Twenty Years Ago
Jerry Levine reported on the Patio Intel-X sliding patio door locks. Charles Cole installed a key-operated Miwa SlideGUARD auxiliary lock for sliding patio doors. A second Jerry Levine article described four models of sliding patio door locks available from M.A.G. Engineering. Patio door locks from Master Lock were also the topic of an article. Bob Brokamp showed the installation steps required when installing an overhead door stop and a rim-mounted door closer in the same door opening. A second door closer article described the installation of an LCN 1070 series door closer. Gale Johnson provided technical information on the Medeco KeyMark product, described in Medeco literature as "not a high security lock as defined by Medeco standards ... but more for applications requiring key control only." Ed Hite posed his top ten interesting tongue-in-cheek questions about the problems with access control products. Locksmith Paul Heath showed the steps necessary when installing a mortise front door lockset in a new door. David Davis tackled the opening of a Gary Titan II safe. Jerry Levine wrote a good primer for beginning locksmiths on how to accurately originate keys. Louis George outlined some access control products available in that time period. Tom Gillespie showed how to unlock an Acura TL while Brian Barnes helped readers determine how to unlock GM cars by only knowing the body type. Milt Wolferseder showed his opening technique for Major record safes while Ken Dunckel explained how to force round lug-door safes by punching the bolt works.
Ten Years Ago
Tim O’Leary described the emergence of biometric technology. Tom Gillespie introduced the Herald Datanetics Limited fingerprint door lock. Where are they now? Rod Oden showed how to install an access control system on an aluminum storefront door. Our SHDA coverage in 2006 included interviews with Accredited Lock, Key Products and Security Plus. Kaba Ilco showed their new RW3 automotive cloning tool. Maureen Williams, D&D Technologies, offered the installation of D&D gate locks as an added profit center. Jerry Levine tested a Brinks Touch 'N Open Biometrics safe. Locksmith Ledger attended the Texas Locksmith Association (TLA) convention in Fort Worth, TX. 2006 ALOA President, Bob Mock, was interviewed by Steve Kaufman. A good interview to re-read. Tiny reported on the servicing problems associated with Chevrolet Cobalt ignition locks.
Maserati Marek?
Have you ever heard of a Maserati Marek? Several months ago we reported that Robin (Pappy) Torrence, a locksmith in North Carolina, was seeking assistance on how to service the ignition of this antique vehicle from 1975. The original ignition key would not rotate to the ON position. When it was learned that the steering column had to be taken out to remove the ignition lock, the owners decided to not proceed with the repairs.
Now after several months the car has been offered for sale and the ignition had to be repaired. With the ignition finally on the workbench, a roll pin retainer was extracted before the lock cylinder could be removed. After all these years it was found that there was a factory flaw. A top pin was missing in the first space. The driver spring had been directly actuating the bottom pin and finally became bent out of shape and the bottom pin was no longer moved to the shearline. Obviously this special car has not been driven too often in the last 40 years.
