being removed when locked after having the loose pin in the hinges withdrawn.

Bump Resistant or Pick Resistant Key Locks

- The increasing discussion online about the truth behind the perceived security of key locking systems has led many well known manufacturers to attempt to offer products tailored to combat these known covert entry techniques. Truth be told, there are very few products that can be considered bump or pick proof or even resistant.

- Whether or not lock bumping or lock picking is a consideration for the average customer, depends sometimes on the statistics of crime, measured by statisticians. It is very difficult, even for a trained forensic investigator to determine if a key lock has been bumped or picked, with absolute accuracy.

- Many authorities, who measure the statistics of crime, often find that instances of lock bumping or lock picking are far too few to measure accurately. Moreover, crime statistics tend to indicate that entrances being defeated are often the result of door frame failure (kicked or pried open), windows smashed or pried or doors being left unlocked.

In most places your trained local locksmith is often the best person to consult about suitable options tailored to your individual needs or desires. Most often a locksmith that is affiliated with a known professional organization, has proven credentials supporting their training.

Weeding the professionals from the wannabe's is sometimes a difficult task. Choosing your professional is accompanied by risks, but often the best recommendations are those of your neighbor or friend. Checkable references/testimonials from third party online agencies are often considered a worthwile guide to helping you choose your preferred vendor.

UFO by Meroni Serrature - Explanation

We previously posted about the UFO by Meroni and have seen heightened interest in this sensational product.

But I think it is fundamentally important for interested consumers to be aware that this product is essentially a lockable escutcheon as opposed to a stand alone product for operating a door mechanism.

We are including an exploded view diagram that should help to provide a better understanding of the purpose of the UFO for entrance door applications.

Yes, there are other applications for this product including automotive and gate and solid glass door situations however, essentially with all these applications, the UFO is designed to be operated from one side and one side only.

For the purpose of a primary entrance, I highly advise against using this product because it will not meet the approved building code or life safety codes as measured by The International Building Code, for safety and egress in residential or commercial dwellings.

NOTE: If you intend to make the actual key entry to your location better protected, this product is sensational. But it will mean you will need to carry both the UFO key and the actual room entry key to gain access to your secure location.

Addalock

Addalock is a modern interpretation of a product that was originally designed a significant number of years ago, to effectively add a degree of personal protection for concerned consumers.

The product is designed to be applied simply and easily to any swinging door that uses an entrance type latch.

Simple to install and perfect for travellers to add that little increase that can prevent potential home invasions while you are there.

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Pennsylvania Is Not Immune To Locksmith Scam Companies Too

The State of Pennsylvania has recently filed a lawsuit against another company employing similar tactics to companies of similar ilk found all across the USA and some other countries as well.

It is unfortunate that authorities in this country are being found inept and incapable of enforcing protection for legitimate, qualified technicians and companies trained deliberately in the locksmithing profession or in their abilities to protect the consumer from these charlottans.

Cowbell - New Retro Door Bell Design

Dieter Volkers, a talented designer and inventor, has designed a unique product that is supposed to be a door knob.

I think it is probably more like a retro design door bell. It is made from a soft polymer material that has the feel and texture of a cows horn or other items found on a cow.

This product can be installed to any type of door and acts like a horn or door bell.

Yes it is a novelty product, but one where simplicity is employed to provide unique product thoughts that perhaps unusually minded consumers might take an interest in.

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Different Entry Techniques

I just now returned from opening a house for a client who was locked out.

I have worked as a locksmith for almost 30 years now and having picked opening very many locks in this time, sometimes I encounter a lock that just won't cooperate.

I always try to find another method of entry prior to drilling the keyhole, like impressioning (making a key from outside), loiding a latch from outside where possible or in a worst case scenario, prying a window.

Tonite, the front and back doors would not pick. I spent at least 30 minutes trying to pick the locks, with no success. Eventually I decided to use a method of entry, that very few locksmiths I know of, will try.

I simply wedged the garage roller door in the middle at the top, opening a 1.5 inch gap and using a long strong wire, simply tripped the emergency release cord, unlocking the door allowing it to be raised easily.

I have found that the greater majority of people tend to leave the door between the garage and the house unlocked.

Unlocking the garage door is usually a simple task as it was tonite. It is an effective method of entry that virtually guarantees against damage.

