Bilock (A Closer Look)

Interest in Bilock products certainly seems to be increasing, at least for me. I am seeing a significant increase in stock movements, which leads me to write todays piece.

Pictured to the left is Bilock's Schlage cylinder. This cylinder is designed to retro-fit in almost the entire range of Schlage products.

Schlage products use varying length and style connecting tail-pieces, to suit their broad range of products. In the residential market, the cylinders are generally all the same with varying types of connecting tails for the different models of deadbolts and entrance locksets.

Bilock's unique ability to design it's cylinders, maintaining the highest standards while using original hardware, offers customers a significant advantage and savings by negating the need to replace the hardware.

Example: Yesterday, I was called to a property to change locks. The customer required restricted keys to prevent unauthorized duplication of keys. All existing locks were Schlage brand. I was able to maintain using the existing hardware and simply replace the inner cylinders only, maintaining the existing character and aesthetics and significantly limiting the expense normally required for new locks. Result: 100% Fully secure, bump proof, pick proof locks with keys that can only be created after receipt of a correctly authorized letter.

Pictured to the left are the technical dimensions of the Bilock Schlage style entrance cylinder.

Bilock Schlage type entrance cylinders sell for about $70 each.

RoboDog Portable Guard Dog

This excellent product would appeal to apartment dwellers who desire the protection that an animal can provide but without the food bill and cleaning or walking that needs to be done for it's upkeep.

The Robo-Dog Barking Alarm Kit simulates a real, angry dog barking, making it the perfect watchdog for anyone home alone. Use the included Keychain Remote to scare off intruders at the touch of a button!

Product Uses

• Use Robo-Dog to scare off prowlers
• Protect your home while you are on vacation!
• Take it with you! Renters this is an excellent security system for you! It moves with you!
• Use Robo-Dog while you're away!

Product Features

• Built -in X10 transceiver !
• 100 foot range
• Adjustable Volume
• Includes 3 "Beware of Dog" window stickers
• 30 second auto turn off
• Keychain remote control

$59.99

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Types Of Locks Part II

Many people are unaware as to the differences between residential and commercial lockset backsets.

The "Backset" is the distance between the edge of the door and the center of the keyhole.

The diagram below shows what I mean:

The two common backsets are:

Commercial = 2-3/4" (2.75"/70mm)

Residential = 2-3/8" (2.375"/60mm)

Many latches and bolts (commonly referred to as "backsets" in the trade) are available in adjustable lengths for the residential market.

Commercial backsets are supplied in as above, standard. Should you require a different backset length, you need to be very specific when you order.

There are also various times when a 5" (127mm) backset will be requested. These are usually for significantly more expensive and better quality mortise vestibule type locksets, although some residential brands also manufacture these lengths. Likewise, you can specially order backsets that enable "center of the door" fittings. This enables a residential door to have the handle positioned in the center of the door. Sometimes the aesthetic appeal of a center mounted handle, can add significant value to the look of a door.

Types Of Locks Part I

Determining the type of lock you have on your door can greatly assist your locksmith professional to determine the better course of action for repair or replacement of the hardware on your doors.

Understanding the differences between lock styles is fairly simple and easy for anyone to distinguish.

We will try to describe some of the popularly found lock styles in this and future posts, to assist customers wishing to source for repair or replacement products.

These are the commonly used cams found on the back (rear) of most threaded mortise cylinders. Identifying this cam on your cylinder requires you to remove the cylinder from the door.

This is a brief diagram of a standard mortise type cylinder found in commercial and residential vestibule mortise locksets. The critical measurement here is "C", where by the length of the cylinder determines the width of your door.

It is necessary to remove this cylinder from your door, to be able to determine the correct length. Standard lengths are 1.125" & 1.25".

Special order cylinders can be purchased in longer lengths if required.

Making Keys To Cars

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 & Key (314)494-2510.

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.

Animal Repellant Device

There are many and varied forms of security. Many people may think that a security device is designed to protect from human intruders.

While this is true with locks and alarm systems, CCTV and other sensors, sometimes people also intend to secure or protect their gardens from unwanted pests or animal intruders.

Enter the Bell & Howell Animal Repeller.

This intelligent device is a stand alone, battery powered sensor and alarm that emits a high pitched sound inaudible to humans, but truly disturbing to animals.

This type of device might be the perfect gift for the avid gardener who wants to protect the precious roses or vegetable crop from wild animals.

At $29.95 it's a steal.

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Motion Activated Owl Sensor

Not necessarily a security device but this unique product might have some security features for helping ward off animals or pests in your yard.

You could also use it as a Halloween prop.

A motion sensing alarm that sounds and looks like an owl.

When it detects movement within 4-6 feet, owl turns its head to look and lets out a loud, lifelike “hoo hoo.” It can also be set for head movement only. Life-size and made of durable, weather-resistant polyresin. Can be mounted (hardware included). Uses 3 AA batteries (not included).

8" w x 7" d x 16" h.

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Wireless Key Locator

This ingenious device is the perfect gadget for people who constantly misplace their keys.

Never lose your keys again
No more morning panics—just press one of the color-coded buttons and wait for the loud alarm to sound, showing you where to find your keys.

Works at a range of 60 feet
Do you tend to lose your keys in the couch, under the bed, on the kitchen counter? It doesn’t matter, the Wireless Key Finder will find them up to 60 feet away, through floors, walls, even sofa cushions!

Specifications

Includes two colored key fobs Uses two AAA batteries (not included)

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