Locks in general

 In times when everything is trying to turn hi-tech and work from home, Locksmithing industry has been and had been tested through out and is one of the fields that stands the test of time if properly studied.    Though somewhat less popular and sensitive field, those of us who still hold the Locksmith oath at heart and not only on paper ought to have a space to share skills and keep the field alive as well as make use of technology to make site work and experience less of a sweat on the brow. Of my interest is the use of non powered tools by apprentices  so as to prepare them for a site that does not have power or in cases of load shedding of some sort while halfway doing a job. reminds me of days I learned to duplicate using a hacksaw blade or a file and a vice grip:) Open night latch using a old plastic container of  oil or milk bottle. Yes AI is here but it will take a while for the world to turn everyone into a smartphone mule, of course all Chinese and Ame...

  Any Grand Master Locksmiths out there?  Anyone wish to be one? If so please connect. info@keyaccesstech.co.za

The beauty of locksmith learnt tricks and any trade for that matter is that they are timeless. Years down the line all notes on my blog still are of use

As the year carries on, new projects, old problems and same physical security challenges. One of the fields I have a passion for is redesigning the padlock and redesigning the Cylinder or Barrel. I am going to try and focus on  the simplest but strong padlock latching point. Secondly the way a key interacts with the barrel, springs and pins. Any hint, viewpoint or suggestion most welcome. Sketches also best way to explain or make a point. 

Applications  of the locksmith trade is so vast that it can become handy in a lot of industries. For instance I have used it in the field when I was running Operations department for a property acquisition firm, it was the access to a wide range range of problem solving in many a technical jipo Locksmithing came in handy when I joined a firm that rebuilds and work on ATM machines. It made me qualify for positions like building maintenance and management  

Greatings to all who made it past 2011 trials. Hope the info on the blog helps out since it is timeless.

For a lock to function properly you need to make sure that you also look after it properly. A lot of people do the mistake of pouring all sorts of oils into locks to try and make the mechanism smooth, but what actually ends up happening is that the lock works for a few days then the oil starts to to dry, and when oil dries it dries and gather dust at the same time. springs and levers start to stick and lock jamming is inevitable. Next issue will give tips of what to do.

Who said time is only counted in days or years. Seeems like its beeen two days since I last wrote on the blog but the date on my last post and now will prove against me. Well I got a new concept lets count time in periods instead. That should work in everyones favour. Hope you still trading fairly. Reminder to every locksmith is always do the best you can to make sure you provide the best way to secure anyone you provide services to and no short cut since their security lies in a bunch of keys

Hope 2011 is going well since we just finished the first of the month and everyone is back at work as usual.Hard work always pay out at last. The offer still stands if you have any questions about keys or locks or physical security here you will get answers so you can be better informed when problem solving Best wishes.

Best Wishes for the new year that just begun. May everyone get what they wish for and mostly peace in the world.

Seasons greetings to all. May the new year bring better humanity into everyone.

Well since the topic says Locks in general that means any industry involved with locks and keys will have to be discussed. One thing that gets to a technician or a key cutter is not getting the right key blank to either duplicate or worse cut a key from lock without a sample. Well I understand there are high security keys that have to have blanks taken stock of but I am talking of a normal standard mortise, tumbler or padlock. It makes me feel bad having to tell a customer to buy a new lock just because I can’t duplicate his key, in a few instances it does sound like you want to reap off the guy but you will be trying to help. So as for Lock manufacturers it is actually wiser to manufacture extra key blanks for locks before the Locks are put on the shop display or even better before delivering to the Locksmith Suppliers warehouse, because lets face it, keys do get lost or in many instances you need spare keys especially for main entrance doors.

Part 2 When fitting a lock make sure that none of the mounting screws are too long. If they, are it causes the mechanism of the lock to be stiff. It also causes the spring of the handle to jam and you end up with a handle that stays down when you open the door and limits the life span of the lock When you close a door you must be able to do it just by pushing the door without turning the handle, if not, then either the wind latch is facing the wrong direction or the bracket on the frame needs to be set at an angle that allow the wind latch to slide in smoothly If a lock is properly fitted then you won’t be able to open the door just by pushing without turning down the handle. If the door opens by pushing without turning the handle then the wind latch is facing the wrong side. Only fit reputable and strong locks or locks that you worked on before. Its not advisable to fit locks that customers provide because most people without knowledge of locks will buy a lock for its appear...

