day in the life of a locksmith

[shutterstuff]

Thanks guys.

I also find my self trying to see the titles on your books...

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Thanks guys.

I also find my self trying to see the titles on your books...

Here ya go:

[jeffmoss26]

I've been meaning to buy that Core book from BBE.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

I've been meaning to buy that Core book from BBE.

It's incredible. Probably the most technical book I've ever seen, this industry or not. I refer to it often.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

The stuff you run into sometimes is incredible:



And, believe it or not, that is the handy work of one the largest locksmith companies in Atlanta, not a scammer.

Anyways, did a few small jobs today but I did get to throw on one continuous hinge on a door with a broken hinge bracket. Select is becoming my favorite door hardware brand. Too bad they only do hinges.



Trident installs start tomorrow! Pictures to follow!

[billdeserthills]

I haven't been too busy lately, but I had one short & interesting job the other day. A client closed the door on his bathroom, and the kwikset passage latch
separated, that is the tongue slipped away from the retractor, the part that normally pulls the tongue in, when the lever is depressed. The client was one a
them 'do it yourselfers', so when I arrived he had already removed the outside lever and had done a number on the end of the spindle while trying to unlock
the door--Unfortunately the door wasn't locked at all, the latch tongue simply would not retract. I used a sheet of plastic and loided the latch, which took a
bit of trying, as the door/frame was very tight. Eventually I popped the door open, replaced the latch and went on my way

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Some pictures:







I was especially proud of making the bolts work. They pulled a fast one on us and installed weatherstripping in the form of these aluminum brackets that mounted right on the soffit. Of course, the hole I had to drill was right where the edge of the weatherstripping ended and the soffit picked back up. Did make it work and landed almost perfectly. I was a happy camper:





We got 2 done in about 4.5 hours. The first one, always the longest, was a bit of learning and refining our technique to deal with the set up (weatherstripping and other minor details). Of course, that time doesn't include installing the alarm module. We're going to do those last to avoid mishaps with contractors running into the wires or boxes with equipment, etc.

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Finally done with the Trident installs. 18 doors with alarm modules in 4.5 days. Towards the end we were kicking. We did 4 in about 6 hours yesterday, 5 in about 5 hours today. The boxes were the biggest time hogs - 45 minutes to an hour a majority of them had to be installed in ways that weren't flat against an adjacent wall. There are a lot of nuances that I think should be added to their installation instructions to make things smoother and quicker - I'll be writing an article in Keynotes about that.

I think I can pull off a fresh install with an alarm module by myself in about 2-2.5 hours now.

Hopefully a slow day tomorrow before the fun starts again. A few pair of custom Eliason doors are being installed up the road at an arena, hopefully next week.

[cledry]

The stuff you run into sometimes is incredible:



And, believe it or not, that is the handy work of one the largest locksmith companies in Atlanta, not a scammer.

Anyways, did a few small jobs today but I did get to throw on one continuous hinge on a door with a broken hinge bracket. Select is becoming my favorite door hardware brand. Too bad they only do hinges.



Trident installs start tomorrow! Pictures to follow!

Is the hinge over the top of the dead pin? I've tried Select and Roton and not a lot between them.

[cledry]

Finally done with the Trident installs. 18 doors with alarm modules in 4.5 days. Towards the end we were kicking. We did 4 in about 6 hours yesterday, 5 in about 5 hours today. The boxes were the biggest time hogs - 45 minutes to an hour a majority of them had to be installed in ways that weren't flat against an adjacent wall. There are a lot of nuances that I think should be added to their installation instructions to make things smoother and quicker - I'll be writing an article in Keynotes about that.

I think I can pull off a fresh install with an alarm module by myself in about 2-2.5 hours now.

Hopefully a slow day tomorrow before the fun starts again. A few pair of custom Eliason doors are being installed up the road at an arena, hopefully next week.

We are about 90 minutes per with 2 guys, but we are doing retrofits on some crappy doors and having to relocate 2 alarm contacts.

[cledry]

Some pictures:







I was especially proud of making the bolts work. They pulled a fast one on us and installed weatherstripping in the form of these aluminum brackets that mounted right on the soffit. Of course, the hole I had to drill was right where the edge of the weatherstripping ended and the soffit picked back up. Did make it work and landed almost perfectly. I was a happy camper:





We got 2 done in about 4.5 hours. The first one, always the longest, was a bit of learning and refining our technique to deal with the set up (weatherstripping and other minor details). Of course, that time doesn't include installing the alarm module. We're going to do those last to avoid mishaps with contractors running into the wires or boxes with equipment, etc.

Nice quality work. I've never had one with that little pull handle. Is it mounted to the top tube over the cable or to the actual door? Do you have a PN?

[jeffmoss26]

Great work!!

[Tyler J. Thomas]

Cledry,

I don't know of the part number - it comes standard now (at least with the TEL-110's). It mounts to the tube/channel/cover with 2 sheet metal screws. Actually instructs you to install it AFTER the tube/channel/cover has been installed so if you aren't careful you can nick that wire when drilling.

And I'm not sure what you mean by dead pin? I believe Roton and Hager both sell their continuous hinge covers to be secured in place with a set screw. My experience with Hager's heavy duty models is that it's an act of congress to get those things to snap in place (especially when you tighten the through bolts with impact drivers). The Select's can be done with a very soft blow from your fist.

Also, I went ahead and bought the Lockmasters kit. My friend does safe deposit work a lot and says he uses a modified spade bit to open them. I haven't touched them in almost 5 years (and even then I was just rekeying them and originating/duplicating keys - never opening) so I might as well be back to square one. I did get a call to open one today but the renter had his keys and I was able to open it - the lock was loose on the door. Simple fix and maybe I shouldn't complain but I was really hoping to use the kit. I do have a call tomorrow to do the same thing so maybe I'll get to use it then.

Jeff,

Thanks! After reading the above maybe you understand why you got the email that you got!

[cledry]

I have one question. On the Trident did you move the install toward the hinge to compensate for the aluminum of the weatherstrip? If you did you have to space the strike out otherwise you can often push the bar enough to get out without the bolts locking in the retracted position and then the door slams shut with the bolts extended. I always test to make sure the door cannot open before the detent locks the bolts in the retracted position.

[cledry]

Dead pin is the inactive pin on the hinge side of the door.