Locksmithing etc. July 2012

July 2, 2012

Standalone Proximity Card Access Control Units

Secura Key Radio Key® RK-65K and RK-65KS standalone proximity card access control units can manage up to 65,000 individual users with sequentially numbered proximity cards or tags. Cards and tags are added and deleted using the RK-HHP handheld programmer. The device is capable of programming additional features.

These compact, weather-resistant surface mounted units have patented Dynascan® technology that automatically tunes the reader to its environment to obtain the maximum read range that has been tested to six inches. When an issued proximity card or key tag is detected, the solid-state relay initiates a long green LED and audible beep. A Wiegand output enables the reader unit to connect to a multi-door access control or telephone entry system. A Remote Open input is provided to allow activation remotely via pushbutton.

The RK-65K is designed for doorjamb or mullion mounting. The RK-65KS is the size of an electrical switch plate.

For more information, contact your local locksmith distributor or Secura Key, 20301 Nordhoff Street, Chatsworth, CA  91311. Telephone: 800-891-0020. Web Site: www.securakey.com.

Reading Key Codes

Reading the correct key code on a lock or key can become more difficult with time, location and use. Code can become harder to read and numbers begin to appear as letters and letters as numbers.

An example is a locksmith called looking for the bittings, thinking the code was for a Chicago lock with the key code of 1L490. Chicago key codes only extend to 1L450.

However, a somewhat similar variation of this code is 1L49C. This key code is used on Diebold equipment. There is a Diebold series 1L01C to 1L99C.

Was it possible that the last digit is not a “0 but really a “C”?  It was and the 1L49C cuts are 1731. The correct key blank to use is the KP1 or 1041Y. To originate the key on the 1200CM, use code card C6.

Bad Installation

The door closer is installed onto a fire rated stairwell door on the main floor of a Chicago hotel adjacent to the check-in desk. The photo shows the door partially open. This door is often used by people who do not want to wait for the elevators. The hinge is on the right side of the door closer, which means the closer was mounted upside down. The door closer does, however, close the door.

In this position, the door closer was mounted too close to the hinge side. To ease the initial installation problem, the door arm was mounted towards the hinge. This put both arms in an almost parallel situation. This resulted in the door being really hard to open the first three or four inches. I guess the installer does not believe in reading installation instructions.

Something else to think about: since this is a fire rated opening, there are holes in the door face. Would you leave the holes untouched?

Clearing Interchangeable Core Burrs

Having trouble inserting tumbler pins into the interchangeable core? The problem could have been caused by the previous person securing the cap using too much pressure. Take a #34 (0.111" diameter) drill bit. Secure the solid end of the bit into a pair of locking pliers.

Carefully insert the tip into the pin chamber and slowly rotate the drill bit. The interchangeable core pin chambers are designed to accommodate a .108" diameter pin. The #34 drill bit is a slightly smaller than the pin chamber allowing the drill bit to move about within. The drill bit should be able to remove any obstructions without creating any new problems.

Key Pricing Revisited

I received information from a locksmith on how he prices his duplicate cylindrical keys. He determines the prices his competitors, K-Mart and any similar store, charge for standard keys. The choices have to do with their difficulty cutting working keys. He used their price for his standard key blanks, adding $1 for double-sided keys.

The example given was Kwikset and Schlage five-pin.

To determine if the profit margin was reasonable, he then determined the costs of his key blanks. The price of a Kwikset and Schlage key blank divided by the selling price of a duplicate key from his competitors worked out to be approximately 4.5 times increase.

He then applied this to his cost for each key blank above the cost of the KW1 or SC1 price. If his price for a key blank is $1, the customer will pay approximately $4.50. Every time he orders key blanks, he changes the pricing accordingly.

Important: Remember that most key cutters and non-locksmiths will not have the more expensive, limited market key blanks.

Jet iClone Introduced

Jet Hardware has introduced their iClone (Intelli-Clone) technology that is designed to clone Texas Instruments Fixed and Encrypted, and Philips Crypto 46 automotive transponder equipped keys. The Jet iClone provides the choice of using circuit board equipped electronics or a clonable transponder chip within a removable chip holder.

Jet offers more than twenty different blades that can be equipped with three different transponders.

For more information, contact your local locksmith wholesaler or Jet Hardware Mfg., Telephone: 855-COOL-KEYS (855-2665-5397).

