Falcon 25 exit device

[1mrchristopher]

Had a customer ask me to make it so that two exit devices that were fitted with locking/unlocking levers, could not be left unlocked (from the outside). I think that I could accomplish this by using longer screws and stacking cams so that one faces up and one faces down. That way the key could only be turned 180 degrees, and the act of turning it back would lock the lever again. Whatcha think?

[Raymond]

I do not know the Falcon 26 design so does it use a standard mortise cylinder? If so you could attach a spring to the locking bar. The cam can unlock by moving the locking bar and compressing the spring. As soon as the key is returned to removal position the spring will have relocked the locking bar.

Or a modified cam can have two prongs. One will unlock and when the key is returned, the other will relock.

This is the same idea as the CalRoyal cam I was looking for. See my post in the buy/sell area.

[1mrchristopher]

Raymond,

It was supplied with Schlage cylinders, bearing Schlage 9070 cams. When I installed my cylinders, I used a yale cam, because it was the same length, and functioned properly. I am not certain that the calroyal cam, being a good deal shorter, will reach the bar.

[1mrchristopher]

Upon further musing, I'm thinking that the best cam would like like this: As I cannot find anybody making such a beast, I believe that I am going to have a friend 3D print one in PLA for proof of concept, and if that works, then try cutting one out of aluminum. I'm of course open to better ideas, just trying to keep them from having to buy different trim.

[Raymond]

I just installed my 2-prong cam today on a Medeco cylinder. It works great. I cut the new angled offset holes with a dremel after super gluing a regular Medeco cam on top of the new one. It made a perfect pattern.

Do you happen to have a picture of the inside of the Falcon? Just curious.

If you are going to make your own cam you can adjust the angles of the cam arms to reduce how much the user must rotate the key to unlock. The relock should be complete at exactly the point where the key can be removed.

Good luck.

[hag3l3]

If this is exit bar is a main exit,
Are you making it so ONLY the exterior acts as a storeroom function? Yet there is still egress from the interior as well ? If one would be unable to exit, wouldn't that be a life safety issue?
Just wondering. ..

[1mrchristopher]

Storeroom from the outside only, correct. You will always be able to get out, just don't want the possibility of the door being left unlocked.

[2octops]

Don't rig it.

Sell and install the correct trim or else you will be married to it forever since you were the one that experimented on it.

[1mrchristopher]

I didn't sell or install the original trim, so I would have the company that did order it in.

[Raymond]

If you make any permanent adaptations to the exit trim, yes, you will own it for the rest of its life. But, installing a custom made cam is locksmithing at its purest. Go for it.

[1mrchristopher]

Finally finished up this job, and took pictures for all of you while I was at it.

First, how the cylinder and cam were installed by the door installers:


Second, my modified cam, check fitted to an uninstalled cylinder:


Third, both cams installed with Major Mfg. LS-7 double cam screws:


Fourth, key in cylinder, trim unlocked:


And finally, key in cylinder, trim locked again:


I couldn't be happier with how this turned out. The customer got exactly what they wanted, and didn't have to spend a fortune for it. I made this modification for 4 doors, and it took me very little time.

[GWiens2001]

Very nice, 1mrchristopher. Thank you for updating the thread to show what worked.

Gordon

[Raymond]

Ditto. Thanks for telling the rest of the story. Looks great, is reversible, nothing is permanently changed and it works just the way it should.

[billdeserthills]

That is Cool 1mrchristopher, locksmithing at it's finest