Hosse & Hosse - A Brief History Of keys

Keys have been in use since nearly 4,000 years ago, according to clay tablets that depict keys used in the Babylonian Empire. The first of these keys looked nothing like the historic keys we might imagine today. Some, in fact, may have been as long as an arm and quite heavy. No way you’d have a keychain filled with these keys.

Similar keys were used in Ancient Greece, most likely to lock temples and other structures of significance. They keys were so large that women carried them over their shoulders. You can view one of these at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston—the key that once locked and unlocked the Temple for Artemis Hemera in Arcadia.

The Beginning of Modern Keys

Where we begin to see the stirrings of modern keys was Rome. The Romans took the technology developed by the Greeks and refined it for more common use. Of course, only those with belongings to protect were concerned with locking their doors. The keys of this time resemble the skeleton keys we think of when “historic keys” some to mind, but they weren’t quite as advanced.

A Step Up in Technology

During the 6th century, European keys took another leap forward. Lever tumblers within locks were created, so keys could be even more specialized. One look at these keys, and you can see exactly how they may have preceded our modern keys. These keys also featured more decorative accents, which often featured crosses or the shape of a bishop’s miter.

Fast-Forward…Way Forward

Lock technology didn’t advance much for hundreds of years. The advancements that were made mostly occurred in England, most notably the double-tumbler lock invented by Robert Barron in 1778. Then in the 1860s, Linus Yale, Jr. of Massachusetts brought us right into the future with his cylinder lock. From that point on, lock technology grew by leaps and bounds.

While we still use some variation of the models produced by Linus Yale, Jr., we also have some technology the Ancient Greeks and Babylonians might have considered supernatural. Current transponder keys make it possible to enter and exit a vehicle without even touching the key.

And, believe it or not, Hosse & Hosse can help you with historic locks and transponder keys. The lock mechanisms from Ancient Greece are no longer in use, so we can’t help you there. However, if you’d like to repair a lock or produce a duplicate key for your home built in the 1800s, we can. We can also reproduce the transponder keys for your cars and keycards for digital commercial locks if you lose them.

That’s one of the most fascinating things about being Nashville’s locksmith and security hardware provider for 150 years. We’ve seen it all, and we can still do it all, too.

Hosse & Hosse Safe & Lock have been proudly serving Nashville Tennessee for 150+ years, providing the region with locksmith and safe sales and services, architectural hardware, entry systems and good old fashioned customer service.

Hosse & Hosse are the oldest continually operating locksmith company in Tennessee and the 7th oldest business in Nashville Tennessee. Located in 918 Woodland Street, Nashville TN 37206, they continue to serve residents, businesses and institutions with premium quality lock products and services.

(article reprinted with permission)

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Keebunga - Waterproof Key Case

Kickstarter is a well known crowd funding platform that pairs developers with investors but sometimes a product fails to make it to it's target.

The Keebunga looks like a really intelligent product that would benefit any beachgoer.

Designed to withstand pressure to a depth of 90 feet, this simply designed yet intelligent product could be the life saver beachgoers have been seeking.

Beachgoing, often means leaving your chip key (car key) somewhere dry and protected from the elements but you cannot guarantee the security of where you leave it...that it will be there when you return.

With Keebunga, simply take your (expensive) chip key with you when you swim, surf, dive or ski, confident it will still work when you return to your vehicle.

Electronics and water are not complimentary to each other, hence why a product like this, seems just oh...so smart,

If you go to the beach....you know what it's like to go for a swim, concerned that nobody will nic your stuff that you leave on the beach while dipping. With Keebunga, that issue is solved.

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Uberella - The Humble Umbrella Redesigned

 This concept umbrella is designed with an intelligent 3 wheel combination lock, preventing theft of your weather protector.

Still a design concept, it won an award at last years Red Dot Awards.

Simple to produce and said to come in many different colors, will this product get made?

Maybe...

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Keyponents Transparent Lockable Sliding Lid Outlet Cover

Here is an interesting, if novel product that can be helpful to those intending to secure an electrical socket, switch, cable connection etc.

Simple to install and obvious in it's appeal, the Keyponents Transparent Lockable Sliding Lid Outlet Cover enables communal rooms in hotels, conference rooms, schools etc, to secure the switches from prying hands. Set the ambient room temperature and leave it secured from tampering. Prevent your cable wall connection from coming out. prevent little children from putting their hands where they dont belong.

