Fine Lock Shop – Smart Door Lock & Locksmithing

Tag: locksmith

  • How to Choose the Right Smart Door Lock for Your Home

    How to Choose the Right Smart Door Lock for Your Home

    Choosing the perfect smart door lock for your home is a crucial decision that combines security, convenience, and technology. With an array of options available, it’s important to understand the different types of smart door locks and consider essential factors when making your selection. In this article, we will explore the world of smart door locks, provide valuable insights, and guide you in choosing the best option to meet your specific needs.

    1. Understanding Smart Door Locks: Smart door locks offer a wide range of features and functionalities that enhance the security and accessibility of your home. These locks utilize advanced technology such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Wifi to connect with your smartphone or other smart devices. Let’s explore the different types of smart door locks:
    • Keyless Keypad Locks: These locks allow you to enter a unique PIN code or card to unlock the door, eliminating the need for physical keys.
    • Bluetooth-Enabled Locks: With Bluetooth connectivity, these locks offer convenient access through your smartphone when you’re within range.
    • Wi-Fi-Enabled Locks: These locks provide remote access and control, allowing you to lock or unlock your door from anywhere using a smartphone app.
    • Biometric Locks: These locks use fingerprint recognition technology to grant access, providing a high level of security and convenience.
    1. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Smart Door Lock: Now that you understand the types of smart door locks available, here are some important factors to consider when selecting the right one for your home:
    • Security Features: Look for locks with robust security features such as encryption, tamper alerts, and anti-pick technology to ensure the safety of your home.
    • Compatibility: Check if the smart lock is compatible with your existing door and lock hardware. Some locks require specific door types or modifications for installation. I can’t guide your in detail here, as too many conditions of the door need to be considered such as material, stine width, thickness, grille distance etc.
    • Integration with Smart Home Systems: If you have a smart home setup, ensure that the smart lock can seamlessly integrate with your existing devices and platforms.
    • Power Source: Consider the power source of the lock. Some locks operate on batteries, while others can be hardwired into your home’s electrical system.
    • User-Friendly Interface: Opt for locks with intuitive interfaces and easy-to-use mobile apps for a hassle-free experience.
    • Lock material: It might come to your surprise, but smart lock comes in many material. Cheapest one will use plastic. Of course it will not be durable (but it’s cheap!). Other material arranged by hardness (and increasing cost too) will be aluminium alloy, zinc alloy, copper, and stainless steel.
    • Budget: Determine your budget and explore options within that range, considering the features and benefits offered by each smart lock.
    1. Additional Tips for Choosing the Right Smart Door Lock: To further assist you in making an informed decision, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
    • Read reviews and ratings from reputable sources and other homeowners to gain insights into the performance and reliability of the smart locks you are considering.
    • Consider the warranty and customer support provided by the manufacturer. A reliable warranty and accessible customer support can be invaluable in case of any issues.
    • Seek professional installation if you’re not confident in your own abilities. Proper installation ensures optimal performance and security.

    Choosing the right smart door lock is a critical step in enhancing the security and convenience of your home. By understanding the different types of smart locks available and considering factors such as security features, compatibility, integration with smart home systems, and budget, you can confidently select the best smart door lock to meet your specific needs. Stay informed, compare options, and make a well-informed decision to enjoy the benefits of a secure and technologically advanced home.

    And one more, you will need to know all your choices in order to make wise comparison. I will include the link below where you can download all digital lock available in Kuching together with the price for you. Transparent enough?


    https://home.finelockshop.com/

  • Door Lock – Same Look, different Durability

    Door Lock – Same Look, different Durability

    Mortise lock is among the most durable lock – or supposed to be. Buy a good one will last you a lifetime.

    Lousy Locks (But cheap)

    Out of all our locksmith services, we do come across some pretty new mortise locks that had totally broken beyond repair, without sign of abuse.

    Common brands that we replace are some unknown brand (a brand that is not known by any locksmith are 95% come from China)

    We do remember some that we often change/ break due to lockout, like Fuyu (China), Kasa (China), no brand (China), and Tyson (China). Average age is like 3 to 5 years.

    Really Good Durable Locks (Worth every penny)

    We also serviced some, really old lock that just need to top up some oil like Frascio (25 years old Italian), Yale (10 years old British), Chubb (30years old British), Kale (20 years old Turkish). 
    How do you differentiate good and cheap locks? 

    Ask a professional.

  • Digital Door Lock Kuching (And Designer Deadbolt)

    Digital Door Lock Kuching (And Designer Deadbolt)

    Royal President Guardian Digital Lock

    • Password and RF Card

    Square Designer Deadbolt

    • Restricted Key Duplication and 
    • Anti-hack Cover
    • Anti-pick
    • Anti bump.

