Locks have grades. There are good grades of locks and there are bad grades of locks. Without getting into specifics, most locks you find for $10 are not the highest grade of locks, unless you got yourself a really good deal!

Homeowners and business owners should be aware of the repercussions of installing cheap, inexpensive locks on their home or building. These discount locks, break down quickly. I am a locksmith, take my word for it. When they do break, and it is almost inevitable that they will, you are going to end up buying new ones. Because they are so inexpensive and cheap, it would cost more to order replacement parts for them. When purchasing a new lock, hold it in your hand. The $10 lock will feel significantly lighter than a heavy duty lock and there is a reason. Less material ultimately means a cheaper price, however less material ultimately means much easer to break into and much more likely to break down. This is YOUR security, and you have one chance to do it right before it becomes an issue.

People wonder if certain brands are better than others and the answer is ?no? with a few exceptions. Is the place your buying your new locks from, a place that should be selling them? In order to get something that will last and work well for years to come, go to a local locksmith or security provider. It?s what they do, take advantage of their services. I just have to reiterate that this is YOUR security and you get one chance to do it right before it turns into a big problem.

Good, Locks

A True Story About A Very Good Lock

I was headed out for some country photography and stopped by my friends farm to see if he wanted to go along. As I pulled into the yard, I saw him working on his shed. He told me he just put a fifteen dollar lock on his shed to protect the stuff inside. I looked at the lock, yes he did buy a very nice lock. I told him that was a very strong lock, but I could get in his shed in less than thirty seconds with that lock on there. In disbelief he denied my ability to do so, ? then finally said ?okay Sergeant (in reference to my carrier), don?t just tell me, ? you?re the loss prevention expert, show me. I?m telling you to educate me. Go ahead and actually do it.?

I asked if he was sure he wouldn?t get mad if he had to fix something after the demonstration. He insisted it was okay and wanted the demonstration. I went to my truck and came back with just a standard 8 inch side cutters. He saw the tool of my choice and then started shaking his head back and forth in disbelief with a big smile on his face.

I put myself in front of the door and put the tool in place. Then with all the strength in my shoulders and arms, I squeezed. Within five or six seconds a sharp loud crack was heard through the yard. I stepped away from the door as his new lock fell to the grass. As the shed doors started to swing open I said ?well lets see, if I were a criminal I guess I?d have two riding mowers, two push mowers and some weed eater machines.?

My friends jaw was hanging down on the ground as he looked down at his lock laying in the grass. It wasn?t securing his door anymore. It laid there on the ground, still brand new, still a very good lock, ? and untouched by me or my tool of choice. That?s right, untouched.

It wasn?t the lock I defeated, it was the cheap and cheesy hasp he put it on.

I told him to jump in the truck and I?ll take him to a store where we can buy a hasp that will be a match for his new lock.

He just stood there for a few seconds and then said in sincerity ?okay, but take another look at my shed. After we replace the hasp, ? is there any other way to get in.? I looked at him saying ?I don?t have to look again, ? I know there is another way in.

Do you want me to get my cordless and show you??

He got a surprised look and said ?how can you get in with a cordless??

I pushed the doors shut and showed him this is a old wooden shed with old school barn type hinges. (he nodded as I had his full attention) I went on to show him in the old days this is all you needed, but not now days.

These hinges were held on with large Phillips screws that face the outside. He understood and asked how to stop that from happening. I told him that while we?re getting the new hasp, ? we can also replace these phillips screws with carriage bolts that can?t be unscrewed from the outside.

My friend was all for this. He yelled to his wife who was playing with the kids to watch things because we?re going to the store.

If you really value something make sure it?s secured correctly.

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No business is immune to crimes like break-and-enters.

Best, Commercial, Crime, Deterrent, Good, Locks, Neighbors, Property, Strong

I want to find a reputable locksmith Cincinnati service provider, but I am new to this area so I don’t know where to look, any suggestions?

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Countless accessories are manufactured for bicycles and bicycle riders. When thinking about such products we often think of helmets, lights, water bottles, specialized clothing, speedometers, and racks. One important accessory your bike should never be without is a good locking system. Just because you live in a relatively safe neighborhood doesn’t mean you have no need for a lock.

Bicycle theft is a growing crime throughout the United States, and it doesn’t matter where you live. Bicycles are relatively easy to steal and easy to sell or get rid of. They’re an easy target for dedicated criminals, opportunists, and bored teenagers. Unless you never intend to leave your bike untended, you should invest in some sort of locking system. Even if you’re just leaving it outside a convenience store for a couple minutes so you can go inside real quick, that’s all the time a thief needs to make off with your ride. Don’t think that thieves won’t steal a cheap bike, either. They’ll take whatever they can get their hands on, whether it’s a rusted old girl’s bike with faded streams dangling from the handlebar grips and a torn-up banana seat or a sleek high-dollar professional mountain bike with full front and rear suspension.