Want to make sure no one but you can access a particular electrical socket?

Another, 'why didnt I think of that' product!

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HP Warning - The Internet Of Things Products May Be Crap

If you can monitor your own house across the internet. so can everyone else


Today's shiny new security products that are sold just about everywhere, have all the bells and whistles and will even make you coffee in the morning (yeah, right), are quite the rage, arent they?.....or are they?

HP recently completed a study to determine the effectiveness and quality of 10 leading brands of home security products that use real-time monitoring of access control and security for their effectiveness. The result (from this study), indicated that every home security system (tested) contained significant vulnerablities including but not limited to password security, encryption and authentication issues.

HP's Fortify On Demand security service recently tested the offerings from 10 different companies based on video cameras, motion detectors together with cloud and mobile based communication protocols. It found none of the systems required the use of a strong password and 100% of the systems failed to offer 2-step authentication processes.

Connected home security systems are becoming one of the more common Internet of Things (IoT) products that we can all see, touch and use easily today and many manufacturers are climbing aboard this runaway marketing train, to eake out some market share with fast to manufacture components that lack fundemental data security protections. It is almost as if they dont care about peoples data security and given the alarming increase in data theft over the last couple of years, are they selling us short?

Check out the article in the source below for further details...

Having been involved in commercial, residential and industrial security around the world, across the last 2 centuries, we continue to recommend a separation between perimeter security products (deadbolts, door handles etc) and electronic add-on products, like cameras, card swipe access control products and alarm systems.

Using a mechanical security product as your first and last line of physical security is necessary to keep you secure today.

I continue to recommend high-security key control and mechanical access control solutions to all consumers , intent on maintaining the safety and security of their dwellings, offices, institutions and families.

I do believe that the 2-step authentication process will be a major factor in the coming years to protect all users of a security system, because our protection and the protection of our fellow workers, our children and our loved ones, is far more important than having the latest and greatest, you beaut widget that sings for us.

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SOPL - The Society Of Professional Locksmiths

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths (SOPL) just introduced a new flyer that will be available at many up and coming trade shows.

Here is what it looks like...

The SOPL is the pre-eminent organization for the modern day professional locksmith. This fraternity of locksmith professionals, is seeing massive growth of it's member base, thanks to it's core education and training modules, modern discussion forums, member benefits and knowledgeable industry instructors, suppliers and significantly experienced locksmith tradespeople.

The opportunities presented by industry respected administrators in SOPL, bring to life modern and exclusive products, services and training for existing technicians wishing to improve their business accumen and industry knowledge or for those new to the industry.

To find out more details or to join SOPL click on the source below

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Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Buy Now Link Working Again

Our very popular Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock has been selling like hotcakes until recently when sales just stopped to a halt.

Thanks to a returning customer, we just discovered that the buy now link was indicating the product as sold out.

It is not. We have corrected the link and apologise for any inconvenience.

Thanks Lisa.


Click on the picture to the left if you would like to order.

Measles Makes A Resurgence at Disneyland - But Meroni Has You Covered

The recent outbreak of a new strain of Measles at Disneyland in California, highlights societies need to be vigilant in counteracting spreadable diseases.

Measles were supposedly wiped out by vaccines in the early 1970's but this new strain appears to be a mutated version of the all too common childhood disease.


With the regular news reports about viscious diseases and virus' popping up all over the world and in significantly increasing numbers, it has become a vital and important factor when considering protecting people in public buildings, dwellings even at home.

Diseases spread easily among children especially, due to their immune systems not having achieved sufficient maturity to ward off some spreadable virus'.

Meroni have been at the forefront of Anti-bacterial handles for many years and their unique handle products like the Combina and Pigio  offerings, provide care facilities, schools, hospitals and laboratories, all across the world with handles that minimize and mitigate the spread of shareable diseases.

Competitively priced and available to order, the extra special coating on the hardware is tested to European standards that are often considered significantly higher than the standards issued in the USA.

This is a picture of the Combina Anti-Bacterial Handle.
Available in passage, privacy and entrance versions, the color of the handle is an important attribute in the production of these anti-bacterial handles

In this picture you can see a version of the Pigio Anti-Bacterial handle as used in a laboratory.

