A few utility questions.

[hjlocks]

Hi Guys,

I've run into a few problems recently that I wanted to run by the forum.

Problem 1: While on a job installing deadbolts on a house a few weeks ago, a bee flew through the door and caused a bit of chaos for about 10 minutes. I tried using some plastic sheeting on a similar job a week later, but all that seemed to do was get in everyone's way. Do any of you guys have a method of keeping the elements out when working on an entry door? Screen/storm doors aren't overly common on newer homes around here.

Problem 2: Does anyone know of a tool that will actually remove the c clips on Schlage locks with less work than two flat heads? Everything I've purchased that claims to work seems to be too small to actually do anything. (Suggestions on fabricating something would also be welcome)

[YouLuckyFox]

@ Problem 2: Cledry told men you can just use your pinning tweezers. Though I have the clip removal tool that comes on the kwikset tool, I always use the tweezer method from now on.

[YouLuckyFox]

*me

[Raymond]

#2: Ditto on using the pinning tweezers. Works very well on Kwiksets also.
On clips that are round, instead of flat on the inside like Kwikset, I put pressure on one end (usually with my finger) and rotate the other end around with the tip of a flatblade screwdriver.

[2octops]

Problem 1 - Reschedule if it's raining. It's not my job to keep flying insects out of someones home or business if my job requires me to leave a 6'-8"x36" hole in their wall for a limited time. Same goes for letting the cold air out or the hot air in.

Problem 2 - I just use a small pair of pliers and push both sides at the same time. No reason for a special tool.

[billdeserthills]

#1 I worry more about things inside getting outside, but if you are destined to have the makings of a
bad day, it's gonna happen & I don't think much will stop that, excepting divine intervention


#2 I usually grab for my kwikset cylinder removal tool, if that doesn't work, a strong pin tumbler
tweezer works well


#3 You can make a clip-removal tool from a flat piece of steel with a square cut-out that is the
same width as the schlage cylinder (about .495) or if you already have such a tool it prolly needs
a little filing, to make it wider

[dmcintyre86]

Ditto with what was said before me

As for the clips. I've taken a few pieces of scrap steel and used a bench grinder to form a shape and sized end that works for the different clips i encounter...wrap it in some rubber or slide a screwdriver grip over it and it works pretty well!

nothing compares to the pinning tweaser sometimes though.

[victorylocksmith]

this wont come up much but when it does it really sucks if you dont have snap ring pliers with the little sharp nubs sticking out. in the case of weiser lock or was it weslock, the knobset's keyway must be turned in order for the cylinder to be rekeyed. if you dont possess snap ring pliers there really isnt any easy way to grip the ring hard enough to remove it with ease.

however, i have found a way to somewhat make it at least plausible to rekey these locks without snap ring pliers. in this circumtance, you still need to have at least two regular pliers or vice grips. so what i usually do is i file away at the base of the lock right bellow where the retaining ring is. after filing for a little bit, there is more space available to grip the end of the retaining ring. I then grip each end with different pliers while the lock is situated on the floor, with the keyway facing down. you then gently pry the ring apart little by little while lifting up and soon enough the ring just falls off. this prevents losing the ring easily by prying it any other way and avoids warping the ring too much. putting it back on just requires the same steps on opposite although, as long as you can get it partially on, you can usually pry it back on with ease.

as for filing the actual lock in order to get a better grip, well, people can say it damages the lock but honestly it really doesnt. besides, the lock is so crappy that, most of the housing unit that contains the cylinder is made of plastic anyways. they way i see it is, you cant really damage something that is already that crappy already.

[billdeserthills]

Ill tell ya what works, but I better not hear that it's advanced info cause it's annoying.
Take your shrum tool (from ESP) or your icepick, and poke it through one of the holes. After some practice you'll be doing it without even stabbing yourself, whee! Put the icepick so it is pushing the clip to the off position, in one hole & give it a pry. You might bend the tru arc clip, so give it a squeeze (if ya bent it) with your pliers or vice grips before re-mounting the clip.

[victorylocksmith]

man i need to get on the equipment wagon, i dont even have an icepick tool, i only recently got some shrum like picks

[KPick]

Bugs? They are just bugs bro. Trust me, there are worse problems than small little tiny bugs.

Secondly, you can use a pair of small needle nose pliers to get the C clips off. Works like a charm for me.

[billdeserthills]

man i need to get on the equipment wagon, i dont even have an icepick tool, i only recently got some shrum like picks

I like the "old hickory" icepicks, if you look around they get as low as 85 cents
I just put my shrum pick in one hole, underneath the clip and give a little pull & a twist. If you practice you can pull them without deformation, otherwise get a pliers

[2octops]

I agree on the ice picks as being one of the most invaluable tools that I own.

Oddly enough, I usually buy them at the grocery store. Big heavy wooden handles and good metal for under a dollar each.

[cledry]

Best ice picks I have ever owned were sold by a local locksmith. They were called Green Apple Picks and came as a set of three. Everyone who has used them is amazed at the steel used. I've had mine for @ 25 years.

[hjlocks]

Bugs? They are just bugs bro. Trust me, there are worse problems than small little tiny bugs.

A fly is just a bug. A bee can be fairly terrifying when the owner of said home is allergic to bee stings.