Vault Lockout Tip

I got a call recently from one of the local churches in the area. The customer who called claimed that they could not access the vault they had there. Once i got there, I asked the office manager if he had any clue regarding signs that may have preceded to the current vault situation. He mentioned that they were having problems with the lock for a while now. He then led me to the vault location and once I finally got to see it I noticed it was a Diebold vault that was equipped with one of their older locks that considered as manipulation resistant. This was not a very good sign for me especially since as a beginner locksmith, I didn't have much experience working with vaults before. However, the best thing I could do is evaluate the situation and try figuring out myself before calling for help or dismissing the job.

I started by getting a ladder from my van, so i can get to the ceiling in order to remove the tile that was close to the vault. I figured it may lead me to an access to the vault's interior. However, it seem as the top of the vault was fairly solid. The second option I had was finding an access through the wall in which the vault was backed into. The manager's office seem to be right at that location where the wall was dividing between the vault and the office. The walls there seem to have pretty expensive wood panels, so I was reluctant from damaging them to access the vault.

After I went back to the vault to try and figure out a different option, I noticed there was another door next to the vault which I've been told led to the janitor's room. After doing some measurements, I found there was a small section different between the room and the vault. Once I was able to figure out some good spots in the wall, I drilled a hole through the concrete wall and I was actually able to see the emergency handle, but I couldn't get to it yet. After drilling few other holes close in the section, I narrowed an area on the wall to knock down, so I would be able to access the handle. After knocking the block down, I was able to pull on the emergency handle and the vault opened. Luckily, the church staff were OK with the minor damage caused to the wall inside the janitor's room, and I was able to collect the money and get a good review from them.

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Key-Less Entry Lock System

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Nissan Code Tip

There may be few jobs in one's locksmith career that will we frustrating to find solution for. I find that most of these jobs were in the automotive category. Normally, making a key for a vehicle can be a very simple process most of the time. However, there will be times where the ignition, door, or glove box lock would need to be taken apart in order to make a key. It may be time consuming, but most of the time, it will be the only way to get the job done.

I recently got a call from a customer to make a key for a 92 Nissan NX. Thinking I could probably impression the key without any issues, I gracefully accepted the job (which was not too far away from me). Once I got to the job site and started the impressioning process, it seem like things weren't going my way. At the point when I realized I could not impression a key, I turned to the only other option I had which was pulling one of the door lock.

I started taking apart the passenger side door panel in order to remove the door lock. Although it was a gamble, I figured it might be easier to do that in order to get part of the code then taking apart the ignition switch. When I got to the lock and was able to remove it, I noticed there was a code on the tailpiece. There seem to have 5 numbers there, but I knew the last 4 would probably be the "key" to make the key. I've just added an x in front of the 4 digits I pulled out from the lock, and I was able to find code and make the key in no time.

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Merry Christmas!!!

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Glove Box Lock Fix

I got a call the other day from a customer to make a key for a trunk of a 94 Buick Lesabre. Normally the way I and any other experienced locksmith technician would make such key in case there are no existing keys in the customer's possession, I will get some of the cuts from the glove box lock. When I got to the job site and started taking apart the vehicle's glove box lock in order to get last 4 cuts, I accidentally broke the plastic ears that held the cylinder lock  inside its housing. At that moment, I did not know what to do since I knew I didn't have any lock of that type in my service vehicle, but after further inspection, I noticed that on the back of the cylinder lock there was a some sort of a cut that was in fact the base for the retainers's ears.

I did quick measuring on the housing part where I noticed the back of the cylinder was blocked and went on to drill a hole in the housing which would be aligned with the small cut that I found on the plug. The next step i did was screwing a sheet metal screw through the lock housing and into the cut on the back of the cylinder. I got the idea from working on a Mortise type lock where it seem to have the same idea where a set screw is holding the cylinder. Quickly I replaced the glove box back and successfully finished the job.

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Automotive Broken Key Extraction in Boise

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Lexus Lockout Tips

One of the issues I constantly ran into during my years as a locksmith technician servicing a Lexus LS400 is unlocking the trunk in a case where the customer locked the keys inside the trunk. It seem like even after I would unlock the car, the Valet-Lockout cylinder will still be locked. Going to the back of the valet-lockout  will be required  by lowering the bottom part of the driver side dash. On the back of the cylinder there will be a wire clip the slightly wraps around the cylinder. The clip would need to be removed and the plastic retainer would need to be depressed. The cylinder will then pop to the open position