Pigio is the first European lock to have been awarded CE EN179 certification, being acceptable and compliant with the International Building Code requirements for simple emergency egress.
This allows for a simple to operate, good looking handle that can be used on just about any door that offers ease of use by physically challenged and mitigates the spread of contagious diseases simultaneously.

Any of the unique range of Meroni hardware, make operation by arthritis sufferers much simpler than conventional handle hardware.

Many arthritis sufferers are challenged to clench their fist, which makes operating the simple door handle a task indeed. Not anymore, thanks to the fabulous Meroni range of handlesets.

We are the North American Distributors of all Meroni hardware, including handlesets, cabinet and furniture lock systems, hinges and accessories and door closers.
To become a reseller of the product, contact us to arrange pricing.

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Gokey - The Ultimate Companion for your iOS or Android Device

When it comes to all-around devices, Gokey is unique. It lives on your keyring, doubles as a portable charger with up to 2 hours of charge time, becomes a locating beacon for your mobile device or your keys, operates as a music remote control, a remote shutter for your all important selfies and a storage device for up to 32Gb of memory.

The memory can be password protected and fits to any USB port.

The USB connections allow you to both charge and deliver to your computer or simply charge from a power connected USB port.

Being a keyring related device is why it makes it to this web log.

Personally, I am especially interested in the GPS tagging it can create.

Originally a crowd funded product and almost available for commercial release, this is another example of the current technological age we find ourselves in and more disruptive technology aimed at making modern life just a little bit easier.

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Garage Door Beacon

The Garage Door Beacon is a novel product that effectively brings your automatic garage door into the 21st century.

Using Bluetooth as it's communication protocol, the Garage Door Beacon has successfully integrated this modern disruptive technology into the everyday use for all the family.

Many homeowners across America enjoy automatic garage door openers for ease in entering premises or simply garaging your vehicles.

Using a small product like the Garage Door Beacon, enables a simple connection to your existing automatic door opener and can be set using the Bluetooth technology to authorise individual operators via individual PIN codes.

Now, it is quite well known that garage doors are not the most secure points of entry to any dwelling, however the incidence of failing remotes, non-functional external keypads and other operability problems continue to be a source of business for repairers and is likely to not stop anytime soon.

But with the multitude of products becoming available in increased numbers today, thanks to the current technology age we are in, consumers need to be vigilant and investigative to keep up on the latest products and the quality they offer.

This is why simple to install products like the Garage Door Beacon, that are hardwired to your existing power supply, offer a quality access control solution that is long lasting, sheltered from the elements, easy to setup and install and best of all intrinsically native to operate.

With smartphone apps in both Apple and Google app stores, this is almost a no-brainer for anyone who owns a home with an automatic garage door and/or a modern smartphone.

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Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Price Reduction

Sales of this product are off the charts. Thanks to a more favorable exchange rate and lower fuel costs, we have reduced the cost of this sought after product to only $95.00 plus shipping.

We are only stocking the Satin Nickel (pearl) color option at this special price.

Our modification kit for use on 1-3/4" doors is nearly ready for commercial release. (estimated May 1st, 2015)

This modification will allow for Schlage SC1 keyed cylinders to be used as an option and consequently many other brands of similar keyways. This will allow for keying alike with many existing key systems in the marketplace and also 6 pin cylinders (enabling the product to operate on high-security and design protected master key system key profiles).

Click on the picture to the left to purchase.

EDIT (December 2015): this product now sells for $125.00 plus shipping

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Meroni Premiapri-Nova Assembly and Installation demo

The above video was made for the Spanish market, I think but it illustrates the flagship model handle of the Serrature Meroni range of nouveau handlesets. (the one used here is the Nova style)

We will be displaying these locks at the upcoming SOPL Expo in Indiana in May. We will also encourage attendees to learn to disassemble and reassemble a similar lock.

Pretty much all of the unique Meroni handlesets are assembled similarly.

The installation will show the handle fitted to a standard 1-3/4" (40mm) crossbore hole. The standard crossbore hole dimensions found across North America is 2-1/8" (52mm). To compensate, we recommend including your choice of metal or nylon rose escutcheons.

The white nylon guide that the technician screws into the body of the hardware, prior to installation, is there to assist the installer to hold the product to the door (without requiring 3 hands).