It does reinforce my advice to homeowners to always make sure to lock that door before leaving the house, as you can be sure, that if we locksmiths know these easy entry methods, you can be assured that people of ill intent, also know them.

Stocking Product

I had a very interesting discussion with a long serving locksmith in St Louis yesterday, about stocking lock products and other hardware.

He indicated that the amount of stock he was continuing to keep in inventory is continuing to decrease annually, due to many consumers sourcing their product online, often substantially cheaper than he can sell them for.

In many cases, I have been lucky to upsell clients to new product, when called to attend a service call. But the primary reason I was able to sell the products, was because I had it on hand at the time.

Stocking many different product lines is difficult to please everybody, due to significant warehousing and retail prices. Most, if not all of our inventory is available online in some regard, elsewhere. This makes it increasingly difficult to compete in the marketplace.

While, you can purchase products elsewhere (and sometimes at more competitive prices), should you?

Often, specialist retailers like locksmiths, can only sell products at list price or similar due to competitive margins. But purchasing from a small retailer like a locksmith, often you will receive better warranty and service conditions.

If quality is a requisite for you, I suggest shopping at your local locksmith might be the better option.

Wouldnt you agree?

C&R Lock Service Ballwin, MO 63011

I usually refrain from alerting customers to businesses that are indirectly and directly my competition, however in the case of C&R Lock Service Inc. I find their willingness to be accomodating and supportive to me at times of extreme benefit.

Ron Schwarz, the owner is a long time experience and qualified tradesperson with a great many dedicated years providing service to the greater St Louis region.

Located in Ballwin, MO 63011, their shop is like a stalwart of the past. Still operated largely, computer free, the old fashioned way continues to offer friendly, personalized and professional services to customers who demand more from their trades services people.

Certainly many products are offered at the big box hardware stores, of which there 3 in very close proximity, but rarely will you find the attention to detail, the first class knowledge and experience of trained personnel or that obscure part to repair your product, rather than buying a new one.

I have personally known Ron for the last 5 years and work with him to service West County clients. I always recommend clients who call me, to visit his store for duplicate keys rather than pay for a service call from a mobile service like me. It is beneficial and cost effective to visit an established, experienced shop and operator who can advise and provide products and services that the unfriendly big box cannot.

One day, perhaps I too will have my own shopfront to offer services to passing trade. Until then I am very happy to recommend Ron as one of the most pleasant locksmith competitors in my area.

Please visit C & R Lock Service Inc at 14774 Clayton Rd Ballwin MO 63011

Locksmith Scammers Caught and Indicted

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

RICHARD G. CALLAHAN
United States Attorney

February 18, 2011
For Immediate Release

OWNERS OF FLORIDA LOCKSMITH SERVICE INDICTED IN SCAM TO OVERCHARGE FOR LOCKSMITH SERVICES

St. Louis, MO: The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that the owners of a Florida based locksmith service were charged in a superseding indictment on multiple federal charges involving a scam to overcharge customers for locksmith services, as well as employing and harboring illegal aliens.

According to the superseding indictment, Dependable Locks, Inc., headquartered in Clearwater, FL, managed a national network of locksmith technicians, operating from major population centers across the United States, including St. Louis. It also maintained a full-time staff of telephone operators and dispatchers, who were on duty 24 hours per day in Clearwater. The dispatchers received phone calls electronically forwarded from hundreds to thousands of telephone numbers listed nationwide for emergency locksmith services, all of which forwarded consumer calls to the call center in Florida. The dispatchers received the calls and the business dispatched locksmith technicians from the area of the call to respond. Many of the locksmith technicians working for Dependable Locks were aliens who were unlawfully present in the United States and were not authorized to work as locksmith technicians.

The indictment alleges that the locksmith company engaged in deceptive marketing by purchasing directory listings and advertisements in cities across the United States that identified the business to the public as a set of local locksmith companies. The company’s listings used multiple business names, local phone numbers and fake local addresses that had no affiliation with the company. Phone calls to the listed phone numbers were automatically routed to the company’s call center in Clearwater, Florida. In addition, telephone operators for Dependable Locks were instructed by managers to mislead customers to believe that they would be charged around $54 for a car lockout, while the responding technician was instructed by managers to charge up to $179 for a lockout. Technicians used techniques such as accusing the consumer who objected to the overcharge of "theft of services," threatening to call the police, withholding the customer's keys or driver's license to compel payment or following the customer to an ATM machine to ensure payment.