Originating Honda/Acura Keys

When you obtain a key code from the Vehicle Identification Number using a service, the service provides the ten depths of cut for the five wafer tumblers. Depending upon the year, make, model and lock type of the high security locks using the K001-K999, L001-L999, M001-M999 and N001-N718, the wafer tumbler configurations vary. For many of the ignition locks, there may or may not be an addition half wafer.

For those ignition locks with a half wafer, the starting depth of cut from the blade is critical. From the introduction of the high security locks in the Acura and Honda, the cut in for the "A" and "B" sides of the key went from .352" to .241". A change occurred between somewhere around the 2006 and 2007 model year to .270". If the lock is equipped with the additional half wafer, this dimension must be correct or the ignition lock will not operate. The door and any other lock will probably operate.

This can be a problem when you are in a lost key situation and are not able to have a key to determine the basic configuration of the cuts.

If the key does not operate the ignition and operates the doors, etc., try cutting a second key with the shallower depth.

Remember: The blade on all four surfaces must be cut to a minimum depth of a number one cut. If not, the key will not enter into the keyway of the lock.

Car-Opening Techniques:  2005-12 Nissan Pathfinder

This month we will offer recommended car-opening techniques for the 2005-12 Nissan Pathfinder. The Pathfinder is equipped with bicycle style cables that prevent unlocking the vehicle using in the door tools. Note: The front door methods can be used on the Nissan Frontier pickup trucks in order to gain access.

Note: The passenger door power door lock control can be turned off. When attacking the power door lock control, use the driver’s door to gain entry.

The following opening methods can be used to unlock the 2005-12 Nissan Pathfinder:

Use the High Tech Tools Long Inside Access 89 Tool and a wedge to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Insert the wedge as far forward as possible. Insert the #89 car opening tool into the door cavity with the tip facing forward. Lower the tool and rotate when it is beneath the bottom of the window glass. Remove the wedge. Carefully raise the car-opening tool into the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tool until the tip is positioned in front of the manual or electric door lock button. Push the button to unlock the locking mechanism.

Use the Pro-Lok AO-35 MCOT Wide Tool and an inflatable wedge to unlock the rear passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the inflatable wedge five inches from the rear edge of the split window divider of the rear passenger door window. Inflate the wedge according to manufacturer’s instructions. Insert the hooked end of the AO-35 tool into the door cavity at six inches from the front edge of the window glass with the tip facing forward. Lower the AO-35 twelve inches. Rotate the tool Rotate the tool beneath the bottom of the window glass. Deflate the wedge. Lift the tool gradually until the tip is within the passenger compartment. Rotate the tool 80 degrees counterclockwise and position the tip against the manual lock-unlock button. Push the button rearward to unlock the door locking mechanism. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for warnings and removal of the tool.

Use the Slide Lock AutoBuster III car-opening tool. The AutoBuster III car opening tool requires two wedges forward and rearward of the inside lock-unlock assembly, having an opening large enough for the AutoBuster III tool to enter. Insert the AutoBuster III tool into the door cavity with the loop pointing to the rear of the vehicle. Lower the tool 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 within the passenger compartment. Manipulate the tool until the tip is over the power door lock control. The power door lock control is on the diagonal portion of the armrest. Push down on the lower edge of the rocker to unlock the door locking mechanism. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for warnings and removal of the tool.

Use the Tech-Train Productions TT-1025 car-opening tool and a wedge to unlock the front passenger door locking mechanism. Begin by inserting the wedge as far forward as possible. Carefully insert the TT-1025 tool into the opening behind the wedge with the upper bend facing forward. Lower the tool until the upper bend is beneath the bottom of the window glass. Carefully manipulate the tool until the upper bend moves up along the inside of the window glass. As soon as the upper bend is visible, remove the wedge. Slowly and carefully, raise the tool until the tip is in the passenger compartment, free of the weather stripping. Position the tip of the tool over the power door lock control. The power door lock control is on the upper portion of the armrest. Push down on the rear edge of the rocker to unlock the door locking mechanism. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for warnings and removal of the tool.

The direction to rotate 2005-12 Nissan Pathfinder driver’s door lock plug to the unlocked position is clockwise.

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: 1-800-323-8324. Fax : 305-635-1015. Website: www.hightechtools.com.

Pro-Lok, 655 North Hariton Street, 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.

Lockmasters Inc. (Tech Train), 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. Contact Jerry Levine, C/O Locksmith Ledger, 3030 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 200, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Fax: 847-454-2759. E-mail: [email protected].