Meroni handles also come in Combina

Forma

And the extra fabulous Pigio range

Pigio 2

Pigio 3

Pigio 1

The color ranges are fabulous in all 4 styles. These make the perfect addition to an interior designers repertoire.

Combine the modern style handlesets with their simplistic approach to use, being especially useful for arthritis or other physically challenged users, make these fine Italian designed and produced handles a much sought after commodity.

Meroni are currently seeing a large comeback to the North American market, with discerning customers from British Columbia to Florida, from California to Michigan, from New York City to Pasadena selecting the range for their upmarket homes and residences.

Meroni's range of furniture locks, hinges, door closers and unique security products are almost unrivalled in the cabinet making industry and are held as the standard by which many "other" manufacturers choose to model their product offering on.

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Skybell - New Alternative To The Classic Doorbell

I have written about other versions of doorbells over the last few years, but as yet have not found the simple yet intuitive device that might solve the demands of many. Until now, that is.

The product featured in the video above, is a new product designed and built in the USA. Of simple construction and occupying a small footprint, the Skybell is designed to replace many of the common doorbells found on most of our homes.

Intercom systems have been around for about 50 years now and intercoms that include a video feed have been around for about 15 years. The technology required to build a long lasting video intercom product, has been evolving and improving frequently.

Skybell allows for connection to a home wifi system and can be viewed wirelessly on almost any wifi connected device. Your iPhone, your Android, your Mac, your Windows PC all can connect to this smart device, enabling your ability to see and hear the person at your door.

App controlled by your smart device, you can greet the person at your door, from the comfort of your current location, without physically answering the door.

What separates this from other "wireless" devices is that it actually connects to your mains. That means you never need to replace batteries.

Currently in crowdfunding mode, I expect this device to take off and finally we may have the appropriate product, so many inquirers are searching for.

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Serrature Meroni Retailer Display Boards Arrived

 Our new Meroni product display boards have arrived.
They come in a white laminated board with each version of the handle style displayed.

First picture is of the key lockable side.

The second picture shows the inner side of each lock

 The third picture shows the Meroni Combina version Anti-Bacterial handle with a "Schlage" C keyway.

The fourth picture shows a Meroni Forma handle with a "Schlage" C keyway








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These displays will be available for purchase at our booth in the upcoming SOPL Expo in May 2015 in Indianapolis Indiana.

Many inquiries have come in from budding dealers wishing to include the product line in their inventories. Now you have the opportunity to purchase a display for your store, offering the benefit of a hands-on display that will make the sales process much simpler.

New dealers interested in this high quality product line should contact us to reserve your display.

These displays show just some of the standard colors available. there are significantly more color options that we will talk about later.

(I must say, the interest from aged care facilities, hospitals, laboratories and medical clinics has been interesting)

We have installed and sold a large number of these fabulous products to customers across the USA and Canada. The quality of the product is exemplary and the instinctive ease of use is brilliant. This is the perfect handle for anyone who may suffer from arthritis and related issues.

SOPL Expo May 1-3, 2015 - Indianapolis

The Society Of Professional Locksmiths proudly introduce the inaugural SOPL Expo, to be held in Indianapolis Indiana, May 1-3 2015.

Daring to be different, the SOPL is a modern era locksmith association that believes in training as one of the core influences in the future of the locksmith industry.

The increasing technical challenges and shifts in business accumen, affect all our decisions regarding the locksmith business. 

Now, the opportunity to participate in a new breed of association, presents us with the challenge to learn about new and alternative products, learn new business practises, marketing skills and business opportunities..

Some of the classes on offer include...

Internet SEO & The Scammer Killer Kit

Stop With The Deadbolts Already!

Emerging Access Control & Integration

Wireless Automation Controls

Commercial Door Installation, Service and Exit Hardware

Servicing Meroni Decorative Hardware

Door Jamb Mortising for Reinforcement

Advanced Master Keying

Advanced Automotive Transponder Programming

Safe Manipulation Boot Camp

Whereas the courses will be open to bonafide locksmiths, the exhibits and trade show will be open to the public.

Interact with locksmiths, teachers, industry players, facilities managers and more.

Check out all the details in the source below.

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2014 MLAA Conference And Trade Exhibit

The annual Conference and Trade Exhibit for the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (MLAA) was recently held at a hotel and conference facility in Twin Waters Queensland.