The locksmith technicians allegedly were allowed to split the profits of the fraudulently procured locksmith services with the company and were required to remit the company's share of the proceeds by regularly purchasing and shipping cash, checks and money orders to the Dependable Locks location in Clearwater, FL.

"After more than a year of following numerous leads with ICE and the Missouri Attorney General's Office, we are pleased to see this case continue to progress," said Postal Inspector J.R. Ball of the St. Louis Field Office. He added, "The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is vigilant in investigating allegations where the mail or postal products are used to conceal or further a crime."

DAVID PEER, Clearwater, FL; and ADAM OLIVKOVICH, address unknown, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, five felony counts of mail fraud, one felony count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens for private financial gain and one felony count of engaging in a pattern of hiring unauthorized aliens. MOSHE AHARONI, Clearwater, FL, was indicted on one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one felony count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens for private financial gain.

Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. Mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. Conspiracy to harbor unlawful aliens for private financial gain carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a fine up to $250,000. Engaging in a pattern of hiring unauthorized aliens carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison and/or a fine of $3,000 per alien. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant United States Attorneys John Sauer and John Ware are handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Altic Lock Service - Indianapolis IN 46203

Altic Lock Service is a fellow member of "The Society Of Professional Locksmiths" located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Barry Campbell, owner of Altic Lock Service, is bonded, insured, and holds two locksmith certifications. He has received further manufacturer training from MAG Manufacturing, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, and Arrow Lock. He is a former Professional member of the International Conference of Building Officials. Barry began working as a locksmith over twelve years ago. Altic Lock Service is now in its sixth year of operation.

We, at Master Key Systems America LLC - St Louis Locksmiths, like to recommend ethical and honest qualified professional locksmith companies, whom we know are trained professionals and can service discerning clients in their region.

Choosing a reputeable company is very important to businesses and residents intent on providing first class professional and reliable services designed to protect business or family interests.

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths is a USA based organization that sets a new standard for like minded professional locksmith companies and personnel.

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Square - Our New Credit/Debit Card Processor

Last year, we decided to enroll in a very new payment processing service/product known as Square. What we like about Square's product offering, is it's simplicity in design, process, minimal fee structure and the fact that it's is the brainchild of local St Louis entrepeneurs.

Simple to use, you insert the reader into your website connected smartphone, launch the app and swipe away. Enter a customers email address if they want a copy of the transaction emailed to them and that's it.

This product is a blessing for small businesses everywhere because it takes the pain out of payment processing, puts power back in the hand of the vendor and reduces costs associated with time, labor and computer or peripheral GUI training.

Do yourself and your business a favor, become a Square user and support another St Louis business while reducing your costs and inconveniences.

Your clients and your profits will be happier and higher, for sure.

Blogroid - Blogger and Android collaborate

Techies and early adopters rejoice, Blogger is now an Android app.
This will hopefully make it easier to write new articles and posts of interest and posts them from the field.

This is my first attempt at using the new app, so I hope it works well.

I look forward to posting more articles in this genre using the Blogger app for Android

Schlage Securekey Bumped

The new style Schlage Securekey Lock is the subject of much discussion recently and our post on Schlage Securekey Problems is one of this sites most popular posts. As popular is this sites post on Kwikset Smartkey Problems.

The above video shows how easily the Schlage Securekey Lock can be bumped. It was believed that Schlage's motivation for releasing this lock was to thwart the bump key phenomenon and to also provide the owner with the ability to rekey their own lock, rather than calling the services of a professional locksmith.

The quantity of issues with this product are mounting daily and this new example of the ease in bypassing/bumping or manipulating the lock, should be an indication to prospective buyers of what not to purchase.

These locks are primarily available at big box hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes. No self-respecting, ethical, honest retailer can offer this product for sale in my opinion.

Search Engine Statistics for January 2011

Here are the top 10 January's search stats that lead people to this website.

Interesting to note how many people seem to be searching for information on the Kwikset Smart Key Problems and the Schlage Securekey Problems.

Our Keyed Pocket Door Lock continues it's amazing run in popularity, too.

