Detex ECL-230X Series Panic Device
Detex Corporation has introduced the heavy-duty, single and multi-point deadbolt-equipped panic devices, the ECL-230 Series for protection against back door break-ins. The non-handed Detex ECL-230X Series devices are equipped with photo-luminescent sign and a 100 decibel alarm. They are life safety and code compliant.
ECL-230X Series panic devices are available as a single-point (center case), dual-point (top rod only and center case), dual-point (top and bottom rod), and three-point (top and bottom and center case) deadbolt panic devices. The top rod only and top and bottom rod equipped panic devices are surface mounted. The top and bottom bolts have ¾” throw with 5/8” engagement. The center case deadbolt has a 1” throw with ¾” engagement.
For maximum protection, Detex offers the ECL-230X-TDB-DX3 panic device with six locking points. The DX bolts provide hinge side protection. For outdoor or wet environments, Detex offers the ECL-230X-W-TDB.
Optional features for the ECL-230X Series include the Inside Pull, DX bolts, interchangeable core and the hardwired kit.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Detex, telephone 830-629-2900, web site www.detex.com
Desk Lock For All Purposes
I was recently at a hospital and had to take this photo. A wafer tumbler desk lock was being used to secure the used syringe container!
High Copper (Brass) Prices
High copper prices mean higher brass prices. Before you order any solid brass (i.e. sheet brass or cast brass products), find out today’s cost. Copper prices are hitting the locksmith industry hard. Do not just order brass products and figure the price you paid weeks, months or a year ago will be the same today. According to one door hardware manufacturer, brass is hovering around $6 a pound.
Key Blanks with Ferrous Metal
Some Asian and North American brass key blanks are being manufactured with an increasing amount of ferrous metal. This may be because of the high cost of brass. I believe there is a specified maximum amount of ferrous metal that can be in a U. S. manufactured key blank. As key blanks are manufactured with more ferrous metal, they become more attracted to a magnet. If a key blank contains a small amount, it can be dragged with a magnet. If there is enough ferrous metal, the key blank can become magnetically attached. The more metal there is in a key blank, the harder it is to cut and the harder it is on your rotary cutter.
Keep a magnet near each of your key machines. Test key blanks before cutting them. Too much ferrous metal in a key blank can cause problems for the cutter.
Door Lock Removal Tip
I have received several telephone calls from locksmiths asking for a method to remove the manual window operator handle. I take a locking pliers, attach a one-inch finish nail at the head and place a 90-degree bend about ¼” from the tip. Position the nail at the edge of the jaws that touch the door panel. Slide the nail tip into the space between the handle and hopefully the plastic spacer. Either way, be very careful to not damage the door trim panel.
The clip is normally installed from the top of the handle. Manipulate the tip beneath thee clip and carefully pull the clip part way so the clip no longer secures the crank mechanism shaft.
Pulling the clip off completely can result in the clip disappearing. Once removed, push the clip back into position before installing the handle.
Custom Code Cards
A locksmith from New Hampshire suggested this application for custom code cards. He had a code machine cutter that was damaged and then sharpened. The good news was the cutter could and was able to be sharpened. The bad news was the operating diameter of the cutter was smaller than expected as key the code cut were a few thousandths too shallow. To confirm this, he originated a Schlage key with all different depths. Each depth of cut was just about .005” off. He then made a code card for Schlage keys using the .005” shallower. This way he could use the cutter on a dedicated Schlage code machine and originate keys and use the custom code card to have accurate depths of cut.
Note: If you change cutters, you probably will end up mis-cutting keys because of the different diameters.
Suggestion: Gil-Ray Tools, from Bay City, Mich., offers a service to sharpen all of your code machine’s cutter to a uniform diameter. This way you can adjust the code machine for this specific diameter and change cutters without worrying. Web Site: www.gilraytools.com
Never Say Never or Always
STRATTEC ‘s new internal sidewinder key blank for the 2012 Ford Focus uses the 10,001-11,500 code series. The part number is 5921709. This key blank has the 80 Bit technology; however, there is no “SA” or “HA” stamped into the blade. Even though it does not have the “SA” or “HA”, it is a sidewinder blade, which should not be too hard to remember.
Corbin-Russwin System 70 Control Keys
Corbin-Russwin System 70 removable core locks have a control shear line and an operating shear line. The core contains six pin chambers, four of which have both a control and an operating shear line. The remaining two pin chambers have only one shear line and are keyed like a conventional pin chamber having a top pin, master pin and bottom pin.
To determine the depths of cut of the control key in a Corbin-Russwin System 70 core, determine the master key depths of cut in spaces one and six. Remove and measure the top pins in pin chambers two through five.