The weekend event was held about 2 weeks ago.

Here is a short time-lapse video taken by one of my colleagues as he walked the exhibit floor.




This annual trade show and conference is the pinnacle event for the locksmith industry in Australasia, where products, classes and new releases are displayed to attendees.

Special thanks to Trevor Miliken from Albany Lock Service in Western Australia for the video.


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August Smart Lock - Not So Smart

End of May last year we wrote an article about the August Smartlock that has seen a great many pageviews.

I just came across an article in The New York Times written by an author who has been using their August lock for a little while and found some difficulties.

In the article the author suggests that people dont really need to invest sometimes hundreds of dollars for a battery powered door lock that has obvious shortcomings like battery life, proximity issues and no wifi connectivity. Without explaining the pro's of keyless entry systems, he has more or less tossed many of the current crop of similar gadgets on to the waste pile as not as secure or convenient as one might have expected.

He did explain the obvious benefits of the product, easy to install, giving temporary key access to friends or strangers etc.

And the product, similar to the Lockitron in it's intended use, does look good.

Reading through many of the comments to the article, shows that many people are looking for another kind or style of product instead.

Coming Soon - Auto-Magnetic Latching Lock with wireless release option!

View the New York Times article in the source below.

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Ebola Scare - Preventing The Spread Of This And Other Contagious Diseases.

Pictured here is an electron microscope view of the Ebola Virus.

The disease has been surfacing and spreading across Northern Africa for the past couple of years and has started to make it's way to Europe and America with cases being reported in Spain, Greece and Dallas Texas.

A few years ago, the nasty Avian Flu from Asia commonly referred to as H1N1 was the planets last massive virus to affect numerous victims across the world, that got the attention of the media and Centers for Disease Control.

There are many media sources that have been reporting on methods to minimize the spread of this fatal virus, but so far the only cure is said to be a product called Zmapp, a drug developed in the USA to combat the disease.

Serrature Meroni, the Italian manufacturer of leading nouveau door handles and entry products introduced their Anti-Bacterial range of door knobs, about 7 years ago. The product uses an especially formed handle that dissipates or bounces microbes and bacteria away from the door handle, preventing transferrence of these "nasties" between people who naturally would touch the entry door handle to enter or exit a dwelling.

Prevention is often said to be better than cure, because it mitigates the spread of a disease before it can affect large populations.



The Serrature Meroni Combina is the logical choice for any public amenity, hospital, medical office, clean room, laboratory or even educational facility, that might decide that the protection of their staff and guests is of vital importance to their business.

The handles are available in limited colors (which has something to do with the Anti-Bacterial properties) and enables all users, even the physically challenged, to easily operate the door handles, free from worry of contracting or spreading diseases.

UFO+ The Ultra Secure And Stylish Meroni Lock For Light Commercial Vans - Samples Arrived

Serrature Meroni released their fabulous UFO+ Automotive Van and Truck lock system last year. Overwhelming demand across Europe has seen the product become a much sought for solution for securing both sliding and swinging doors on vehicles like the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, Ford Econovan, Ford Transit Connect, Citroen Berlingo and similar ranges of vans and trucks.

The upmarket product is made from stainless and other hardened steel components. It uses a state of the art high-security locking system (similar to Kaba Gemini).

The keyhole uses a hardened steel front disc (keyway) that spins free, making the product extremely drill resistant.

The product is a little difficult to install unless completed by an especially trained technician, but it offers the convenience of interior unlocking, unlike the multitude of other competing products of the same genre.

See the install video after the jump.

We first wrote about this new product in January 2014

We had anticipated a summer release date for this product in the USA, but unfathomable demand from Europe, from UPS and FEDEX fleet managers, saw the USA release pushed back until now.

We have 3 pairs for immediate sale. we will be displaying the product to Mercedes dealers in the Midwest first and anticipate a "buy now" option soon.

New Inventory - Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock

Our fabulous Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock is now back in stock. we have 120 units of the product in the Satin Pearl finish (Satin Nickel) and 4 units left in the Chrome Plate finish.

The manufacturer recently increased the cost of this product, but at this time we will not be increasing the retail price.

