Specialty Door, Lock And Repair Services In St Louis Missouri. (314)266-1533
Unique Security Products and Specialty Locksmith Services
June 18, 2009
Cowdroy P697 Pocket Door Lock With Key
June 5, 2009
Big Box vs Specialty Retailer
June 1, 2009
Medeco M3 Locks Picked and Bumped
May 30, 2009
Crime Statistics - Maryland Heights MO UPDATED
We now post the updated list of crimes reported to Maryland Heights, MO police department for the period 4-30-09 to 5-30-09. (We apologize for the quality of the image)
Copy Cat Locksmiths
Richard's Locksmith and Safe company has been in business for more than 39 years. Owner Jack Rothberg noticed a few years ago that someone was advertising a name very similar to his and advertising an address that was only one block away from the real Richard's lock shop. The copy cat address is actually a Chinese restaurant and has nothing to do with the copy cat. Jack thought that all he would have to do is notify the authorities and this problem would go away. To Jack's surprise, there was not much that would be done about this crime and because he reported the crime, he was retaliated against by the copy cat.
The copy cat came by Jack's shop and shot out his van windows, cut his gas lines and put and bullet through Jack's shop window. Being the security professional that Jack is, he caught the entire crime on video. The copy cat was arrested but so far has never spent a day in jail. If you would like to see the video of this crime, you can click on the link below and watch a local NBC story that aired in south Florida. We can honestly say that this copy cat case is the worst we have ever seen here at Legal Locksmiths.com.
These copy cat's are popping up all around the country and the public needs to be aware of what is happening. If you feel that you have been a victim of a copy cat locksmith, whether you are a consumer or a locksmith, we would like to hear form you. Please click here and fill out our complaint form.
There have been tens of thousands of victims over the last few years, and even though federal and local law enforcement agencies are cracking down on some of these criminals, you still need to be aware of what is happening. We want you to know that there are legal locksmiths waiting to assist you. That is what LegalLocksmiths.com is all about.
May 20, 2009
Bluegard Bluetooth Enabled Access Control
May 12, 2009
How To Repair Door Closers
I try to acknowledge the source of my reference in most if not all articles written here.
This next post is actually by well respected Author and Locksmith Tom Rubenoff and the source of this article is from Hubpages.
Door Closers
This article is primarily about surface mounted door closers, but the ideas herein can be applied to other kinds of door closers as well.
Door closer adjustment is an art that requires knowledge, patience, and an ability to climb up and down a ladder several times, but with these attributes and the appropriate wrench, hex key or screwdriver, you can do it yourself.
Most of the adjustments are implemented through the opening or closing of hydraulic valves. When it comes to turning the screws that operate these valves, a little goes a long way. A turn of 5 degrees can significantly increase or decrease closing speed.
CAUTION: DO NOT COMPLETELY UNSCREW DOOR CLOSER HYDRAULIC ADJUSTMENT SCREWS OR YOU WILL RUIN THE CLOSER AND VOID THE WARRANTEE.
Also, hydraulic fluid will leak out of the closer and make a mess. This will make you unpopular.
A door closer is a mechanical device designed to close a door slowly, but firmly enough to latch. It accomplishes this by using spring tension modulated by hydraulic fluid. As the user opens the door, hydraulic fluid passes from one reservoir to another, and as the spring pushes the door closed again, the hydraulic fluid passes back to the previous reservoir through a series of valves that control the speed.
The illustration at right shows the effects of the common hydraulic adjustment controls available on most commercial grade door closers. Controls for swing speed and latching speed control how fast the door closes, and many closers also feature a hydraulic control for back check that controls the last few inches of the opening the door so as to prevent the door from being slammed into an adjacent wall.
- Swing speed adjustment controls how fast the door closes from fully open to within about 5 degrees of closed
- Latching speed adjustment controls how fast the door closes for those last few inches
- Back check adjustment controls the amount of resistance to opening the door past a selectable point
The illustration below shows the various hydraulic control valves. These might be located in many configurations, but you will usually see the back check control located somewhat away from the latch speed and swing speed controls.
There are also door closers equipped with an additonal valve for Delayed Action. Delayed action closers hold the door open for a longer period of time to allow persons with disabilities more time to get through the door.
Also notice the Spring Tension Adjustment in the illustration above. Spring tension controls the "size" of a closer. The term is misleading, because it does not actually have anything to do with the physical dimensions of the closer. Size is determined by the width of a door. "Sized" closers, that is, closers that have a factory pre-determined spring tension for a particular door width, have no spring tension adjustment. Many door closers today are "non-sized", indicating that spring tension can be field adjusted to fit the size of the door.
It is tempting to use the spring tension adjustment to solve problems, for example, in positive pressure situations where air flow is preventing the door from closing properly. However, the tighter you make the spring, the harder it will be to open the door. It is possible to tighten the spring tension to the point that some people will not be able to open the door.