Kaba-Ilco Simplex 1000 Fault

Pictured here is the Kaba-Ilco Simplex 1000 Access Control lock, that is the subject of a wide ranging lawsuit previously mentioned.

The fault, which renders this lock totally insecure, can be easily performed by anyone using a rare earth powerful magnet, that is easily purchasable for about $125.00

Many government departments, institutions including hospitals, police stations, computer rooms, schools, medical facilities, file rooms etc, that have this lock or similar range of mechanical access control locks (Simplex 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 series etc) are now vulnerable to this simple "hack".

I feel that displaying the method here would be very inappropriate, however you can find it yourself (with a bit of digging) through the source below.

Suffice to say, I believe that any purchaser of this lock or similar, needs to be made aware of the fault and appropriate action be performed to replace it/them with a more secure device.

(source...)

EDIT: February 1 2011. Kaba-Ilco could have produced a fixer for their flagship product. Apparently, the newer models released in January this year, may be impervious to the magnet attack. (source...)

Xena - Padlock Alarms that are a cut above

Xena, a manufacturer of intelligent alarms that are portable, inexpensive and functional with the added ability of also being padlocks and other security devices are a new style product combining both physical and electronic security.

The many and varied uses for their products, augment well, an increasingly specialized market that demands quality and affordable products tailored at consumers desires to increase the security of their personal fixed and mobile applications.

The Bullet-Lock Alarm is a unique product that can be used on a multitude of applications.

I continue to be a skeptic of the value of alarm systems, however when a product comes along that incorporates both an alarm and a physical security product, I can only see a seldom seen combination that might actually improve the security of your property.

The Disc-Lock alarm, not only alarms your motor cycle, but actually prevents it cycle from being driven away.

A 110dB alarm, is often enough to attract the attention of onlookers, a hazard that potential burglars may see as a detriment to their chosen prey.

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Salto - Revisited

Two new products, tailored to the North American market have recently been released by Salto.

Pictured here is the Salto mechanism designed to convert the humble entrance set (most common in USA) to the ultra-secure Salto RFID wireless access control system.

Also recently released (not pictured) is a cylinder designed to be used with conventional wooden and aluminum door mortise locks.

Certainly these products are not cheap, but the convenience of high-security access control and audit trail features using the world reknowned Salto Inspired Access systems, separates this company from the other players.

Check them out! You are sure to be impressed.

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While You Are Sleeping - Daring Burglars

Burglars are sometimes a crafty lot. They are indeed becoming more and more bold in their endeavors to outsmart residents.

Too often, many homeowners/residents who live with alarm systems actually leave the alarm switched off while they are at home.

Many may think, that a burglar is less likely to attempt malicious entry if someone is actually home at their chosen time of attendance. This is not so in the case of a Louisville KY resident recently.

Cheryl Effinger recently awoke to a disturbing revelation. Her home had been ransacked while they were sleeping. You see, they failed to arm their system upon going to bed. The bold burglars, broke through a downstairs door and caused damage and the loss of some very valuable home furnishings.

"We had turned it off," said Effinger, "because it would sporadically just go off."

Here in lies one of the problems with alarm systems. Many homeowners/residents are fooled into thinking that an alarm system is designed to protect them. Similarly to video surveillance systems, an alarm system cannot protect. An alarm system can only inform that a particular condition is occurring or has occurred.

You can pay a monitoring company to monitor your alarm system for a hefty monthly sum, but it does no good if it is switched off. In many precincts, the police, who attend to alarm calls for the monitoring centers, will invoice the homeowner for attendance, especially for false alarms. This adds to the real term cost of having an alarm monitoring contract. (something rarely divulged by an alarm system sales person)

Please dont be fooled by the alarm companies, especially when they use the closing sales spiel of 'your insurance premium will reduce by as much as 15%'.

Did you realize that the insurance companies and many alarm system providers are in cohoots? Insurance companies do offer some premium discounts if you have a monitored alarm, but rarely do they offer similar discounts for properly installed protective equipment, like good quality deadbolts, window security film or door frame strengtheners. Probably because they do not have an "arrangement" with protective equipment manufacturers.

Installing some of our products or similar, will greatly increase the physical security of your entries and likely thwart burglary attempts.