We are also stocking limited quantities of the Lockwood 7400 Privacy (bathroom) Pocket Door Lock, the Lockwood 7410 Latching Passage Pocket Door Lock, and the Lockwood 7450 Passage Pocket Door Lock. The non keyed variety are only available in the Satin Pearl (Satin Nickel) finish at this time. We will soon be creating an individual buy now button for these additional products.

The keyed version is still only $120.00 plus shipping and handling.

Smartphones To Open Doors For World's Biggest Lock Company As It Eyes Deal With Telcos

Assa Abloy is the world's largest lock manufacturing company.

Last year alone it made more than $300 million, across multiple different manufacturers.

There has been a continual, albeit modest push to introduce more and more electronic smartphone enabled lock systems across their diverse range of products. 

technology companies like Samsung, Apple and Google have been at the forefront of research and development of all things smartphone, ever since Google beat Apple to market with the first Android mobile operating system.

Many startups have entered the market, touting their own novel products aimed at the residential home security market.

Products like Lockitron, August Lock, Yale Real Living and Schlage or Kwikset Z wave, to name but a few.

The automobile industry has long used the transponder chip technology to better secure our cars and trucks, but the residential entry door market has lagged behind this disruptive technology, only due to the issue relating to electricity.

You see, the reason electronic technologies work on vehicles is because vehicles already use batteries to start, run and power vehicle systems.

Most doors in a dwelling are free standing and most often NOT connected to a power source. This has lead to a surge in the number of battery powered products, like the brands listed above, entering the market. The primary drawback with these products, is the need to constantly be replacing batteries on the units to maintain operability.

There are many dwellings that use electric strikes and hardwired electric lock systems, but that technology, even though it has been around for over 100 years, is expensive to install and consequently maintain.

The market is heating up and demanding better electronic technology for use in our homes, but there has been little productive solutions to the issue of the lack of power.

Whereas the market will continue to develop and no doubt grow, I just cannot conceivably fathom the perfect or best solution to this power predicament. When the power dilemma finally gets solved, perhaps electronic and smartphone technologies will provide a benefit to us home owners who dont want to spend the required arm and leg to hard wire our doors, when a totally mechanical, environmentally friendly, green mechanical key operated hardware solution continues to provide ultimate comparative security and convenience for our homes.

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Our Keyed Pocket Door Lock has Sold Out Again Due To Unbelievable Demand

The very popular Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock continues to beat our sales expectations.

We cannot keep inventory of this fabulous in-demand product for very long.

We are almost completely sold out of current inventory and not expecting replenishing supplies until the end of September.

To those customers wishing for the Satin Nickel color, we appologise for the delay and expect to have new inventory before the end of the month. We still have 5 remaining in the Chrome Plate color.

The modification kit for use in 1-3/4" doors is coming along but not ready for sale at this time.

Thank you to the multitudes of customers for ordering the Keyed Pocket Door Lock. It is with your continued interest that we continue to source unique security products.

3D Printed Bump Key Made To Bump Open Locks

3D printing is all the rage in this age of rapidly advancing technology. So much so, that home made items are showing up quite regularly nowadays. The above video shows a European person bumping open a typical cylinder found in many residential and commercial settings in Europe. But significantly, he uses a bump key made on a 3D printer.

This is especially worrying, I suggest because the bump key furore was hyped significantly through the media in the last few years. There are hundreds of videos online across the web, showing kids and adults of all ages making and bumping many brands of locks including some brands that were once though to be pick resistant/high security.

The market can rest easy, knowing that our Bilock Extreme Security cylinders are well known worldwide as the original 100% bump proof and virtually pick proof lock and key pin tumbler system.

Anyone can purchase a 3D printer today, since models are made that are more easily affordable than the industrial printers that surfaced 10 years ago.

For further information on our Bilock Extreme Security products, contact us for your demonstration.

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Keyring Flashlight Still Works Fine After 18 Months

I bumped into a friend the other day who has my flashlight keyring attached to his keys. The strength and longevity of my "business card" continues to provide light to the user and advertising for me.

You can see he ground the edges of the housing away, yet the light still works perfectly.

Thanks Pauly!

Meroni Nova Locks Used to Replace Peachtree Multi-Point Patio Door Mechanism

 On last Monday, we installed new Meroni Nova locks for a customer who was unable to replace his Peachtree Multi-Point lock system on his patio doors.

