Locksmithing Etc. August 2011

Gates, Fencing and Related Products

TS Distributors offers a variety of fencing including fabricated walk (42” wide) and drive gates (6’ wide single and double) in four-, five- and six-foot heights. They also sell gate operators and other components including specialty locks, lock parts and weldable lock boxes. The Swing Gate Operator section of Access Control lists a number of the Belgium made Locinox locks and parts.

For more information, contact TS Distributors, 4404 Windfern Road, Houston, TX 77041. Telephone: 800-392-3655. Web Site: www.tsdistributors.com.

Pak-A-Punch Quick Change Kits

A1 Security Manufacturing has introduced six Quick Change Kits for the Pak-A-Punch handheld key originating machine. Listed are part numbers for the kits, followed by application, code series and A1 key blank.

PAK-KA7, Kawasaki, A111111-A444444, KW14R
PAK-KA7, Kawasaki, B8001-B9000, KW15BP
PAK-KA7, Kawasaki, 8001-9000, KW14
PAK-HY9, Hyundai , V0001-V1200, HY16-P
PAK-KA4, Kia, WD1001-WD3500, HY16-P
PAK-HY10, Hyundai, T0001-T2500, HY17-P

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or A1 Security Mfg. Telephone: 877-725-2121. Web Site: www.demanda1.com.

Please Help

We receive many telephone calls from locksmiths looking for key blank information. A recent telephone call was from a locksmith looking for a key blank number for a General Moped. I do not know of substitute key blank.

To help locksmiths, we are starting a list of substitute key blanks for imported locks using unknown keys. Most overseas lock manufacturers usually copy some known key blank when they develop product. Unfortunately, without having a sample product there is no way of finding a substitute key blank number. If you discover any substitutes, please let us know the name of the original product, any name or number on the key and what key blank can be used to operate the lock.

I will publish this information in this column as we receive it.

Baldwin Hardware Manufacturing Moving

Baldwin Hardware the high-end lock hardware manufacturer was founded in 1946. Masco Corporation bought Baldwin in 1982, who then sold the company to Stanley Black & Decker in 2003. The company’s manufacturing is moving to Mexico by the end of 2012. However, the customer/consumer services will remain in the U.S., according to news sources.

Emergency Keys

For vehicles equipped with keyless entry and keyless start, an emergency mechanical lock and key are required to gain access if the battery is dead. Most emergency keys are just standard key blades with a formfitting bow that operates the emergency lock. A few of the emergency keys have also been equipped with a transponder chip. For example, some of the earlier Nissan and Infiniti models have been equipped with a transponder chip.

The Cadillac XLR and the CTS coupe, new for 2011, have a modified emergency key. These vehicles use the G0001-G3631 code series having five depths of cut (1-5). However, because the emergency key is not as wide as the original, it can only accommodate four depths of cut, two through five.

The width of a standard G0001-G3631 code series key blank is .327” (.1635” for each side). The Cadillac emergency key has a width of .288” (.144” for each side). A number two depth of cut leaves .306” of width on the blade, .286” if cut on each side. This is more than enough for the emergency key to have a number two depth. A number three depth of cut leaves .265” of width on the blade. A number four depth of cut leaves .245”, and a five depth leaves .224”.

When duplicating these keys, make sure the alignment (retaining) method is the same for the pattern key as well as the key blank. When originating a key, unless the key machine manufacturer has special instructions, placing the emergency key blank at the bottom of the vise jaw will result in a mis-cut key.

As an alternative, you can originate a key using a number three cut for a two depth of cut. A number four cut for a three depth of cut. A number five cut for a four depth of cut. To originate a number five depth of cut, a new depth of .224” must be added to the code machine.

Arrow Value Line Mortise Cylinder

Arrow Lock has introduced their Value line brass body mortise cylinder, a non-logo front satin chrome (US26D) plated finish that is 1-18” long. This mortise cylinder includes a two-screwhole straight cam and a ring collar with spring. The Value line mortise cylinder comes with an “A” keyway and two keys. The Value line mortise cylinder part number is MC61P-001-SC.26D. For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Arrow Lock, Web Site www.arrowlock.com.

Ilco Key Blanks

Ilco has introduced some commercial, automotive and utility key blanks. I will list the automotive key blanks first. Remember, if the key blank is equipped with a transponder, the Ilco number ending will be PT. They are listed in the two accompanying Ilco charts.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Kaba Ilco Corp., 400 Jeffreys Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Telephone: 800-334-1381. Web Site: www.kaba-ilco.com.

Car-Opening Techniques: 2006- up Audi A3

This month we will offer recommended car-opening techniques for the 2006- up Audi A3, a four-door hatchback. The door locking mechanism is electronic; there is no mechanical linkage in this vehicle.