Often, locksmiths will provide obligation free security assessments with advice on methods to prevent attempted break ins. Yes, they can and do recommend products they stock and they often will provide expert advice on extra security prevention methods that are inexpensive/free.

For an obligation free assessment, contact your locksmith professional today!

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Word Of Mouth Referrals

Choosing a reputable locskmith.

If you’ve ever locked yourself out of your car or home, you know what a hassle it can be. Your first thought is to get someone to help you out of your situation. If a family member or friend can’t deliver a spare set of keys, your next call might be to a local locksmith. But before you make that call, consider this: According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, some locksmiths advertising in your local telephone book may not be local at all. They may not have professional training. What’s more, some of them may use intimidating tactics and overcharge you. (source...)

Testimonials

Guaranteed testimonials are integral to verifying your chosen provider. We here at Master Key Systems America LLC - St Louis Locksmiths (314)266-1533, pride ourselves on our developing reputation. The testimonials here are genuine feedback from Service Magic clients

In Case There’s a Next Time

Once you’ve found a reputable locksmith, keep the company’s name and contact information in your wallet and address book at home or at work. You also may want to program this information into your home and cell phones. This can save you time and trouble the next time you need these services.

For more information see the FTC website.

Male Chastity - Unusual Security Product

I thought long and hard (forgive the pun) about whether or not to post this article, for obvious reasons.

But I decided that it fits into the unusual and unique security products category, if you open your mind a bit.

This product was originally tailored to women but could be considered by any chosen persuasion, keen on keeping their male partners from straying.

Of course you can choose your own preferred brand of padlock.

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Modern Master Key System Design

Traditional master key systems were designed primarily by architects or door personnel without necessarily much experience in locksmithing.

Many existing master key systems found today have been created by the Original Equipment Manufacturer and often do not or cannot be serviced by them, requiring assistance from suitably qualified and trained locksmiths.

The benefits of a locksmithing background are immense when designing, creating and building a master key system.

Traditional systems usually included one central grand master key designed to work every door/lock in a building or group of buildings. These buildings could be in the same location or multiple locations. Then there would be sub-master keys, held by individuals requiring access to only a designated area and not all areas. Next there were servant keys (a.k.a. Change Keys) designed to work the individual lock.

While traditional systems are still requested today, there are better methods available thanks to products like Abloy Protec and our signature product Bilock.

The modern approach to master keying is akin to the purpose of card access or fob access systems, whereby each lock in the system can be programmed to accept individual keys.

Unlike card access or fob access systems, Bilock and Abloy Protec cylinders work with traditional locksets, reducing the cost associated with new especially designed hardware and electrical connections, computer software programming, training of staff to implement and carry out changes etc.

With Bilock, we can tailor any system to as many as 16 million different keys per keyway. That means that virtually any lock in any building, campus or group of buildings, whether in the same location or multiple locations can be mechanically programmed to accept many different keys.

With Bilock, you can enjoy painless rekeying, thanks to the Quick Change Core function. Missing or lost keys can be removed from the system without affecting other key holders. The locks (mostly) never have to be removed from the applications (doors).

With Bilock, you can color code your keys to make them individual and original. Each key is only produced as an original and cannot be duplicated easily.

Cost is significantly cheaper than an electronic access control system, because electronics are not used, there is no wiring to overheat, short out, suffer from power outages. No circuit boards are used requiring foreign made parts to repair.
Your locksmith can usually repair or replace a faulty part instantly. Your maintenance person can often take the lock to your locksmith for instant quick repairs as opposed to waiting for a licensed, qualified electronic technician, especially trained in your electronic product category.

To Be Or Not To Be - A Safe

This interesting video in German (subtitled in English) shows exactly why you should purchase a quality safe from a quality specialist lock or safe provider.

Many similar models of the cheap safes found in the above video are widely available in big box stores including Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Best Buy and Costco.

After watching the above video, it is very apparent that many consumers, also here in the USA, may be dreadfully unaware that their new el-cheapo purchase will not perform the action for what is intended.

Many of these "safes" (I use the term loosely) are manufactured in countries that have no quality control or independent testing regimes.

If you are going to trust your valuables are secure, your cost is a serious consideration. Pay peanuts, and you will get monkeys!

Search Engine Statistics for 2010

I have gotten into a habit of posting the annual results of searches online that lead people to this website.