In another situation I ran into, the valet-lockout cylinder will be unlocked, however the trunk would still not open. I found that the reason for such case its because the factory alarm system will shut down some of the operations in which the on-board computer control. Once both doors are closed, the vehicle's alarm system will instantly re-lock them. In order to re-operate the computer again, the alarm would need to be reset. In order to do this, either one of the door panels would need to be removed, following by detecting the wires that go from the cylinder and jump the lead until the alarm will reset. It is important to mention that there is no sign into when the alarm is resetting, so it will be necessary to pay close attention. Once it will reset, the trunk release button will work when activated.
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Residential Lockout Service in Boise

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Extractor Tool Tip

The following is something Iv'e learned during my years of experience in the locksmith field while doing broken key extraction from ignition jobs using a spiral extractor tool. Usually, most technicians will remove the head from the broken key and slide the "improvised" key into the key-way of the lock to the point it will make contact with the other broken piece of the key. In this point the extractor tool will come into the picture sliding it down the milling sticking to the broken piece and then pulling it out of the lock. The upper piece of the broken piece is used as a guide to the extractor tool and at the same time lifting the pins or wafers out of the way so there won't be any interference while extracting the broken piece from the lock.

The trick I came up with is mostly concern keys with larger milling. The large blade of the extractor tool is not large enough for those type of keys usually which will require thinking out of the box in order to extract a broken such key. In such case what needs to be done is putting a small bend about 12' from the end of the extractor tool. At this point, if the tool will be inserted down the key-way of the lock again, the bent tip of it will be enough to get a good grip on the broken piece and pull it out of the ignition cylinder.

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Exit Devices Services in Boise, ID

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Safe Lift Tip

In all my years as a professional locksmith technician while servicing safes, I have found myself dealing and having to move a lot of heavy ones. Breaking these safes away from the floor where most of the time seem like they were seating for years, can sometimes be a difficult task. The hard part is in raising the front of the safe high enough to get blocks under it, so a safe dolly can be used in order to move it. It seem I have found a solution and came up with the perfect tool for the job.

I've used a 4' crowbar with the claw cut off . If an attempt to use the crowbar without cutting of the claw will be made, enough lift could not be achieved in order to insert a proper sized block under the edge of the safe. If  the bar will be cut straight, you can catch your fingers under the end of the bar once you push down on the bar to raise the safe. By leaving a nub on the bar, a protection for your fingers is being created.

When you encounter a safe where getting the lip of the crowbar under it is impossible in order to lift the front, a length of 2x4 lumber can be used standing on its end as a fulcrum and then putting the crowbar under the bottom hinge of the safe. Now the safe can be lifted high enough in order to put a screwdriver or other spacer under the edge of it to hold it in place while the bar is moved down to the floor to lift the safe edge high enough in order to insert a block. Using a 4' foot crowbar this way, with a length of 2x4 as a fulcrum, should give all the lifting power you will need to raise the fronts on most safes you will come across with.

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Automotive Lockout Service in Boise, ID

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GM Mini-Van Access

A problem I'm sure many of you locksmith technicians have encountered on GM mini van regarding the cam on the latch handle of the rear door. The cam is spot welded to a post. Most of the times, the weld would break and leave the cam hanging in the door connected to the linkage, but will not allow the door to be opened. This problem can be determined by pulling on the outside handle. Once the handle is pulled, you will notice there is no resistance and the handle will not spring back into place. The linkage can be accessed which will open the rear door by doing the following method.

The first step would be to bring a 12" Slim Jim by bending about 3/4" of the tip about 30 degrees. Then, about 8" from the tip, the Slim Jim would need to bent 30 degrees to the other direction. Place an arching bend in the Slim Jim about 4". Now, the Slim Jim would need to be marked 11-12" from the tip. That mark gives you the location of the lock paw. Then another mark would need to be made 16" from the tip. This mark will tell you once you will be in the right area to hook the dangling cam and linkage.

At this point, the door would be ready to be opened by inserting the Slim Jim into the door through the drain hole in the bottom of the door. Now grab the linkage, pull down and open the door. Once the door is opened, you would be able to service the latch and cam can through an access panel on the edge of the door. In order to prevent rubbing the paint off the body of the mini van, a tape can be placed below the door and lubricate both the tape and the Slim Jim. Marking the tape at the center of the drain hole would also be a good idea.

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Decorative Locks in Boise, ID

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Core Inspection and Maintenance

Any dignified locksmith technician with many years of experience in the fields with I-cores locks will inspect a core before pinning. A new core may have factory burrs within the chambers. Older cores will have burrs, harmful foreign objects and a good amount of dirt, grime, filth and other forms of "junk" within the chambers. Inspecting each chamber, one at a time separately, the hole should be "flossed". You might clean the chamber using a small shaver brush. You can see how the pins fall into each chamber. If an older cores were misused before, it may turn one of the chambers to not function anymore. If this situation, it will have to be decided if to dispense the core or not.

