New BEA Electric Strikes
BEA has introduced three 12-24V AC/DC electric strike models that are UL/ULC listed for up to 1,500 pounds of static strength. The Rim Exit, No Cut and Universal Cylindrical electric strikes feature field-selectable Fail Safe or Fail Secure operation. The Universal Cylindrical electric strike is UL/ULC 1034, Burglary Resistant Listed.
The brushed stainless steel (32D) Rim Exit electric strike is surface mounted and compatible with most major rim exit devices using a standard Pullman style bolt. The No Cut Cylindrical Strike is designed to control access with cylindrical and tubular locks having a one-half inch latch projection. The No Cut electric strike body is less than one inch deep and fits into a standard ANSI dust box in the doorframe. The electric strike’s brushed stainless steel (32D) faceplate replaces the strike plate without modify the doorframe. The No Cut functions with most cylindrical and tubular locks whose latches have a ½” projection. The Universal Cylindrical Strike accepts a ½” or 5/8” latch projection with up to ¼” horizontal adjustment. This electric strike includes three faceplates for hollow metal, aluminum and wood doorframe applications.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or BEA Inc., 100 Enterprise Drive RIDC Park West, Pittsburgh, PA 15275. Telephone: 800-523-2462. Web site: www.beasensors.com.
STRATTEC Discontinuing VATS Interrogator Equipment
It appears that the Vehicle anti-Theft System (VATS) has just about run its course. STRATTEC is discontinuing its VATS Interrogator Units and adapter keys for both the single and double sided applications.
Cleaning Brass Key Blanks
Have any tarnished key blanks? Want them shiny new?
Pour some apple cider vinegar into a paper container and put in key blanks. Let soak for two hours. Rinse off with water, while wiping using a soft cloth or paper towel with dish soap. The discoloration will wipe off, leaving bright key blank.
Sentry® Home Defense Center
Sentry Safe has introduced the Home Defense Center corner gun safe. The HDC11E is approximately 54” tall by 11” wide by 12” deep, and has a 2.1 cubic foot capacity. Inside there is patent pending adjustable shelving/barrel containment to secure a shotgun or tactical weapon.
This safe is equipped with an electronic lock powered by four AA batteries. The zero audible feedback lock has illumination on the edges of the pushbuttons. A mechanical lock provides override.
The boltwork operates one inch corner bolts. The patent pending angled provides additional protection against prying. The 112-pound safe comes with a bolt down kit containing corner brackets to compensate for floor molding.
For more information, contact your local locksmith wholesaler or Sentry Safe, 900 Linden Avenue, Rochester, NY 14625-2784. Web Site: www.Sentrysafe.Com,
New Toyota Emergency Keys
The 2011 Toyota Sienna and the 2012 Toyota Camry models equipped with Smart Key have new emergency key blades as part of their remotes. The blades operate the driver’s door locks. The ignition is a pushbutton start. The 2011 Toyota Sienna and the 2012 Toyota Camry emergency keys are different, and not interchangeable.
They appear to be very similar to Lexus high security blanks with one side of the profile removed. These key blanks are much thinner, having the cuts on only one side, making them non-convenience keys. Lexus high security key blank blades will not fit into the keyway of the door lock.
Smart Key appears to be standard on V-6 equipped models and part of option packages on some of the other models.
The 2011 Toyota Sienna emergency key part number is 69515-08020. The 2012 Toyota Camry emergency key part number is 69515-33100.
Bianchi Electronic Key Heads
Bianchi Keyline electronic key heads are going batteryless. Starting Nov. 16, 2011, the TK24,TK40 and TK60 electronic key heads no longer contain batteries, eliminating the problems associated with them. Instead, the electronic heads operate only when a signal is received.
Batteryless Bianchi Keyline electronic key head covers look identical to the battery equipped models.
Estimates
When you present an estimate, should you show separate prices for parts and labor or do you just combine them into one amount?
What percentage of your estimates are successful?
If you win every estimate, are your prices too low?
If you do not win many are your prices too high?
Has any customer ever asked you to lower your estimate?
Have you lowered the estimate?
Let us know what you do. E-mail [email protected].
ASSA ABLOY Mobile Keys
Mobile keys are the latest credential for user access using a smart phone with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. Near Field Communication is a set of standards for smart phone devices to establish advanced two-way contact and contactless communications. The information stored can be sent by RFID Radio Frequency Identification systems enabling credit card information and access control credentials to make purchases or gain access.
The ASSA ABLOY Mobile Keys credentials are stored in the secure element, tamper resistant memory in the smart phone device. The credential is temporary and can be revoked even if the phone is lost or stolen.
The ASSA ABLOY Mobile Keys Platform offers key and access control in residential, commercial and hotel applications.
For more information, visit www.assaabloy.com
Illinois Landlord Law
A new Illinois rental law requires that the key bitting be changed after a tenant leaves and before the apartment can be rented. This law is in affect only for counties with more than 3 million people.
