Fine Lock Shop – Smart Door Lock & Locksmithing

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  • Padlock & Grille: Common Break-in Method

    Padlock & Grille: Common Break-in Method

    Grille and Padlock are the most common combination used at the front or back door. From our experience, we found out the following:

    Welded padlock bracket is actually not that strong

    Why do we say so? Our technician learned some welding before, and we have also cooperated with plenty of grille welder, both stainless steel and steel. The process of welding itself actually melts some of the metal body in order to create bonding. Thus the welded part is a thinner part. (thinner metal cannot be welded due to this; welding will instead make holes to the thin metal sheet).

    Frankly we are not welding specialist. There might be someone or some other welding methods out there that do not melt and make the metal become thinner. But from experience we’ve seen a huge number of padlock break-in cases in Kuching that happens just like this case:Padlock Burglar Kuching

    Very frequent happened. Padlock was not attacked. Instead thief attacked the bracket. In all cases, the broken part is randomly bent. Means the thief us forcing the bracket to move left-right-left-right till it breaks. And it breaks at the welded part.

    Not one case, not two cases, but plenty. Welded bracket is simply a weak point at the grille.

    Our suggestion? Use a full body wrap bracket. Or use a thru-fixing bracket. So much stronger, and so many times harder to break. Below is an example of thru-fixing bracket, which is also our locksmith’s favourite:Padlock kuching bracket

    In the above cases, we use Hardened Steel (Steel and Stainless Steel are saw-able, Hardened is not saw-able) Bracket. The screws are non removable, and there are no welded part. So in order to defeat the bracket, you need to rip the whole metal grille body apart. This is really tough to do.

    Now, what type of bracket are you using?

    Advise from Locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com

  • Unique Break In/ Burglary at Kuching

    Unique Break In/ Burglary at Kuching

    We have seen all sort of method of break in. The pry in, the kick in, the bump in, lockpicking, snapping, etc. We know and confirmed by looking at the deadbody of the lock and door. These methods are common, seen every week.

    But this, is first time in our life, first time in our career. Using blow-torch fire. Actually it doesn’t help in their break in. Because in the end they actually hammer-snap the key cylinder. 

    Effect on the mortise seems very unprofessional. Our guess is they took a really long time and have a hard time trying to break in. It’s a commercial area so the place is completely theirs at night.

    Thieves and robbers are using all sort of ways to break in nowadays. Invest in a good lock is a must. Just imagine the loss of money, valuables and time (not yet consider the loss of lives of your family if they’re in during the break in) due to a break in. An ultra strong lock costs only penny compared to that.

    In other word, security lock that gives real protection, is valueless. 

  • Small Digital Lock with Backup Key

    Small Digital Lock with Backup Key

    How to choose a digital lock? There are many aspects have to be thought of. But today let talk about key.

    Small version digital lock (add-on existing lock type) has rim type and deadbolt. Rim type is most flexible, but never has a version with key, until this model pop out.

    St Guchi Epic Rim open by:

    1. RF Card
    2. Passcode
    3. Mechanical(Ordinary) Key

    Great alternative for main door, as we always recommended to have key for main door even if it’s a digital lock. 

    We have 24hour unlocking service, but if really that day our standby locksmith is so tired that he sleep like half dead, you have wait till morning. Or if he is in the toilet doing big business, you have to wait 1 hour stamding outside your house.

    If on a room door, you can get digital lock without key. If 10 years later the lock spoil, you can wait for us in your living room or have coffee in you kitchen.

    Main door, always have a key. Always.

  • Premium Viro Italian Padlock is defective?

    Premium Viro Italian Padlock is defective?

    A walk-in client chooses the VIRO padlock for his grille door. After few days come the above complaint. Just happened today.

    Viro is such a famous padlock among the professional locksmith industries, worldwide. 100% all locksmiths know VIRO, as a extremely high quality padlock, including us. So what is this Viro padlock? (If you don’t know this brand yet, please, educate yourself)

    Our most memorable memory with Viro is when one of our client in Stapok used it for 25 years, then comes the big flood (Kuching 2014’s famous big flood) entering to his house. The padlock is still locking his back grille, soaked in muddy flood water. 2 days later he return to his home. Still can unlock the Viro. Still works like usual except it’s really dirty, full with muds.

    VIRO: 

    1. Fully made in Italy
    2. Anti Pick
    3. Anti Bump
    4. Anti Saw
    5. Anti Bypass
    6. Anti Cut
    7. Extremely Durable

    So what happen with today’s client? Comes complaint that it’s spoil already. Key goes in, can turn, but the shackle won’t detach. We tried, it’s true. Shackle seems stuck.

    Under normal circumstances, we will have grind it, or drill it. But this is a VIRO. How can it be spoilt? A genuine Viro simply cannot be spoilt, especially if you said less than 1 week!

    The only possibility, is the grease hardened. So we tried spray some WD-40 to it. After few spray, the shackle becomes workable. Work like new again. 

    The client, however, do not believe Viro anymore and exchanged with a cheaper Yale. We understand the client’s worries, because he had never heard of this brand (he is the first for us). The padlock is indeed stuck initially when we tried. So we credited his refund.

    Now you might ask, what is hardened grease? 

    Every single padlock, with moving mechanical parts, needs grease. Just like car needs oil. Grease, if stay stationary/ no movement, might gets solidified. So a constantly used (got movement) padlock will not have hardened grease problem.

    But Viro is a slow selling product, due to it’s high price. The Viro that we’re selling in Malaysia, we estimate is manufactured at least 5 years ago. So 5 years in a box without movement. Possibility of hardened grease is there. 