The length of the top pin determines the depth of cut for the control key.
Top Pin Length: .192” Control Key Cut 1
Top Pin Length: .163” Control Key Cut 2
Top Pin Length: .135” Control Key Cut 3
Top Pin Length: .107” Control Key Cut 4
Top Pin Length: .080” Control Key Cut 5
Top Pin Length: .080” Control Key Cut 6
Pin lengths are from the Corbin Russwin Cylinder Manual.
Ilco SFIC Housing Accessory Kit
Ilco has introduced the interchangeable core SFIC Housing Accessory Kit, part number R2800-00-8X. The kit contains 50 cams, 10 each of Sargent/Yale, Sargent “L”, Best/Corbin-Russwin Clover, Adams Rite and the standard cam. There are mortise cam screws, rim tailpiece retaining rings, seven pin spaces, and trim rings.
For more information, contact your local locksmith wholesaler or Kaba Ilco Corp., Web Site: www.kaba-ilco.com
Car-Opening Techniques: Volkswagen Touareg, Porsche & Audi Q7
This month we will offer recommended car opening techniques for the 2004-2011 Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne and 2007-2011 Audi Q7. This four-door sport utility vehicle is equipped with bicycle-style cables in the front doors.
Caution: The windows are extremely tight. Failure to the wedges before bringing the car-opening tool up into the passenger compartment may result in the window glass breaking.
Warning: This vehicle is equipped with multi-layer weather stripping at the base of the windows.
The following opening methods can be used to unlock the 2004-2011 Volkswagen Touareg:
The High Tech Tools Extreme Emergency Opening Only method uses the 78SG Tool to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert a one hand Jack system and an inflatable wedge towards the middle of the front passenger doorframe. Wedge out the door frame to provide access for the car opening tool. Insert the 78SG through the opening created along the rear edge of the door frame 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.
Use the Pro-Lok AO-36 “MCOT- Long Tool” and an inflatable wedge to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge 16 inches from the front edge of the front passenger door window. Inflate the wedge according to manufacturer’s specifications. Insert the AO-36 tool into the door 12 inches from the front edge of the window with the tip facing forward. Lower the tool inches into the door cavity until the bend is beneath the bottom of the window glass. Rotate the tool until the bend is on the inside of the window.
Deflate the wedge. Lift the tool, carefully working the bend into the passenger compartment. When the tip is visible, rotate the tool 45 degrees counterclockwise and position the tip over the electric lock-unlock button. Push the top of the electric lock-unlock button to unlock the door locking mechanism. Open the door by pulling on the outside handle.
Slide Lock recommends using two car-opening tools: an AutoBuster III and the Frameless Window Tool using the inside Door Handle Extension. The AutoBuster III requires two wedges forward and rearward of the inside door handle assembly, an opening large enough for the AutoBuster III tool to enter. Insert the AutoBuster III tool 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 behind the door handle.
Next, insert the Frameless Window Tool by first inserting and inflating two inflatable wedges to open the door gap in order for the Frameless Window Tool with Door Handle Extension to be inserted into the passenger compartment and the tip positioned behind the handle. Pull on the inside door handle twice to unlock the locking mechanism and open the door.
Use Steck Manufacturing’s BigEasy “Glo” and a wedge to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by 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 to position the ninety degree bend tip behind the inside door handle. Pull on the inside door handle twice to unlock the locking mechanism and open the door. Or pull out on the inside door handle, return it to the rest position and open the door by operating the outside right front door handle.
Use the Tech-Train Productions TT-1036 car-opening tool and two wedges to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert the two wedges on both sides of the inside door handle creating a gap large enough to insert and to operate the car-opening tool. Carefully insert the TT-1036 between the wedges into the door cavity with the tip pointing towards the front of the vehicle. Lower the tool until the upper bend is below the bottom of the glass. Rotate the tool so the bend in on the inside of the glass. Carefully raise the TT-1036 until the bend is just appears through the weather stripping. Stop immediately and remove the two wedges. Carefully raise the tool until the tip is in the passenger compartment. Place the tip of the tool behind the inside door handle and pull out until it stops. Return the handle to the rest position. This unlocks the door locking mechanism. Open the door by pulling on the outside handle.
The direction to rotate the 2004-2011 Volkswagen Touareg driver’s side door lock plug to the unlocked position is counterclockwise.
For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or the following car-opening tool manufacturers.
High Tech Tools, 1628 NW 28th St., Miami, FL 33142. Telephone: 800-323-8324. Fax: 305-635-1015. Web site: www.hightechtools.com.
Pro-Lok, 655 North Hariton St., 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., 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. Write or fax to Jerry Levine C/O Locksmith Ledger 3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Fax: 847-454-2759.