The installation process took about 5 hours to complete and involved removing the old Peachtree mechanism that was built into the body of the door.

We supplied Rockwell push plates to cover the large holes left by the old mechanism and installed the new locks to the plates.

The first picture is the completed look.

 To enhance the ambience of the install, we installed a dummy set to the fixed leaf and used the customer sourced strike plates to improve the look.

This second picture shows the dummy installed.

 The customer was able to source replacement plates for his old Peachtree Lock, which we used to cover the holes left by the old mechanism. We installed the Meroni Nova within the replacement faceplate.

 The completed look from inside shows the Rockwell push plates covering the old holes, with the Meroni locks fitted symmetrical.

 The locking knob installed to the operating leaf.

Installing the Meroni mechanism on the operating leaf. All care is taken to ensure precision installation. proper installation is vital to enhancing the required ambience of the fitting.

Finishing work is important. You can see the size of the holes we were required to cover on the fixed leaf (under the drill).

The final result, enabled a simple to operate lock mechanism that suits the color scheme of the interior design of the room.

This is the second Peachtree Multi-Point lock system we have replaced with the fabulous Meroni Nova hardware.

Lockwood 7444 Keyed Pocket Door Lock - Demand Skyrockets

Our Lockwood 7444 keyed Pocket Door Lock is in high demand. We are almost sold out of our current inventory.

This phenomenal product continues to break all sales  records and is keeping us very busy indeed.

The simple installation is proving a hit with builders and homeowners alike. It is designed to fit in a 2-1/8" cross bore, so modifying an existing door is simple. The holes in the door edge are 1" diameter and it is necessary to drill the extra hole below the bolt for the pull handle/plunger.

The factory model is designed for 1-3/8" thick doors. If you intend to install to a thicker door (like a 1-3/4" thick door), currently you are required to countersink the cross bore by at least 1/8" on each side.

We are working on a modification kit that will allow installation to a thicker door, but it is a time consuming process to get perfect. We will not release the kit until it is perfect.

As of this writing we have 6 units in SPDP (Satin Nickel) and 6 units in CPDP (polished Chrome), with new inventory expected in about 4 weeks.

Thank you for continuing to purchase this wonderful product.

Noke - Futuristic Padlock Controlled With Your Smartphone

Kickstarter is well known for being the breeding ground of new ideas. A service where anyone can source funding for almost any kind of project.

Access to capital funding is the most difficult and often stressful issue hampering inventors from proceeding with their ideas. Sure there are wealthy entrepreneurs, who do support ideas from time to time, usually at significant cost to the inventors. Until crowd-sourcing became the new accepted method for sourcing capital, funding took the form of painful, often laborious effort and mountains of paperwork required to prepare and very often resulted in a rejection.

The Noke Bluetooth Padlock is an example of yet another inspirational idea designed to make use of smartphone technology in attempt to make life easier.

Simply pair the padlock with your Bluetooth smartphone for easy and controllable access. This is a system designed to do away with mechanical keys (that I believe is a fundamental mistake).

Removing a mechanical, physical key from a padlock, may seem like a logical step in increasing access control capabilities, but what happens when the internal battery runs down? How do you get your padlock open?

Any electronic product, especially wireless products are open to hacking far more easily than a suitably protected high-security restricted mechanical physical key. Mechanical, physical keys have been used for centuries because they provide quality security protection that is virtually cost-less to run.

A green minded consumer will recognize that the benefits of a non-powered product. The life expectancy of a mechanical product is usually significantly longer than almost any wireless powered product available today.

Will this product take off? Probably, but consumers who desire proper security that lasts, is generally maintenance free and does not require an engineering or electronics degree to understand, will continue to protect the marketplace for many years to come, I suspect.

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Security Alarm Wedge

 

Here is an interesting and extremely inexpensive portable alarm for consumers intent on personal security they can take with them.

A 120db siren that runs on a replaceable 9V battery, the wedge is crafted from stainless steel and polyethylene.

Suitable for travelers or anyone wanting that little extra piece of security, it is wedge shaped with non-slip pads, designed to fit under a door.

When activated, anyone moving the door will depress the stainless steel wedge and trigger the piercing 120db siren.

Yes this is a novelty product that can enhance your security. We expect to offer these in the near future, in answer to demand from discerning customers.