    Location: Kuching

  • A Very Impressive Door Lock in Kuching

    A Very Impressive Door Lock in Kuching

    A customer walk in and ask to re-key his 10 years old house lock (one key drop somewhere and could not be found)

    We are very impressed with his lock. We knew he bought it either KL or Singapore, because they did not buy from us. It is EZ Brand, top range. We do sell it but we have never opened in till the key cylinder to rekey it. This is the first time we open all the way into the Key Cylinder.

    From outside looks like a common key cylinder, but inside is all good material and high security feature. Definitely an upper ANSI Grade 2 lock at least. In Kuching majority deadbolt, sorry to say, failed to pass the lowest Grade 3.

    This lock uses pin-within-pin key system, which makes it very hard to pick. Added with anti pick and anti bump top pin, I have to say this lock is simply beyond even my ability to pick it.

    How about drilling? You can see hardened steel pin inserted at the head of the cylinder:

    Which mean you can’t drill it either. 

    This is a very very impressive deadbolt. Worth every ringgit spend. Price: around RM 200 (high security, last very long, and safe)

    Ordinary China deadbolt might cost around RM 30, but they have nothing to compare with this deadbolt.

    Choose wisely.

    Advise from Locksmith.
    The Fine Lock Shop

  • Stealth Deadbolt with Custom Made Backplate

    Stealth Deadbolt with Custom Made Backplate

    This door has a bigger hole than the deadbolt plate. If we just install like that, can see some small hole besides the deadbolt. Although small, still doesn’t look nice. 

    Hence something else is needed to cover the hole. There are alternatives like door strengthener, standard backplate which is square, but both doesn’t look nice (according to the customer). 

    So we need a custom made solution that will blend in with the lock, so that it looks “original”. We come up with a round, hairline and plasma cut stainless steel according to the fitting of the deadbolt design. The effect is very nice. 

    Locksmith always need some custom cut metal plates. Sometimes brass, aluminium or stainless steel. It is simply because there are too many design, situation, thickness, requirement, etc. In order to install the lock to work with durability, strength, and smooth, some degree of customisation is needed. 

    So do not be worried your locksmith used some extra plate on your door. If used correctly, it makes your lock and door stronger than before

    Advise from Locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com/blog

  • Door Sometimes Just Get Swollen

    Door Sometimes Just Get Swollen

    Swollen Door

    This door expands. It keeps on expanding so after a while, it is quite bad. So once you push it to close, it is hard to open. This customer ask someone from outside to help kick to door open. And the door cracks. (UPDATES: After checking on the client’s door, just the surface laminate layer crack actually, not the whole wood wall. Inside still solid)

    Wooden door is quite hard to predict. Some expand, some shrink, some twist. And some happen to new door (can claim warranty), some happen after 1 year, some happen after 2 years, etc. 

    We are fully focused on locks, so door knowledge is somehow limited to experience only. From experience, we can guess what type of door will expand, what type of door shrinks, etc. But why? We can only guess, can’t be sure.

    We have worked with some door seller. Some just sell. Some is a contractor carpenter. They are almost the same like us, they can explain what happen to the door but is a pure guess on experience. 

    But there are a few, who are really  specialised door maker. He knows what’s wrong with the door once he sees and touches it. The differences with common carpenter is he can explain to us the technical and scientific reason behind it. Just like a teacher explaining in details.
    So for door problem sometimes we need a skillful and experienced carpenter’s advise or if better a specialised door maker’s advise. We always keep their number with us. Called them up so often that we have become friends.

    Here we list a common door-cannot-close problem:

    1. Hinge problem. It might be the hinge screw worn out or loosen, or the hinge is a bad quality type. Change the hinge (cost more than installing new door, as the workmanship involved is actually removing, and reinstalling door again, so is a “double work”)
    2. Door expand: need to plan the door or grind it
    3. Door shrink: causes the door to unable to latch. In this case the strike plate needs some extra padding to thicken it so that it can catch the door latch.
    4. Door twist: can opt to readjust strike plate, or readjust hinge alignment 
    5. Door joint problem : the door spine/ bone joint is no longer strong, causes the door to drop in shape. Need special angle steel plate to lift and strengthen the joint.

    Advise from locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com

  • What type of Door Handle will Break Apart?

    What type of Door Handle will Break Apart?

    We have seen Zinc Diecast as the most oftenly break. Followed by Zinc Alloy.
    The above photo is a Zinc Diecast. It is installed at a Metal Door. Aged at 4 years.

    We changed to a fully stainless steel handle for him. Definitely won’t break.

    Advise from Locksmith,
    www.finelockshop.com/blog

  • 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