Twenty Years Ago
Jerry Levine visited the La Gard factory and reported on their past, present and future lock products. Shane Crosby suggested some necessary small tools for locksmiths. Jerry Levine also reported on a new AMSEC digital safe lock. David Davis showed how to open an I.S.M. cash vault. Ken Dunckel provided an overview of what a beginning safe technician should know. A listing of the variety of key blanks for Mazda was printed. Hubert Curry suggested the Strong Arm drilling rig as a helpful safe service accessory. Lever locks were the subject of a pictorial article. Gale Johnson installed a Protectore lever handle kit. Vaughan Armstrong provided assistance in identifying the manufacturer of old safes. Louis George wrote a historical background on lever handle locks. Aaron Fish offered Part 1 of a series on the emergence of transponders car keys. James Glazier installed a Unican L1000 lockset. Ray Menard continued his series on recurring revenue. Ed Hite explained when to use electromagnetic locks on gates. T.C. Mickley explained the use of safe deposit locks. David Davis opened an Armor floor safe. Hubert Curry described the GunVault safe product lineup. Milt Wolferseder serviced a Canon gun safe.
Ten Years Ago
Electronic access control was the topic for the month. Cansec reported on their Zodiac Lite biometric system. A special report showed how to have a fork lift operate an automatic door opener. Jerry Levine installed an electrified Sargent exit device. Tim O’Leary reviewed a Kaba Power Lever Prox 9000. Jerry Levine tested a Codelocks CL5000 lockset. A history of Chrysler double-sided automotive locks was presented. Tom Gillespie looked at various auto lockout tools. Steve Young showed ways to unlock vehicles which have power door locks. Schlage wrote a success story on securing a North Carolina hospital. Billy Edwards showed the new Master Fusion lock product group. Gale Johnson repaired an antique bit lock. Jerry Levine programmed a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu transponder key. Tiny showed how to service Chevrolet Cobalt locks. Locksmith Ledger printed an interesting interview with Tom Demont.
No Key Blank Available
A furniture company called Design Options went out of business while leaving locksmiths with a problem. Cam locks used on Design Options furniture have an unusual keyway and use a KN code series. Usually some aftermarket wafer key blank can be found when a cam lock comes in for key fitting but not in this case. A projection at the bottom of the keyway prevents every available wafer blank from entering.
One locksmith sent a cam lock with key code KN43 to Locksmith Ledger asking for assistance. We found that a Y11 blank can be used if the bottom edge of the blank is removed. This was accomplished with a milling machine but the edge could also be removed by hand filing.