Pictured to the left are the top 10 search terms for 2010 that resulted in 1124 hits to this website.

Total quantity of online searches across the many search engines, that caused people to click on this website = 6295 for 2010.

This site accounted for 17.48 hits per day in 2010 just from search engine inquiries.

The success on any website online, is best measured by the quantity of hits received in search engines.

Companies can tout all sorts of indices purporting to offer some sort of indication of your website's penetration, but the best results are those that directly indicate actual website hits.

Google Analytics is easily the best vehicle for reporting these results.

Other results about this site, for 2010 (from Google Analytics):

Direct Traffic : 1620 visits

Referring Sites : 25,246 visits

The above statistics combined also indicate 41,827 pageviews for this website during 2010.

These statistics help me decide where to place my advertising budget for the next year.

Kaba Simplex Pushbutton Mechanical Lock Class Action Lawsuit

Breaking News.

Reports coming in about a possible class action lawsuit against Kaba-Ilco, regarding a fault with their most well known product line, the Simplex Mechanical Access Control Devices.

I have personally sold, serviced and installed Kaba-Ilco Simplex products for over 25 years in this country and overseas. I happened to work for the Australian distributor in the early 1990's and frequently was honoring warranty claims on faulty parts, to which the company would replace and/or repair parts at their borne costs.

While I suggest that any class action lawsuit of this kind would best be fully researched prior to being actioned, I think the manufacturer would make it their priority to rectify faults in their product line with haste.

The details of the claim are in the source below.

(source...)

UPDATE January 28, 2011: New information including video evidence (from a respected watchdog) has surfaced, showing the fault. I will not post a link here, for security reasons, but it is easily found online at www.thesidebar.org website.

Facecrook - Crimes Associated With Social Networking Sites Increases 7000%

Burglars are a crafty lot aren't they? It is becoming ever more apparent that Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites may be indirectly responsible for a spike in crime, that is unprecedented.

As the holiday season approaches, we all need to be much more vigilant in our approaches to personal and physical security.

According to an article in The Daily Mail in Great Britain...

"A Daily Mail investigation revealed this week that over the past three years, numbers of crimes associated with the networking site have increased by as much as 7,000 per cent in some areas — including cases of murder, rape, paedophilia, bullying, assault and burglary."

Police, insurance companies and IT security experts are so concerned that they have issued urgent warnings to users to be more vigilant about the personal information they post on the web. But all the evidence ­suggests that while the public isn’t growing any more internet savvy, the criminals are.

In spite of the warnings, Facebook users continue to tell their ‘friends’ when they are going on holiday; what the address of their party is; when their birthday is; what expensive items they have bought for their homes; and just how sexy they look in that new outfit.

Facebook has become a very popular method to inform friends (and enemies) of your movements. Criminals have been seen to exploit these mediums to gather intel on the movements of their victims.

When you post your status on Facebook, how sure are you that your network of friends are reliable and trustworthy?

In most cases, I suggest friend can be trusted, but remember that it takes just one loose lip to sink a ship.

In the source below, the article explains about some disturbing incidents of crime that have been attributed to status updates on Facebook.

(source...)

Pneumatic Pocket Door - Star Trek Style

It's no secret that I have a fascination for pocket doors and systems designed to efficiently lock them.

I have been selling a pocket door lock for about 12 months now that is meeting and exceeding demands from discerning buyers.

An enterprising fellow has created his own version of an automatic sliding pocket door that is really well built and fully functional. The above video is his explanation of what it does. It is really simple and requires parts that can be purchased at the hardware store, so cost is relatively inexpensive. Perhaps the Star Trek era is coming even closer to reality.

I suggest visiting the authors site in the source below for more knowledge and installation steps.

What do you think? Is this something you could perceive in your abode?

The era of door knobs and hinges, I suggest is on the decline.

(Source...)

Google Adwords 10

Google Adwords is celebrating it's 10th birthday, with a video I just wish the product worked.

Cool advertising idea, but!

Beach Keys

An interesting piece of information has surfaced as to motor vehicle dealers possibly misleading potential car buyers.

Many cars today are equipped with factory installed security features requiring the use of transponder or "chip" keys.

These keys usually have a plastic outer shell/head with a transponder or chip embedded within, programmed to be recognized by the vehicle's onboard computer system. When inserted into the ignition, the correct key is then authorized to start the engine.