As an alternative, several high security lock picks are designed to manipulate the wafers in this Audi door lock. These picks are designed to operate only the door lock, not the ignition lock.

Warning: This vehicle is equipped with multi-layer weather stripping at the base of the windows. The windows are extremely tight. Use extreme care as the slightest scrape may result in the window glass breaking.

The following opening methods can be used to unlock the 2006- up Audi A3:

High Tech Tools uses the One Hand Jack 78SG Tool to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert a one hand Jack system and an inflatable wedge along the middle of the top of the front passenger door. Inflate the wedge to wedge out the doorframe to provide access for the car-opening tool. Insert the 78SG through the opening created along the rear edge of the doorframe using a weather stripping protector. Slide the tool into the passenger compartment and hook the front passenger door handle. Pull back on the tool to unlock the door locking mechanism. An alternative opening method is to engage the lock release button to unlock the door lock mechanism.

The Pro-Lok method uses the AO-35 “MCOT-Wide” tool and an inflatable wedge to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the inflatable wedge nine inches from the rear edge of the front passenger door window. Inflate the wedge according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Insert the AO-35 tool into the door 19 inch from the rear edge of the window with the working end of the tool facing forward. Lower the tool 12 inches into the door cavity. Rotate the tool until the arch is on the passenger compartment side of the window glass. Deflate the wedge. Carefully lift the tool until the tip is in the passenger compartment. Rotate the tool 45 degrees counterclockwise and manipulate the tip of the tool onto the bottom portion of the electric lock-unlock button. Carefully push the bottom portion of the button, unlocking the locking mechanism. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for removing the car-opening tool.

Slide Lock Tool Company’s instructions say this vehicle is very tough to unlock, so do it only in an emergency situation and require the customer to sign a “Hold Harmless” form.

Slide Lock recommends using an AutoBuster III car-opening tool to unlock the passenger’s door locking mechanism. The AutoBuster III requires two thick wedges forward and rearward of the inside door lock-unlock button and door release button, an opening large enough for the AutoBuster III tool to enter. Insert the AutoBuster III tool with the working end towards the rear into the door cavity until the bend is beneath the bottom of the window. Remove the wedges. Rotate the tool until the bend is on the passenger side of the window. Carefully raise the tool until the tip is visible. Manipulate the tool until the tip is directly in front of the electric lock-unlock button. Gently push the button to unlock the door locking mechanism. Carefully remove the tool according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Steck Manufacturing method uses the BigEasy “Glo” and a wedge to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by first inserting the wedge or inflatable wedge into the top corner of the door. Once the door has been wedged out, insert the BigEasy tool into the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tool until the 90-degree bend tip contacts the passenger door electric lock-unlock button. Seat the tip of the tool at the top of the button and push gently. This allows the inside door handle to open the door. Position the tip of the tool against the electric lock-unlock button. Gently push the button to unlock the door locking mechanism. Carefully remove the tool according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The Tech-Train Productions method uses the TT-1015 car-opening tool and two wedges to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting two wedges about eight inches apart near the inside door handle. Carefully insert the TT-1015 into the door cavity with the hooked end facing forward. Carefully lower the tool until the bend of the tool is beneath the bottom of the window glass. Rotate the tool inboard slightly and raise the tool slowly and carefully. The moment the tool bend can be seen within the passenger compartment, stop and remove the wedges. After the wedges have been removed, raise the tool until the tip is within the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tool until the tip is just in front of the lock control rocker. Use the tip of the tool to flip the rocker to the rear and unlock the door locking mechanism. As an alternative, the tool can be used to pull the inside handle in order to open the door.

The direction to rotate the 2006- up Audi A3 driver’s door lock plug to the unlocked position is clockwise. There is no key lock on the front passenger door.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following manufacturers.

High Tech Tools, 1628 NW 28^th St., Miami, FL 33142. Telephone: 800-323-8324. Fax: 305-635-1015. Website: www.hightechtools.com.

Pro-Lok, 655 North Hariton Street, Orange, CA 92868. Telephone: 714-633-0681. Fax: 714-633-0470. Website: www.pro-lok.com.

Slide Lock Tool Co. Inc., 1166 Topside Rd., Louisville, TN 37777. Telephone: 800-336-8812. Website: www.z-tool.com.

Steck Manufacturing Company, Inc., 1115 S. Broadway, Dayton, OH 45408. Telephone: 800-227-8325. Web Site: www.steckmfg.com

Lockmasters Inc. (Tech Train) , 2101 John C. Watts Drive, Nicholasville, KY 40356. Telephone: 800-654-0637. Fax: 859-885-7093.Website: www.lockmasters.com.

We are interested in printing opening methods from other car opening tool manufacturers. To have your instructions published, enclose a contact name and telephone number. Contact Jerry Levine C/O Locksmith Ledger 3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Fax: 847-454-2759. E-mail: [email protected].