There are basically two options when it comes to locking systems for bikes. The most popular is the chain or cable lock with either a separate padlock or combination lock or with the lock integrated into the chain or cable. If this is the type of lock you’re looking into, make sure that it’s long enough to wrap around both wheels and the frame. With this style of locking system, the best choice is a chain that’s as thick as you can comfortably carry.

If you’d prefer a cable lock, again, make sure you purchase the thickest one possible. The thicker the chain or cable, the more of a deterrent it’ll be for thieves and scoundrels. The downside, of course, is weight. Cables tend to be lighter than chains, but they also tend to be easier to cut. You have to consider the importance of weight relative to your bicycling activity.

An avid racer is extremely concerned with weight, but such a competitor isn’t going to be leaving his/her bike just lying around, either. In all likelihood, weight is not a serious issue to you. One advantage chain/cable locks have over other varieties of locks is their ability to encompass oddly shaped shaped objects such as trees, bushes, etc.

The other popular bicycle locking system is the U-lock. As the name implies, such locks have a big bend in them and are essentially big padlocks. Some are only big enough to go around the back wheel and the bike rack. Others are big enough to go around the frame as well. These sorts of locks are nice because they’re quick to employ and come with clips to hook onto the bike frame without scratching it.

Whatever kind of bike riding you intend to do, unless it’s solely competitive racing, you should invest in a good bike lock. You should get the heaviest one you can. An important feature to look for is some sort of guarantee by the manufacturer. Good locks come with assurances that if used correctly, and your bike is stolen, the manufacturer will reimburse you for the cost of your bike.

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Are locks such as Schlage Primus, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock available retail? Or must I contact a locksmith & pay them to install? I live in Dallas, Tx.

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I lost key to my car, is there a locksmith in Houston who has reasonable rates for car key replacement?

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Locksmith services bear some similarities with the emergency services. Their assistance is often required unexpectedly. For that reason, if you live in the Berkeley area, it is a good idea to have the name and contact details of a Berkeley locksmith close at hand. That way, when you are locked out of your house of your car, or have experienced a break-in and urgently need someone to change the locks, you?ll know who to contact. Doing a little research about local locksmith services will save you time, grief, and possibly even money. Once you locate a Berkeley locksmith that you trust, you should hold on to the individual or firm?s contact details in case you need lock-related assistance again.

Here is brief guide to choosing a good local locksmith:

Other than using the main Internet search engines by typing ?Berkeley locksmith,? you might also consider getting some local advice. Therefore, ask neighbors and friends for local locksmith recommendations. Another great source of advice about locksmith services in your area is your local hardware store. Here you might well find that you can get advice about local locksmith services from someone who has an appreciation of the technical aspects of the trade.

Your local locksmith needs
Before picking up the phone, it might be a good exercise to sit down with pen and paper and consider all of your current and potential locksmith needs. Think about your property: Do you need new locks fitted? Are you a forgetful type who always loses keys? Think also about the possibility of having your locks re-keyed so that they can be opened with a single key. If you have a business premises, consider whether a security upgrade is needed. In short, make a comprehensive list of all the scenarios that will require the services of a Berkeley locksmith.

Locksmith Availability and Call-Out Time
Although many of the services provided by local locksmiths are scheduled jobs, those unfortunate eventualities, such as being locked out of your home of car, require a rapid response much like that provided by the emergency services. Therefore, locate a Berkeley locksmith that offers a 24-hour-a-day callout service, with some kind of guarantee regarding the response time. You don?t want to be waiting for hours to gain entry to your car when you are in a hurry to get to a meeting.

Locksmith Skills and Qualifications
Create a shortlist of local locksmith services. Now, look for evidence of qualifications, and membership with professional associations. A good local locksmith will readily reveal these details either in person or on a company website. It?s in their interest as well as yours.

Final Thoughts on Hiring a Local Locksmith
Make sure you always carry the cell phone number of your local locksmith. You never know when it will come in handy. Finally, if you have found a Berkeley locksmith that has done good work for you, why not recommend him to your neighbors?

Berkeley, Find, Good, Locksmith

I have to use several combination locks and I have often forgotten the combinations. Storing the numbers nearby is really not an option and of course writing the number on the back would be ridiculously pointless. Anyone have any good suggestions?

Anyone, Combination, Good, Locks, Remembering, System

The past few days my 1999 Dodge Caravan’s electric door locks have acted possessed. They’ve been locking and unlocking by themselves. For the short term I removed the fuse that controls the electric locks. Unfortunately my A/C now doesn’t work, the blinkers don’t work, and the ABS and Air Bag dummy lights are on. Where can I find information on how to get into the door panel and look for the wire that powers the actuators controlling the doors. (I’m assuming that disconnecting the wire in the driver’s door will cut power to the other doors as well.) That way I can put the fuse back and get all my other car components working again. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dissconnect, Door, Electric, Good, Locks