Apparently, there are reported cases of customers asking the salespeople if their new car comes with 2 keys, to which the answer is "yes". But apparently the dealers are providing the second key or spare, without the plastic head or embedded pre-programmed chip. This key is known as a Beach Key.

The customer rarely tries the second key and finds out later on (after losing or misplacing the first key) that the spare, which is often a metal only copy, will not actually start the vehicle.

This requires the customer to call an automotive locksmith. Originating a key to a vehicle of this type is an expensive endeavour, that many customers tend to have a rude awakening about.

I suggest that you immediately check the correct operation of all vehicle keys prior to leaving the showroom or car yard.

Kwikset Smart Key - Making Keys

Kwikset Smartkey Locks have been on the market a few years now. Many of these locks have been purchased at the big box hardware stores, without any clue as to the procedure for replacing lost keys.

The lock is able to rekeyed but it is fundamental to have at least one working key.

The use of the above pictured reset tool is required to make a key when all existing keys have been lost.

First, the door it is fitted to needs to be unlocked. The lock must be dismantled and the cylinder removed.

The cylinder is then inserted correctly into the cradle and the actuator turned to the reset position. Insert a new precut key and rekey to same.

Remove cylinder and replace in lock.

In future, you can still rekey this lock provided you have at least one working key.

See also Kwikset Smartkey Fault

Schlage Securekey Problems

Baldwin To Use Kwikset

Schlage Securekey Fault

Kwikset Smartkey Problems

Schlage Securekey Bumped

Locking Product Deficiencies

There are many manufacturers of locks and locking systems. It can be a daunting task, sifting through the mountains of information about product quality and effectiveness, to guide the decision making process.

The Sidebar .org is a site that offers unbiased information and results of independent tests conducted on many security products. The information contained there can help to guide a prospective buyer of security products as to independent, field tested scenarios for some of the modern security products available.

The following products were recently tested by this organisation for quality and effectiveness.

KWIKSET SMARTKEY
BIOLOCK 333 FINGERPRINT LOCK
KABA SAFLOK IN-SYNC RFID LOCK
AMSEC ES1014 ELECTRONIC SAFE

ILOQ C10S ELECTROMECHANICAL LOCK

(source...)

State Farm Insurance - Opinion On Best Door Locks

I read with interest an article (in the website listed in the source below), offering an opinion about the quality of various types of door locks and systems that enable better security in residential applications.

From the site...

Door Locks From a Burglar's Perspective

Burglars prefer to break into a home through a door because it is quick and easy.

A good quality lock is a deterrent. When intruders are interviewed about the selection of a target, many say seeing quality deadbolt locks will cause them to move on to another house.

A burglar can enter the home through a door using several methods:

• The door can be left unlocked.
• Doors can be kicked in.
• Door locks can be picked.
• Door locks can be hammered until they fall off.

Instant Chat Feature

Free Instant Video Chat Feature.

Instructions

• Click on box
• Follow Prompts

Use at your pleasure.

(source...)

St Louis Crime Rate #1 In The Country

The CQ Press just came out with its list of most dangerous cities in America.

St. Louis -- number one in the rankings!

True, there is always a lot of controversy surrounding this kind of report, from people saying things like, "I wish you wouldn't use our data this way; there are a lot of factors that go into crime," and other people saying things like, "It generates discussion, and that's healthy," to still other people saying things like, "While you were discussing this, I was robbed at gunpoint eight times!" So there seems to be a range of opinion.

(source...)

All Time Leading Pages Viewed

Ok folks! Here is what you have asked for. The all time leading pages viewed at this site.

The Home Page

Cowdroy P697 Pocket Door Lock

Biometric Thumblock

Changing Locks

Bilock 1

Bilock 2

Bilock 3

Bilock 4

Keys To Cars

Strikemaster 11

Car Remote Broken

Pocket Door Locks

Why Make Car Keys

Cost To Change Locks 1

Cost To Change Locks 2

Urgent Need For A Locksmith In St Louis

These are the past 4 years results we are looking at. 400,000+ pageviews might yield data that people are searching for. Using these results as a guide to future marketing is proving worthwile. It allows us to get inside of the minds of our prospects, to help us write articles that are of greater interest to searchers.