Adjusting the Door Closer
To adjust the door closer, bring a step ladder tall enough so that you can easily reach the door closer from the second or third highest step. Climb the ladder and examine the closer. If you can't see adjustment screws, chances are the closer has a cover. Usually the cover is plastic, but it could also be metal. If you see no fasteners holding the cover on, that means the cover is held on by tension. Pull it off. If you do see fasteners, usually you can loosen, but not remove, the fasteners and the cover will slide off.
If you find that there is oil in the cover or oil on or leaking from the closer body, you can stop right now. You need a new door closer. If, however, it is not leaking, you can proceed.
Now that you have the cover off, you should be able to see the adjustment screws. If you are lucky, they will be marked on the closer body as to what they are or there will be a diagram inside the cover. If not, you may have to experiment a little to see which is which. Remember, when it comes to turning door closer adjustment screws, a little goes a long way. Start with no more than 1/8 of a turn. Turn the adjustment screw clockwise to slow the door closer down, counter-clockwise to speed it up. then get down off the ladder and observe the effect.
Open the door and watch it close. If it closes right the first time, check it 10 more times. If it closes correctly every time, you're done. If not, go back up the ladder and make another adjustment, etc., until the closer is doing what you want it to do. When it closes the way you want it to 10 times in a row, it will probably continue to do so.
Ideally a non-delayed action door closer will close and latch the door in 7 to 8 seconds.
Problems
If you expect a door closer to consistantly close the door, as a prerequisite the door must close properly. If there is a hinge problem, a warped door, or the door must swing uphill to close, a door closer will only go so far in solving the problem. Sometimes a door must be repaired before it will close and lock automatically with a door closer.
In vestibule conditions, where you have an exterior door, a small space, and then an interior door, the trapped air between the inside and outside door can be a factor. You may have to adjust both closers to get both to work correctly. Wherever air pressure is a factor, including negative or positive pressure situations, I have have gotten door closers to close and latch the door consistantly by adjusting them to a slow swing speed and a somewhat fast latch speed. The slow swing speed seems to give the air a chance to get out of the way and the fast latch speed gives it a very slight slam at the end to make sure it latches.
Trouble Shooting
- If oil is leaking from your door closer, throw it away and buy a new one.
- If your door closer is slamming the door and cannot be adjusted to do otherwise, either the fluid has leaked out or the valve seals are worn out. Either way, your best option is to replace it.
- If the closer stops closing the door before it's closed all the way, or actually spings back when you try to manually shut the door, the arm is probably installed on the shaft incorrectly. Download the instructions from the door closer manufacturer's web site and see if it is installed correctly.
- If the arm makes noise and bounces up and down while the door is in motion, tighten the fasteners that hold the arm to the closer, to the header, and at the knuckle that holds the two parts of the arm together.
- If the door closer has no spring tension and the spring tension adustment turns round and round with no effect, the spring is broken the door closer must be replaced.
May 4, 2009
Strikemaster II - Copycat Test
I have personally installed numerous Strikemaster II units, many of them to door jambs that looked almost identical to the one destroyed here.
One of the great things about Strikemaster II, is that installation on your home after a similar break in, can effectively reduce your repair/replace bill by multiple hundreds of dollars. To accurately compare the difference in costs, call a local builder/contractor and inquire as to the cost to install a completely new door and frame.
A new door and frame will not withstand a kick-in attack like the Strikemaster II will, so take that into consideration when you look to purchase your new door.
video removedCost for New door and frame =~$600.00 installed
Cost for Strikemaster II =~$165.00 installed
April 27, 2009
Cavity Sliders
Pocket Door Locks With A Key - UPDATE
April 24, 2009
Keyring Scale
April 19, 2009
2009 St Louis Award Winner
Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2008 Award recipients qualified as 2009 Award Winners. I'm sure that your selection as a 2009 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses."
Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the two-time selection of Master Key Systems America, LLC is posted on the USLBA website. USLBA hereby grants Master Key Systems America, LLC a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels."
Yelpie - Portable Safe
Yelpie's advanced motion sensor alarm works to keep your valuables exactly where you left them, while being smart enough to know what's an accidental bump and what's an attempt to steal your belongings.
If a thief attempts to move your Yelpie, a loud 90dB alarm goes off!
The Yelpie is large enough to comfortably fit car and house keys, wallets, MP3 players, mobile phones, sunglasses or other small valuables - but even items too large to be placed inside the Yelpie can be left in public more securely by tying them to the Yelpie: if somebody tries to walk off with your surfboard, the Yelpie alarm will activate!
Perfect for use at the beach, picnics, sporting events, training grounds, swimming pools, gym, school or work lockers, golf course, camping, motor homes, caravans, or when taking the kids for a play in the local park.
