Fine Lock Shop – Smart Door Lock & Locksmithing

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  • 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

  • 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

  • Locks by Door Shop Salesman- defeated in 15 seconds

    Locks by Door Shop Salesman- defeated in 15 seconds

    Changed locks for a owner in MJC. The house is basicly just waiting for any thief to target his house, and experienced thief will enter in 15 second, SILENTLY.

    We do not want to share here what trick they use, so that we will not unintentionally trained some new thief.

    Such key cylinder installation is dangerous and too easy for thief. If your house lock looks like this, find a locksmith immediately.

    And remember, for heart problem, find a heart specialist, not some general doctor. For lock problem, find a lock specialist, not a door specialist.

    Advise from locksmith.
    www.finelockshop.com/about

  • Keying Alike Cabinet/ Cupboard Lock

    Keying Alike Cabinet/ Cupboard Lock

    A facility guy of a huge manufacturing plant at Samajaya hold close to 100 sets of keys to the cupboard/cabinet at each department.
    Then one technician lost the key to one of his department’s cabinet. How the facility man is going to match the 96 sets of keys with the cabinet that he needs to open? He needs to search through all the labels one by one.

    But each department actually needs only 1 sets of keys. By doing Key-Alike, one key now opens all the cabinet in the same department. 100 sets reduced to 17 sets. Easy for the man, easy for the engineer, easy for the technician, and easy for the manager. 

    How about the director? He don’t need to hold keys. They said he will just scold the manager / technician if they took too long to take the document he needs.Guess that’s the main reason they wana do Key Alike.

  • Deadbolt that can’t even protect itself.

    Deadbolt that can’t even protect itself.

    A common deadbolt on your door can protect you. But first it needs to protect itself. If you’re using a naked deadbolt like below:

    Common door lock

    • All it takes is 1 hammer, 1 time knock, a flat screwdriver and 30 seconds time.

    Deadbolt after knocked with hammer
    Lets see what is the minimum that you should use:

    Good deadbolt

    See that black metal cover? That is a protection for your deadbolt, so that it won’t drop if knocked by hammer, and will block anything from reaching the mechanism inside.

    And what’s the good news? It is not expansive. 

    Advise from Locksmith, Not Salesman

    www.finelockshop.com

  • How Deadbolts Play A Role In Keeping Your Home Safe And Secure

    How Deadbolts Play A Role In Keeping Your Home Safe And Secure

    Though an alarm system or a guard dog may be helpful, locksmiths say a quality deadbolt is the best resistance to a home burglary. In most cases, Intruders use force to gain entry into a home. A deadbolt has a steel bolt that extends into the door jamb and strike plate of the door frame that makes the door harder to enter with force. If your deadbolts are used and working properly, this makes your home a less desirable target.

    The three basic parts of a deadbolt lock are a key accessible cylinder on the outside, the throw or bolt that slides in and out of the door jamb and the thumb turn that allows for manual control of the bolt from the inside of the home. All deadbolt locks should be made of steel, bronze or brass. Avoid die cast materials which can break apart.

    Types Of Deadbolts

    Single Cylinder

    The most common type of deadbolt used is a single cylinder that operates with a twist knob on the inside of the door and a keyhole on the outside. The bolt is “dead” because you have to manually move it in and out of place by means of a key or knob. This can still be breached if an entry door has glass panels since an intruder can break the glass and open the deadbolt from the inside.

    Double Cylinder

    An intruder will not be able to reach in to open the door through a broken glass panel if you have a double cylinder deadbolt. This is the most secure type of deadbolt because it requires a key to operate it on both sides of the door. Some people prefer not to use the double cylinder deadbolt due to the safety concerns of exiting the home in the event of a fire. If the deadbolt is in the locking position, a key would be required to exit which may deter a quick exit or concern if the key is lost. If you do choose to use a double cylinder deadbolt system, keep a key close by but out of arm’s reach of the door area. It’s important to note that before choosing a deadbolt, know that some fire safety and building codes forbid the installation of locks that require keys to open the door from the inside. Consult with a local contractor or locksmith before installing one.

    Regarding the throw (bolt) part of the deadbolt system, consider the difference in security risk between a horizontal and vertical throw.

    Horizontal Throw

    The standard horizontal throw extends one inch beyond the edge of the door and into the jamb. This may not be enough to support the door and frame from a forced entrance by an intruder who can pry the door apart from the jamb or it’s strike plate to disengage the throw.

    Vertical Throw

    A vertical or surface mounted deadbolt engages by interlocking with a set of cast metal rings affixed to the frame of the door. The rings surrounding the bolt make this lock virtually pry-proof making a vertical throw the safer choice of the two deadbolts.

    deadbolt

    Picture Source

    http://united-locksmith.net/blog/how-deadbolts-play-a-role-in-keeping-your-home-safe-and-secure

  • What material makes a lousy lock?

    What material makes a lousy lock?

    This door lock is broken. Succumbed to repeated pulling. But by right, door lock should be able to withstand vigorous pull and push and even twist.

    Why this door lock failed?

    The failure is caused by its material. It is made of Zinc Diecast. Which is a bad choice for door lock. Zinc is a not-so-strong material. Die casted (and mixed with some other cheaper material) makes it even weaker. Just take any Zinc Diecast. Bend it, and bend it back to original (just once), it will break. 
    What is the minimum material you should go for a lock? Zinc Alloy. Not really strong, but so much better than diecasted. But remember, it is a minimum. Go for a better one if you can afford. Not to show off, not to luxury, but for your family’s safety, and for saving yourself some trouble.

    Advise from Locksmith, not Salesman.

    www.finelockshop.com