Jake Jakubuwski Presents: Aluminum Stile Door Service and Repair, by Jake Jakubuwski, Copyright 2007, no ISBN, 423 pages 8 1/2" X 11"
This is normally an expensive book. The National Locksmith lists it for $90. However, it is currently listed for download for $9.99 at
http://www.purejake.com/catablog-terms/catablog-term-locksmith/page/7/Jake used to write for the
National Locksmith. He apparently passed on a few years ago but it looks like his family is still selling his books through their web site. The website also has some free downloads that may be of interest, including a set of PDF slides on locksmithing fundamentals
http://www.purejake.com/catablog-terms/catablog-term-free/Contents:
Part 1 - parts and hardware overview
1. Pivots
2. Hinges
3. Locks and latches
4. Exit devices
Part 2 - installation procedures and practices
1. Pivots - Includes a section on pivot deactivators
2. Hinges - He really likes continuous hinges
3. Locks and Latches -- Mainly about Adams-Rite style locks
4. Exit devices
The first part goes over the components. Terminology, how they go together and so on. The second part goes over installation and repair.
The book has two good strengths: first, Jake has a fairly engaging writing style--he can impart a lot of information and make it interesting even to someone like me who does not work on these doors; second, the installation and repair portion is not just a regurgitation of vendor handbooks, rather it is full of beginning to ending projects with a lot of photographs. Some of the projects, of installing hinges, dealing with dead floor closers, etc., are messy. Hardware is corroded, old parts do not want to work, etc. I have the impression he is telling it like it is, and he calmly goes about overcoming those real-world headaches.
In a lot of professions, doing it by the book is 10 - 20% of the job, while getting the job done when things do not go as they are supposed to is what 80 - 90% of the job is really about. It is what a person can pickup beyond that first 10 - 20% that starts them on the way to being a professional. This book goes a ways in that direction, and few locksmithing books do that.
At $9.99 it is a screaming deal for anyone interested in aluminum store front doors.