How It Works
1. | Put your belongings into Yelpie. |
2. | Close and set the alarm. |
3. | Alarm activates if disturbed for more than 2 seconds. Alarm will automatically cease if Yelpie is put down and left alone again. |
4. | To deactivate the alarm and open the Yelpie portable safe, enter your personal code using the Yelpie's strong and weatherproof keypad. No keys to be lost!. (source...) |
April 13, 2009
What Locks Cannot Be Bumped
In the USA, there are many advertisers who try to portray their products as bump proof or bump resistant.
The truth be told, there are only two (2) 100% guaranteed bump proof locks available today in the USA. Bilock and Abloy.
The new Kwikset Smart Key system is considered almost completely bump proof too, however there are many published bypasses for these locks so be aware before relying on them to secure your homes.
April 12, 2009
Fraudulent Companies Aided by AT&T Yellow Pages
April 11, 2009
Neighborhood Crime Summary - St Louis MO January - March 2009
Crime Statistics - St Louis MO
April 5, 2009
Bilock Deadbolts - Special Ends
Biometric Thumblock
BioAxxis Development Corporation has spent the last 18 months designing, developing and patenting the next revolution in biometric fingerprint door lock technology - the BioAxxis® ThumbLock™. We have reformulated the concept of what a fingerprint lock should look like and simplified access so that the biometric sensor is now located conveniently below the handle - at your thumb.
This fingerprint door lock is one-of-a-kind. The Mona Lisa of biometrics. There is no standalone biometric door lock available on the world market like it in terms of…
- Customizable Access Methods
- Security and Quality Standards
- Versatility and Feature Set
- Regulatory Compliance
- Access Control Capability
- Single family residence
- Townhomes
- Condominiums
- Apartments
- Rental Properties
- Hospitals & Pharmacies
- Universities
- Government & Military Installations
- Manufacturing Facilities
- Law Firms
The AT Upgrade (coming June 2009) will work by downloading audit trail records to a 1GB flash drive. Easy to use Audit Trail software based in MS Access will be included in this package as well.
Missouri Attorney General Says Locksmith Has Gouged Customers
A Florida-based locksmith company has been gouging customers in St. Louis and elsewhere for about a year, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said Friday.
Koster has sued Dependable Locks Inc., and its registered agent, David Peer, of Dunedin, Fla., for seven violations of state law. He is asking a judge to order the company to stop doing business in the state and grant each victim $1,000 per violation.
At a press conference in St. Louis on Friday, Koster said about 30 people have complained to his office about the company, which operates under 16 different names in the phone book and on yellowpages.com.
When customers called the businesses, which they often believed to be local, they were routed to a call center in Florida, Koster said. The call center would quote a price to fix or open a lock, and then dispatch an employee to a vehicle or residence. The promised price was often about $50.
"When they arrive 30 minutes later, they say, 'This looks like a difficult lock and it's going to be at least $150, and we need it tonight in cash,'" Koster said.
The company also listed false addresses with the phone company, according to Koster. At the press conference, he was flanked by pictures of an AT&T office in St. Charles, a St. Louis woman's home and a Captain D's restaurant. All were places the company had given as addresses.
"If a customer wants to go and complain to this business, they can't go and find it," Koster said.
Messages seeking comment from the company were not returned.
Koster also is asking that AT&T disconnect the numbers that Dependable Locks has used and for the phone company to remove all the listings from the Internet.
Given how many names the company has used, Koster believes there are thousands of victims. He urged anyone who thinks they may have been a victim to contact his office (visit ago.mo.gov; or call 1-800-392-8222).
Koster did not know how many employees the company has in the area or how they have been recruited. He said his office is still determining "who we intend to drag into court."
March 27, 2009
Wireless Digital Peephole
The innovative Digital Door Viewer ™ is an electronic video system designed to replace common door viewers and peephole viewing tubes. The Digital Door Viewer ™ delivers on-demand, high quality images, and is totally integrated and self-contained.
- Stand alone function — requires no connection to external power wiring or monitor displays
- Quick and easy to install into new construction or retrofitted to existing door
- Easy operation — press a button and a color video image is displayed on a monitor mounted on the inside of the door
- Provides an expanded field of view from a comfortable viewing distance
March 17, 2009
Black & Decker Wireless Locks UPDATE
March 16, 2009
March 2, 1887: The Birth of Master Lock Co.
By Randy Alfred 03.02.09
1887: Harry Soref is born. The inventor will miniaturize the security of a bank vault into the everyday padlock.
As a young man, Soref earned his living as a traveling locksmith in the United States, Canada and Mexico. During World War I, he invented a special padlock for protecting tanks and other military equipment.
Soref established the Master Key Company to produce skeleton keys, but he had an idea to improve padlocks at no great expense. Most padlocks of the time had cheap metal casings that you could easily bust open with a hammer. Security? Hah!