\We anticipate it will cost less than $15.00. 

Coming Soon!

Vier - A New Look At Bicycle Security

 Vier is a new product that is currently seeking funding on Kickstarter.

An unusual looking modified design of the traditional D lock, this idea compacts the product into an easily transportable size providing lightweight yet practical form and function for the bicycling enthusiast.

 The product completely disassembles to allow easy storage in a provided ziplock bag

 As in the case of many D locks on the market, the Vier uses secure, high quality steel in it's construction.

 A functional and compact bag that clips easily under the seat for intelligent stowage is an important feature and factor in bicycle locks.

Clipping to the frame and the wheel, while allowing to also clip to a pole or fence is important.

 You can see in the exploded view, that the designer has made an uncomplicated lock system designed to last.

As is typical of many modern locks of similar ilk, the designers have chosen to use a version of the Abloy Disklock Pro springless cylinder locking system. This will enable a higher security factor and also a very low maintenance product.

Check out their Kickstarter campaign and video in the sources below.










Kickstarter campaign


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7444's selling fast!

Our Lockwood 7444's are flying out the door. One customer just picked up all my Chrome Plated ones.

Hurry, while stock last!

The Ignition Lock Debacle Is Not Really GM's Fault - More Insurance Companies

It is clear to all concerned by now, that the GM Ignition Switch debacle is one of the most sensational news stories of the year.

Locksmiths who work on automobiles have known of these issues for many years and have informed powers that be, in the recent past.

The reports fell on deaf ears, as usual and only since the reports of deaths have authorities bothered to press the issues with manufacturers.

I do find it interesting that it seems the automobile industry appears to have come full circle, with regard to ignition systems.

When the first automobiles were rolling off the production lines, in the early 20th century, all vehicles had the ignition lock switch mounted to the dash, usually toward the center of the instrument panel. This was significantly easier for people to control and away from the possibility of being knocked by a knee or leg. Many ignition tumbler switches were pin tumbler operating systems and not wafer/disc tumblers. Properties inside the cylinder prevented the accidental knocking and turning off the keyswitch.

It was the advent of the insurance companies that brought about a major change

Keyed Pocket Door Lock - New Inventory

As promised our new stock of pocket door keyed locks has arrived.

We expect this stock to move out quickly, given the number of inquiries we have received.

Click on the first image above left to purchase.

Thanks for your patience.

HM Cowdroy P697 Keyed Double Cylinder Pocket Door Lock - Last One

When we began selling keyed pocket door locks here in the USA, the first model we brought in was the Cowdroy P697.

The crescent shaped lock product sold exceptionally well but we decided that we would discontinue selling the line because it does not meet life safety codes due to being double cylinder (key operated inside and out).

The beauty of the product was that it was straightforward to modify an existing square shaped common pocket door privacy or passage lock to take the Cowdroy.

See the installation instructions 

We have just discovered one last unit in inventory. It is polished brass in color, display packed and comes with 2 keys.

If color is an issue for you and wish to purchase this last unit, please send us an email or contact us for delivery.

$135.00 + shipping.

Sacramento - A New Target For Fraudulent Locksmiths

I was born in Sacramento, California but grew up in Australia. I did travel after my locksmith apprenticeship when I was 22 and decided to stay in Sacramento for about a year and a half. While there I was lucky enough to work for 3 different locksmith companies. Locksmiths were quite a different breed back then and this video news report is sad to see that the scammers have evolved there too. Look, I realize that when you are locked out, you will often call the first company you can find and rarely quibble over the price. I am quite surprised that locksmiths in Sacramento do not value their craft more than $50-$75 for an average opening when you consider the higher cost of living there than in other towns across America. Gasoline alone is rediculously expensive at $3.65 a gallon here in the St Louis region and the average attendance here is $65-$95 during the day for the same service. There are the same scammers here in St Louis that ply similar nefarious tactics to attract customers. The report refuses to acknowledge in any way that the search engine companies are very responsible for allowing advertising of such a deceiving nature on their networks.

It is a loophole that experienced computer hackers can manipulate to the advantage of fraudsters who seal up the lion-share of online advertising everywhere you look.

I choose to let my experience, products and service excellence, speak for itself. We do not advertise for the lockout market but will be there if called upon on occasion, for our account customers. (


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