Author: admin

  • Deadbolt + Hammer = Burglared

    Deadbolt + Hammer = Burglared


    *(Well not exactly hammer, because that will make a lot of noise)
    A cheap deadbolt get burglared. No damage to the keyway, so the only way is the internal part inside and turn a spindle with screwdriver.

    Usually the easy way is to use a hammer. But in this case there is no dent to the deadbolt cover.

    There are, however some dent and scratches on the door (maybe not so obvious from the dark photo). The thief must be using a flat head screwdriver, pry down the deadbolt, then use the same screwdriver to just turn the spindle behind.

    Guess what, when ask the owner, indeed he put some handy tools outside the house, including a flat head screwdriver.

    What can we learn from this case?

    In some frequent cases, the thief comes empty handed, so your neighborhood doesn’t realise. 

    “This is not a thief! Because he doesn’t have any tools or bag. How can he enter a house empty-handed?”.

     He open into your door using some tools or items you put outside your home. Even some gardening tools, repairing tools, maintenance tools, etc.

    So, the today’s real equation should be:

    Deadbolt + Flat Head Screwdriver = Burglared. 

    (Better don’t put this as the headline, we don’t wanna attract too many attention)
    How about you? What do you put at the exterior compound of your house?

    Advise from Locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com/blog

  • Self Destruct by Customer (But still can’t enter)

    Self Destruct by Customer (But still can’t enter)

    A destroying attempt by our customer in Stapok. He said he tried the whole morning.

    But end up still need to call us to unlock. And need to buy new lockset to replace. And the need to pass the new key to all family member.

    If he call us in the first place, we ll unlock it in maximum 15 minutes. No need whole morning, no need change lock, no need to pass new key to family member.

    But is not his fault. Everyone has his right to choose. 

    1. Whether you want to call for professional, hassle free and save time, or
    2. Whether you want to save the professional fee, but spend some extra time and effort and maybe little bit of trouble.

    We respect their choice. We have some really poor client usually from some kampung, can’t afford our fee, but they are quite handyman, can even build a whole house themselves. We understand their condition. Hence we teach them the proper lock to destroy.

    But if you wanna do it, make sure, double make sure you have some handy skill. This is not for some office professionals. 

    If not, you will be like our client above. Time, effort, money, all wasted. Plus some trouble.

    Advise from Locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com/blog

  • Are they really made in Italy? Australia? You’re duped. They are made in China

    Are they really made in Italy? Australia? You’re duped. They are made in China

    It is a common marketing gimmick today. Just put a Western country name with the logo. You will think their product comes from there.

    Like the photo. “Auzzieslzzp.Australia”. Fact? Made in Malaysia. 

    Not so bad if made in Malaysia. But for locks, they will be from China. What actually are you buying? From Italy or China?

    We want the accurate knowledge to reach our reader, and not influenced by some marketing gimmick. Below are the list of some brand, and where majority product comes from.

    1. St Guchi Italy (Malaysia company. Made in China)
    2. Genom Italy (Malaysia company. Made in China)
    3. Milano Italy (Malaysia company. Made in China)
    4. Yale ( US company, but since past few years product sold in Msia are made in China to fight for cheapest price and product in project)
    5. Stanley (US company, but product sold in Msia are made in China to fight for cheapest price and product in project)
    6. Dorma (US company, but product sold in Msia are made in China to fight for cheapest price and product in project)
    7. Keyline German (Msia company. Made in China)
    8. GT Benz German (Msia company, Made in China)
    9. (We will update this list from time to time)

    How to detect it is a marketing gimmick, not genuine origin? Very simple. Fake origin don’t write “Made in Italy”. They just said “Italy”

    Only GENUINE product write Made in Italy.