Smart Phone Credit/Debit Card Reader
A number of companies have developed apps and readers that enable businesses to accept credit cards using their smart phones. The credit/debit card is swiped through the reader. The technology can process MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover cards on a smart phone or even an Apple iPad. This enables locksmiths on a service call to take a credit or debit card wirelessly as long as there is a signal.
The reader is plugged into the smart phone’s headphone jack. The reader size and shape varies by company. Some readers operate with BlackBerry devices. Most, if not all readers operate with Android and Apple products. Many of the readers are free or the purchase price is rebated. All of the apps appear to be free. The companies that offer these services are very different. The fees and percentages range dramatically.
Some of the companies that offer these readers and apps (and their web sites) are:
Intuit GoPayment: http://gopayment.com/
MerchantAnywhere: http://www.merchantanywhere.com/
PAYware Mobile: http://www.paywaremobile.com/
PhoneTransact POS System: http://www.phonetransact.com/
ROAMpay: http://www.roamdata.com/
Square: https://squareup.com/
The positive side is for the merchant, who can now accept credit and debit cards just about anywhere. The down side is for the consumer who now has to trust that the person swiping their debit or credit card is not also voluntarily becoming a statistic of identity theft.
Ilco Engrave-It™ Pro
The Ilco Engrave-It Pro is a computer operated cutting tool that incises text and designs into a hard surface, whose machining style is “diamond drag” or rotary cutter. The Engrave-It Pro software operated on a PC lets the locksmith select from a range of common tasks such as lettering or to create custom settings using a variety of preprogrammed fonts and marking styles. The product being engraved is placed onto a specifically designed holder and then the machine removes the material creating the engraving. Features of the Engrave-It Pro include sequential numbering/custom lettering for marking keys and lock cylinders. To create the different designs, two solid carbide cutters and a diamond stylus are included.
The Engrave-It Pro comes with three, 24-key holders; Schlage, Ilco Neuter Bow, and Best style interchangeable core. There are two cylinder holders; 7-pin interchangeable core and rim/mortise lock cylinder.
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: 2004-on Chrysler Crossfire
This month we will offer recommended car-opening techniques for the 2004-on Chrysler Crossfire. Yes, there are some dealerships selling new Chrysler Crossfire models. The Crossfire is equipped with vertical lock control linkage on the doors. A modification early in production made it very difficult for an in the door cavity tool to unlock the door locking mechanism.
Warning: Use extreme care if you are using a through the door (long reach tool).
The following opening methods can be used to unlock the 2004-on Chrysler Crossfire coupe, roadster or convertible:
Use the High Tech Tools 78SG Tool to unlock the driver’s door locking mechanism. Insert the #78SG car-opening tool into the passenger compartment with the tip pointing downward. Insert the glass wedge between the tool and the glass and use the groove to guide the tool. Slide the tool until the tip is positioned behind the door handle. Pull back on the tool to move the handle into the unlocked position to unlock the locking mechanism. Open the door using the outside door handle.
Use the Pro-Lok AO-42 Long Reach Tool, sleeve and an inflatable wedge to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the inflatable wedge one inch from the top edge of the passenger door window. Inflate the wedge according to manufacturer’s instructions. Insert the AO42SL Protector Sleeve 6 inches from the top edge of the window. Insert the “L” end of the AO-42 through the sleeve into the passenger compartment with the tip facing down. Manipulate the tool until the tip of the tool seats behind the driver’s door manual pull handle. Pull to unlock the door locking mechanism. Open the door using the outside handle.
Use the Slide Lock Frameless Window Tool™ and a wedge to unlock the passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge along the upper portion of the rear vertical edge of the doorframe to relieve gasket pressure. Slide the Frameless Window Tool into the passenger compartment above the wedge. Slide the tool in carefully to avoid the coupler damaging the car’s finish. Manipulate the tool over the inside door handle. Pull back on the handle to unlock the door locking mechanism. Open the door using the outside handle.
Use the Steck Manufacturing 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 into the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tool to position the 90-degree bend tip behind the inside door handle. Carefully pull on the inside door handle to unlock the locking mechanism. With the handle in the release position, pull on the outside door handle and open the door.
Use the Tech-Train Productions Mercedes Benz 2-Track high security flip pick in order to unlock the driver’s door. However, using extreme caution, the vehicle can be unlocked using a long reach type of car-opening tool.
The direction to rotate the 2004-on Chrysler Crossfire driver’s door lock plug to the unlocked position is counterclockwise.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following manufacturers.
High Tech Tools, 1628 NW 28th St., Miami, FL 33142. Telephone: 1-800-323-8324. 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.
Lockmasters Inc. (Tech-Train), 2101 John C. Watts Drive, Nicholasville, KY 40356. Telephone: 800-654-0637. Fax: 859-885-7093. Website: www.lockmasters.com.
Steck Mfg., 1115 S. Broadway, Dayton, OH 45417. Telephone: 937-222-0062 or 800-227-8325. Website: www.steckmfg.com.
We are interested in printing opening methods from other car opening tool manufacturers. Contact Jerry Levine. Fax: 847-454-2759. E-mail: [email protected].