Building a padlock from thicker steel would be expensive. Instead, Soref applied the design of bank vaults and battleships: Use multiple layers of thin pieces of steel in a laminated construction. In his patent filing, he said: "A great advantage which flows from my invention is that the material employed in the production of the laminations is available to the manufacturer without any cost attached thereto. Such laminations are punched from the small 'scrap' which is created in very large quantities in manufacturing establishments operating punching presses."
Soref tried to interest big hardware companies in the idea, but engineers thought the construction process was too cumbersome. So, with backing from a couple of friends, Soref established the Master Lock Company in 1921 and began building the little devils himself in a small Milwaukee shop — with five employees, a drill press, a grinder and a punch press.
The locks — patented in 1924 — were tough, and the company prospered. Corporate lore says Soref taught Harry Houdini how to hide keys under his tongue and between his fingers.
Milwaukee was famous for its beer, but Prohibition was in force. When the growing firm needed larger quarters, it moved into the shut-down Pabst brewery. Master Lock sent a famous shipment of 147,600 padlocks to federal agents in New York City in 1928, and the irony was not lost on many that speakeasies and distilleries were soon shut down and secured with locks made in a former brewery.
The American Association of Master Locksmiths in 1931 awarded Soref's many achievements with the only gold medal it has ever bestowed.
Soref died in 1957 and never saw Master Lock's famous 1974 SuperBowl commerical. It featured a high-powered rifle shooting a hole through a sturdy Master Lock without opening it.
(source...)
March 3, 2009
Can You Account For All Your Keys?
Duplicates Open House For Criminal
By: Johnny Jenkins Gina is a sales woman at a midsize retail store. She is a very beautiful woman who is comfortable working with all types of people. She makes a good living and enjoys her work very much. She has a nice expensive sports car and a nice home. She usually hires other people to perform maintenance on her home and take care of her car.
Her schedule simply does not allow her to keep pace with the everyday things such as home and car maintenance. She takes very good care of her car. She gets all the vehicles scheduled maintenance and periodic inspections. She usually waits for her car. She gives the mechanic her ring of keys and they return them when they are finished.
She has been going to the same mechanics for years. She trusted them. They were a family business and friends of her family. Unknowing to her they had hired an outsider to do janitorial work. He had just moved into town and convinced the owner the he was in desperate need of work in order to move his family to the area. They were kindhearted people and decided to give him a try.
One day she brought her vehicle into the shop for some routine maintenance. She greeted everyone as she usually does and pitched the mechanic the keys. Then she took a seat in the waiting room. The mechanic took the car in and started the inspection. He left the keys in the car to keep from loosing them as they always did.
The mechanic had to take a bathroom break, so he left the area for a few minutes. That was enough time for the new guy to wander over near the car. He acted like he was getting a hard to reach piece of trash. He reached into the car and made a quick impression of all Ginas keys. He also looked on the invoice and got her address.
When Gina left the mechanic shop, her keys were returned. The next day Gina went to work as she normally does. She was in such a hurry that she forgot to set her house alarm. She had a pretty good day at work. She returned home to find her front door open. She called the police to escort her inside the house. At first everything looked normal, but then she moved to her bedroom.
It was in shambles and her jewelry valued at $500,000 was gone. She was devastated, but also happy that she was not there when they robbed her. She filed a report with the police. They theorized there was no forced entry. Whoever robbed her was already in the house or had a key. That is when it hit her. The mechanics shop was the only place where she was separated from her keys.
She knew everybody there, so who could have done such a thing. She told the police and they went to the shop to investigate. They asked the owner about his employees. He asked if there was anybody he thought would have done this? He said no. Then he asked if they had any new employees. He said, I did but he quit this morning. That is when everything came together. The new guy was guilty. He was long gone and never found.
Always keep your house keys separate from other keys. While it is a little inconvenient, it reduces the risk of inadvertently becoming a victim. It only takes a few minutes for someone to make an impression of your keys. If you loose all your keys and the wrong person finds them, then you could be the target of a crime. If you do loose your keys, have all your locks changed immediately. Always have a self defense strategy in case of emergency.
Or call Master Key Systems America to get keys that cannot be copied.
Home Advisor (formerly Service Magic) Testimonials And Sites That Recommend Us
Testimonials
Patrick Carr (Canberra, Australia)
Who Are We?
Welcome to Locks210.com.
This site is to inform about historical and modern approaches to Keys and Physical Security products and services.
Locks210.com, established in 2006, offers residents and businesses of St Louis Locksmith premium quality products and services. As the Premier Bilock Extreme Security Dealer in The Mid-West,
Our conveniently located workshop and service vehicles are uniquely designed to offer trade qualified, bonded, insured tradespeople with knowledge and experience spanning multiple countries and product lines.