An I-core should be lubricated only if absolutely necessary. Each lock manufacturer has their own recommendations regarding the lubrication of their products based on the lock type. Some Large cylinder manufacturers use white lithium grease, WD-40, air filter lubricants, flaked graphite, powdered graphite, etc. It is important to remember, never mix dry powdered lubricants with wet spray lubricants. The only lubrication that should be used in an I-core is dry Teflon powder. It is not recommended to use Vaseline, motor oil, canola oil, WD-30, grease, lock-ease, etc. Because these pins are smaller in width and diameter, they would most likely stick. If you wish, use the Teflon powder only sparingly when you pin a chamber or maybe when keys are being tested.

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Mortise Commercial Locks

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Arrow Flexcore System

Through its research and development efforts, Arrow Lock company created a new concept that focuses on interchangeable core key control. Their "Flexcore" line is almost identical to a Best or Falcon core, but includes one additional unique feature. This unique feature is a pin assembly
placed into the rear of the core itself. This pin assembly is constructed of a small cylindrical attachment which covers the rear of the plug. It fits comfortably  over it and includes a slender pin that enters the core via a special hole bored into the cam. The pin runs the length of the key-way and is attached to Arrow's Flexcore System.

The cool thing here is that when the pin assembly is inserted, a standard core key will not be permitted into the key-way. Thus, only the restricted and patented Arrow key with a small milled hole running through the bottom length of the key from tip to bow will be allowed to enter
the key-way. With this,, you can have a temporary or permanent access restrictions. If the pin assembly is removed, the standard Arrow core key will be allowed to enter the key-way and operate the core.

Flexcore system gives the owner or operator the ability to customize their core system to the level of security they desire. Flexcore keys are registered and can only be duplicated under strict factory control by authorized locksmith Flexcore dealers, and by that, proving the extra security of the system.

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Automotive Locksmith Service in Boise

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Tips For the Beginner Locksmith

As you finish all the training and certification to be a professional locksmith technician, I will have to recommend a few things. First, try to doing the first few jobs in the privacy of your own shop, without the present of a customer. This is a good practice since you don't want the customer to think your new on the job without much experience even though you are full of skills and confident to do the job properly.

From my experience, most new Locksmith technicians, or anyone for that matter who is starting in a new field, will have a tendency to become overly excited or frustrated on the first few jobs. Try not to let that happen. Examine the job over carefully and analyze the various possibilities that you can use to complete it in the fastest and professional manner.

There will be always one of does stories to be told about the new locksmith technician who worked and sweated over an hour picking a good pin tumbler lock on the front door of the customer's house only to find the back door was secured by a low priced lock that he easily could have opened in a couple of minutes.

Don't let this happen to you. Examine the job carefully before you begin to work. Remember that there are always at least two ways to do any type of job. The easy way and the hard way. Always do it the way that it is the most professional and clean, which is generally the easiest. Remember, never make the job look extremely easy as the customer may think he could have done it by himself.

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Residential Locksmith Service in Boise

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A Key For Yale Lock

I got a job recently from a locksmith company to have a key made to a lock that the key was missing. Once I arrived and had the chance to examine the lock, I found out that it was a Yale with a GC keyway. Unfortunately, I did not have a blank in my service vehicle for that lock. The job site was pretty far away from any locksmith place where could get the blank, so what I did was taking the plug to my vehicle and tried to fit different key blanks I had into the keyway. I was surprised to find that with a little modification, a Kwikset blank actually seem to fit right in.

The broaching were almost a good fit. Its not the most traditional way to do it, but it got the job done. I did notify the customer that it was a temporary solution, and that next time I'm in the area, I will have the proper blank key to make for the lock. They were actually very understanding and were happy to have a solution for that lock at that time and were willing to wait until I will be in the area again to provide them with an exact fit key. If you are looking for an honest and reliable service in Boise, check out this locksmith company.

Commercial Locksmith Service in Boise

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Schlage Waffer Tumbler Lock Tip

The Schlage wafer tumbler lock is an older model that  have been out of production for many years However, there are still some of them out there most likely. I know a lot of locksmith technicians tend to replace those locks when they run into them when doing a job. When they were popular in the market, I did  a lot of of keying and re-keying of them and I made a set on the side to make the re-key job go much faster. The keys have seven spaces and only one depth. Each space had the same depth. There are left and right cylinders as determined by which Side the tip cut is on, referred to as 10's and 20's which are opposite of each other.