    For quality product, make sure they are written “Made in Italy/ Swiss/ Japan/ Korea/ Spain”. If not written then probably it means made in China


    Advise from Locksmith
    www.finelockshop.com

  • Key Alike Padlock. Square Key. One Key Open Lock

    Key Alike Padlock. Square Key. One Key Open Lock

    Square key padlock uses disc system, and really takes a lot of work and time to rekey to key alike. If Master Key? Even more work and more time.

    But it can be done. Like the above case. One key open 6 padlocks. Keyed Alike.

    www.finelockshop.com

  • Repairing Yet Another Contractor’s Mess

    Repairing Yet Another Contractor’s Mess

    The door is badly installed. When closed it has a huge gap on the upper part. And the installing contractor tell the owner “I can’t do anything about it”.

    So we adjusted the hinge and balanced the door installation. In the process, while removing the hinge screws, few screws break apart. Not one, but few. The hinge is GKY. It is a very good hinge, comes with real stainless steel screws for itself. By right their screw will not break apart that easily.

    But the installer did not use the provided steel screw. He used zinc alloy drywall screw. Actually using zinc screw is easier. These screws are fast and extremely sharp. It’s really easy to screw into wood frame. Don’t need any pilot hole, just drive it straight in. Contractor’s convenience, however, comes at a cost for the owner. Those “easy screws” are soft and easily bent, easily break.

    We are not sure why they used those screws instead of the steel. It might be they don’t know the differences and thought it is OK to use any type of screws.

    In locksmithing, we also sometimes use those screw, but just as temporary screws to check on the margin, fitness and positioning. Aftr check, we will remove them and use the steel screws. Zinc screws must not be used on locks and hinge.

    Zinc screws:

    • Very sharp
    • Very fast and easy to drive
    • Soft material. Easily break apart.
    • Not suitable on door and fittings

    Steel screws:

    • Not sharp, need pilot hole first
    • Might slow down installation
    • Hard material and will not break apart or easilt bent
    • Strong to use on door and fittings

    So make sure not to use soft screws on the most important part of your home.

    www.finelockshop.com
    An advise by locksmith

  • More Value for Money (Metal Cabinet Lock)

    More Value for Money (Metal Cabinet Lock)

    Famous brand for office tall metal cabinet lock is AZUM. 

    • Cost: RM 60 or above
    • Can be ordered keyed alike? : NO

    If need to Key Alike, we to charge additionally. But it did last long and build with zinc alloy and PC, solid inside and good material.
    But now ww have this brand, MY.

    • Cost: RM 38
    • Can be ordered keyed alike?: YES

    Material is equally heavy duty. Same material too. And don’t need additional rekey cost. 

    So why not?

    www.finelockshop.com
    By real locksmith, not some salesman

  • Office case: Engineering firm losses RM 4000 & a cheap lock RM 40

    Office case: Engineering firm losses RM 4000 & a cheap lock RM 40

    Break in cost 10 times more than a good lock

    Office locks, a good one might cost RM400. Typical office uses cheap lock, around RM 40 that is easily defeated.
    But losses to break in around RM4000(and the mess, documents,etc).

    Is the cheap lock worth it?

    http://www.theborneopost.com/2016/10/05/engineering-firm-loses-around-rm4000-in-break-in/

  • Why some keys break apart easily than others?

    Why some keys break apart easily than others?

    The top photo are sample of extracted broken key. (The key at bottom photo is purposely cut into half)

    Why some keys breaks more easily? It is the material that matters.

    We are not sure what is the material of the first photo, but high possibility is Zinc, a brittle metal. Zinc is a bit grey coloured. Zinc is indeed easily broken. In Kuching, if you found key duplication at RM3 or below, probably it is Zinc. All zinc-key comes from China.

    The bottom photo is our brass key. You can differentiate easily by the color. Brass is almost gold coloured. Much more durable. Most commonly used as a standard key.

    More comparison photos below:

    Next time you need a key duplicated, make sure you get a brass key.

    There is another material, even better than brass key, but we will share more on that in the future.

    Advise from locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com/about