    Same thing happened if you leave your home for long time, like few months. Some locks and padlocks do feels more sticky, or stuck. (We get some business from such cases as well)

    The next time you come back from holiday, get some WD-40. Spray your locks before calling any locksmith.

  • High Strength Digital Lock – Higher than Yale or Samsung Digital Door Lock

    High Strength Digital Lock – Higher than Yale or Samsung Digital Door Lock

    The Yale Digital Lock Distributor told us, Yale is the best digital door lock in the market. 

    Samsung Digital Lock Distributor said, their lock is the best. 

    You will face similar situation. If you go to a shop selling only Yale brand, they will tell you Yale is the best. Might also tell all sort of negative things about other brand. If you go to shop selling only Samsung, they will tell you Samsung is the best. Might also tell all sort of negative things about other brand.

    The fact is both of them cannot be trusted. They are salesman, trained to sell their own product. They don’t install, they don’t service, they don’t repair. They don’t actually know beyond the paper.

    If you need to know honest opinion, ask someone who is a locksmith, do install, repair and servicing, and sells not only 1 brand but all sort of brand.

    If you ask us, we will say this Hione is a pretty decent compared to Yale Digital Lock or Samsung. Great locking strength. When comes to locking security, more bolt means stronger. That’s why bank safes and doors use multiple steel bolt.

    Quality wise, is also as good. Very recommended. 

  • Best Design Digital Door Lock 

    Best Design Digital Door Lock 

    This model is by far the slimmest, and received most positive review among all Rim Type Digital Door Lock. 

    Gateman is known to be one of the oldest digital lock manufacturer. They manufacture for some of Yale digital lock model as well. 

    But they are not the perfect factory, and so with their product. No matter how good a digital lock factory is, they are sure some limited units that somehow defective. That’s why warranty is needed, to cover for the unlucky one who got the defective unit. 

    For the normal unit, gateman can last you quite a number of years. The longest model installed, is 14 years now and still counting.

    When problem comes, don’t worry. We’ve got your back

  • Digital Lock needs repairs after 10 years operating

    Digital Lock needs repairs after 10 years operating

    This digital lock is aged slightly more than 10 years. In good operation until this week. Owner was not able to unlock the door.

    We go to the site, unlock, disassemble, repair and reassemble, all done on site in 30minutes.

    Today’s problem is due to a small broken spring. But seems like mortise part (gear and spring) starts to show sign of worn out due to metal to metal friction. 

    This is a 10 years digital lock. The owner has got the value of the lock back to his pocket. He himself said has no regret even if need to change to a whole new set.

    We also have client that have used digital locks for more than 14 years and counting,  still no problem yet. It all depends on usage. Some start to give problem as early as 2 years, although the number is very small. 

    For now this repair only cost penny and 30minutes. It can still work, so this unit stays. 

    Treat your lock well, and it will serve you well too

    Advise from www.finelockshop.com door lock & locksmithing

  • 2 Types of Door Lock Installer and Their Installation Method

    2 Types of Door Lock Installer and Their Installation Method

    There are two types of installer for door lock”:

    1. Contract Installer – usually used for project, where speed and quantity matter. The more installation they can complete, the more money they can make. Majority is a freelance.
    2. Specialised Trained Installer – only do end user work, attached to certain company that hires and trains them continuosly, doesn’t care about speed and quantity. But cares about strength, look and precision. Command a higher charges compared to contract installer. Use more updated tools and some special equipment.

    There are no good or bad here. Just what you require. What if you are just trying to fix some unimportant area of your old kampung house? You might choose contract installer.

    But if some important area, and you want it strong and good looking, go for specialised. If you choose a contract type, they just wana do it fast and might not even come back for rectification works.

    Our company has our own specially trained locksmith to do installation for you. We might command a higher charges compared to some contractor (few client, however, feedback said some common contractor also same or even higher charges than us), but all our clients realised the differences in our skills and commitments to deliver the best end result.

    We are still only human, we do make mistakes sometimes as well, but we will rectify it until you’re satisfied.
    Some Knowledge Sharing,
    www.finelockshop.com

  • Door Lock Installed for Airbnb Home Stay in Kuching

    Door Lock Installed for Airbnb Home Stay in Kuching

    Suddenly within the past few month we received quite a number of request for digital locks for home stay. Seems like homestay business is booming in Kuching. 

    Majority use Airbnb, a famous app founded by US company but is booming worldwide.

    We suggested many options, depending on their needs and request. 

    Some want total remote control like, don’t want to meet their client. So they need locks that can be controlled from the phone. They choose TAC system locks.

    Mostly want to meet their client and feel that it’s a courtesy to meet and pass them some cards or password. So they choose the model in the photo. (Maybe because of price factor as well)

    Model: Guardian Alpha

    Origin: South Korea

    Function: Passcode and Cards

    Durable and affordable digital lock.

  • Digital Lock: are they safe?

    Digital Lock: are they safe?

    Common digital lock are normal, in terms of locking strength. Which is single bolt with a latch.

    But there are higher security version, with TRIPLE BOLT, like this.

    Just in case you do not have some common sense, more bolt means it’s harder to pry/ kick open. A single straight bolt, can be said is 100% pryable.

    Single straight bolt mortise locking system originates from Britain. A country which we know, comparable if not better than our neighbour Singapore. So safe. Just need to lock it for privacy purpose. Rarely you heard of a burglary case there, although it do happen sometimes. They just want a durable lock, with some safety. So there come a straight bolt mortise lock.

    In Malaysia? People kick, pry, break, cut, bent, rob. You can’t compare UK lock to Malaysia lock. Because we need higher level of security. Much higher.

    So double bolt will do better, and triple bolt the best. For Main Door, better add another lock on top of a main lock, be it digital or not. 

    If you do have some extra budget, get the one with hook. Even stronger than triple bolt.