To re-key one of these locks, I had to disassemble the complete lock and take the cylinder out of the outer knob. Once I had the cylinder out of the outside knob, I would slide the #1 key in the cylinder to see if it was a 10 or 20, as soon as I found out which it was I would put that cut on an uncut key blank. Next step, would be to insert that key blank into the cylinder and look for wafers that were sticking up above the shear line. If I saw wafers sticking up in the 3rd, 5th and 6th position for example, I would take the set of keys and use key #3, #5 and #6 and put a cut in those positions. The cuts could be all on one side or some on the other, but wherever I saw a wafer sticking up I would put a cut in that position regardless of which side it was on. As soon as you put a cut in each position where the wafer was sticking up you would have a completed key.
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Automotive Locksmith Service in Boise (208) 946-4162

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Substitute For Kia Sportage Key

A situation I came across a while ago as many other locksmith technicians in the field was finding out there was something new in the market.
A customer drove up to the shop in a brand-new Kia Sportage and needed some copies made of the ignition/door key. After a complete search in our company's inventory, I realized we did not carry it. So like any other professional locksmith technician, I improvised. I found that an Ilco X198/B74 is long enough, and even though the millings allow the blank to pass the keyway, I had to modify the blank.

I rounded the head of the key and cut the blade from the head to the shoulder stop to narrow the blade enough to fit in the ignition. After this was completed, I cut the keys on the modified blank and got the customer on their way. Sometime after, I found out that the new Sportage uses an Ilco X267/KK4 blank.
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We Want To Wish You Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

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Broken GM Glove Box Fix

I got a job from a locksmith company I work with to make a key to the trunk of an older GM vehicle. I was in a hurry that day and as I was taking the glove box lock apart to get the last 4 cuts of the key, I somehow broke the ears that retained the cylinder plug in the housing. That of course meant the cylinder plug would not stay in the lock housing. Looking for a way to solve the problem (I did not have another lock on the truck), I noticed that the back of the plug has a groove cut around it to accept the “ears” of the retainers.

I measured back on the housing where the back of the plug stops, and drilled a hole in the housing in line with the ridge on the plug. I then screwed a sheet-metal screw in the Housing and into the ridge of the plug. It’s the same principle as a set screw holding a mortise cylinder. I put the glove box back together collected my money and went on to the next job.

Automotive Locksmith Services (208) 946-4162

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Progressioning Trick - GM Ignition

When making a key for the trunk or door locks for GM automobiles, there is a method that most of the time will be faster then using the GM progression chart in which some locksmith companies know about.

When progressing a door key from the glove box cut of 3-2-2-3, the possibilities by progression are-First key: 11-31-42-53-55. Second key: 13-33-35. Third key: 22-24-44. However, by using Code Source, you will find when you go to the code series of the vehicle the following possibilities: 11-31-42-53. In other words, you should have a working key with the first progressioned key. This will save time and key blanks as well.

This trick should also work on Ford 8-cut systems when making an ignition key from from the door cylinder cuts. Here is an example for code series 0001X. For door cuts 1-3-2-1-2-1 with a progression chart you have possibilities of the first key being 12-13-23-33. Second key: 22-24-34-35. Third key: 32. With Code Source go to code series 0001X-1706X and find the bitting that matches to door cuts. With door cuts 1-3-2-1-2-1 the possibilities are 12-34. It will work on Ford 10-cut systems.

NorthWest Locksmith Boise (208) 946-4162

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Locksmiths Spokane | NorthWest Locksmith Spokane

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Northwest Locksmith Spokane - Spokane, WA 99205 - (509)592-4717 | ShowMeLocal.com

Northwest Locksmith Spokane - Spokane, WA 99205 - (509)592-4717 | ShowMeLocal.com

NorthWest Locksmith Boise

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Locksmiths Boise | NorthWest Locksmith Boise

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Northwest Locksmith Boise - Boise, ID 83704 - (208)946-4162 | ShowMeLocal.com

Northwest Locksmith Boise - Boise, ID 83704 - (208)946-4162 | ShowMeLocal.com

Independence Day!!!

NorthWest Locksmith Boise wants to wish everyone Happy 4th of July weekend!!!
Keep it safe!! And don't forget....We are operating during this weekend as well! So don't hesitate to give us a call! (208) 946-4162

Locksmith Services in Boise, ID – (208) 946-4162

Locksmith Services in Boise, ID – (208) 946-4162

About NorthWest Locksmith Boise...

NorthWest Locksmith Boise is a locally operated locksmith company that offer mobile locksmith services around the greater Boise metro area in Idaho. The company offer many types of locksmith services such as automotive, residential, and commercial. We also offer emergency locksmith services, so we are available even  before and after business hours, and since we area mobile service, we come to you!!

Our professional technicians are fully trained, licensed, and certified to handle any locking problem you may have. Whether you locked your car keys in the trunk or want a high security lock installed for your business, we can help!!

Some of the services we offer are:

• lockouts
• ignition repair/replacement
• master-key install
• key extraction
• key duplication
• re-key
• and much more!!

Visit us at http://nwlocksmithboise.com/

Or call us (208) 946-4162