When testing if the lock you just fitted is working well always test lock with door in open position, this applies also to new locks When cutting a key from lock, always work your way from the tip of the blank going backwards this eliminates the problem of having the key you are working with getting stuck in the lock. When cutting a key from lock always leave the cuts slightly high then gently force the cylinder to turn in the barrel, take out key and check for marks on the blank or the pin then you fine tune the key Never file the pins or slides only the key blank is to be filled When fitting a lock makes sure that the latch and locking bolts are not visible from outside of the room. A gap between the door and the frame is the focal point of security. A big gap makes it easy to insert a craw bar and break the lock, this is the most common way intruders use to break through the lock bolts because the depth of locking latch is reduced

When buying a lock first consider the purpose of installing a lock. Sound s easy but wait, who you want to keep out - kids, adults, intruders, employees etc. or you just want something to hold the door shut. Always remember most locks are only good as a gadget to show that forced entry had been applied on the door because if you haven’t got the right key then you are meant to damage part or all of the lock mechanism including door and frame Second reason for locks is to delay the time taken by an intruder to gain access and to alarm of someone forcing entry. Only personalized and high security, including expert installation will provide 100% locking out of intruders forcing the door open. With this considered it will help you decide the level of security lock you need. Secondly consider the frequency of opening and closing of the door. The length of period you want the lock to operate in good order Sensitivity of security in the area, building Position of the lock in respect o...

So this week I was faced with cutting a key from lock without a sample, what made it interesting is that I had never worked on this type of a vehicle. Faced with a lock you have never worked on before is not as challenging as it sounds because as long as you know the basics of how a lock works then you will be able to work on any lock. All you need to do is get the barrel in your hands and you done. Every barrel is held by a pin that you either drill out or that has got a spring. Most barrels that are held by a spring usually need to pick the barrel to a certain position before the pin can be depressed.

When you have lost all keys for a lock you don’t always have to replace the lock, With the right locksmith and a old lock in good condition you can have a key cut from the old lock without sample. The advantage of cutting a key from the lock saves time and is cost effective. Less hassle when installing lock back for it will be a perfect fit and no need to alter lock hole on door. If the door is open and you don’t have the keys, you can remove the lock go to the locksmith with it, leave it there for a few hours then pick it up and fit it back, it costs u less. Well if you can’t do it then there is always someone a stone throw away like the gardener, all you need is someone who can tell a flat screw driver from a star, or else the locksmith is waiting with an invoice book Always remember though the golden rule of testing a lock after fitting it - ALWAYS TEST THE LOCK WITH THE DOOR OPEN-, just in case you became a bit macho and over tighten the screws and the lock jams You ca...

Keeping a big bunch of keys with your car key is one of the common mistakes people do. Now what happens is the weight of the keys that are dangling destabilizes levers and springs in the lock and then you end up with an ignition that can be switched on by your childhood teaspoon. Got a buddy who used not to take care of his keys and then one day he came out from work to find his buddies dancing to the radio with his car engine on but lol there wasn’t even a key in the ignition they had turned it on with a coin

Putting oil into a lock to try and make the key slide smoothly- this does help but for a maximum of about a week if you very lucky, but then why try and be lucky when you can prevent a problem. When you put oil into a lock, yes the key slides smoothly for a few days, but then during that period the oil starts to dry then dust starts to collect in the lock. Few more days the dust starts to bond with oil and then it makes a paste that sticks springs and levers inside the lock. Then the past starts to haunt you because to get the oil out you have to strip the lock and then wash with a degreaser put it together then refit, hopefully the door will be open when you realize the sticky levers and springs or else you have to call a locksmith and the poor guy will struggle to open the lock then with a smile give you a bill that leaves you wondering why you ever put oil in the lock.