For an experienced locksmith, uPVC door lock repairs are usually a straightforward swap of a centre case or fitting a replacement mechanism. Every so often there a small complications that can make this job a little trickier and have you scratching your head and puzzled.
I thought I would share a few scenarios with my fellow locksmiths to see if you have had a similar experience. If not you will sure know what to look for when you do encounter it.
Lockmaster/Paddocks Centre Case Replacements
Have you ever swapped the centre case on a Mila-master/Lockmaster/Paddocks mechanism and found that upon lifting the handle the top hook and bolt will only protrude 95% of the way? This makes it impossible to throw the lock by turning the key.
After much head scratching I solved this mystery which has led me to order a complete locking strip in the past.
The followers on these strips connect to the centre case via a 90 degree bend which drops into a slot inside the gearbox. Continual forcing can cause this 90 degree bend to stretch which in turn throws the top hook slightly out of sync.
To repair clamp behind the bend and tap back into a 90 degree angle and refit the centre case.
Fuhr Lockcases Working But Not Opening
So you installed a new Fuhr mechanism and check it all works, however the door is not opening despite the key unlocking and the handles working as normal.
Sometimes the pins in the lock bolt have not been sealed properly and upon throwing the bolt they can slide out of the end, effectively extending the bolt length.
Resist forcing the door open and using a spreader, shuffle them back inside the lock bolt.
Peen over the ends and/or glue the pins in place to make good.
About Turn Locks Epsom
Unjamming Mechs Without Working Handles
When the spindle gear is broken or missing from a upvc door lock you can effectively unlock it with the key but have no real way to retract the bolts and hooks.
If you have access internally you can remove the handles and retract the bolts with an L shaped wire in the hole the gear sits.
When faced with a lock out situation I have found the best method to retract the hooks is to locate the position of the bottom most locking point using a mica card and then spread the door slightly at that point.
Using a bent screwdriver/wire, manually force the bolts or hooks back inside the lock case.
Since it is all connected all of the bolts will retract with it except for the latch piece which is easily popped with mica or a flat steel prising bar.
Showing posts with label locksmiths blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label locksmiths blog. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Five Locksmith Tricks & Tips | Locksmith Blog
Working as a self employed locksmith brings new challenges every day.
Seldom are two jobs the same and there are always head scratching moments when encountering a new lock problem.
Most of a locksmith's knowledge is gained through solving these problems and discovering new techniques to make life easier next time around.
Here are five random tips & tricks I have discovered over the years that may be of benefit to you and your locksmith business:
1/ Drilling into a lever pack
When drilling a lock case lever pack side, you can prevent the tip of the drill burring up the levers by using a flat tipped drill bit for the final penetration. Bending or damaging that front lever can cause a world of pain so a quick swap of the drill bits is well worth practicing!
2/ Planning ahead
Before setting out on your lockout job, quickly log into Google Maps and find the address then take a closer look at the door. This helps in recognising the property which may be harder to spot on a dark night but also lets you take a good guess at the types of lock to expect. Its surprising how many customers describe something completely different on the phone.
3/ Check all doors and windows
When attending a lock out you should weigh up all your options before commencing work, particularly destructive openings. Occasionally there are other doors and windows already unlocked that are overlooked by the panicking customer and the majority of the time the alternative doors have weaker security or keys still inside the lock. Why fight against the heavily secured main door?
4/ Mortice keys that just spin 360 degrees
A common problem with lever deadlocks is the curtain or bolt tail breaking off through excessive force and the main symptom would be a key spinning all the way without unlocking the door. Since you have the key to hand you can insert and turn to 180 degrees to align the levers with the bolt stump. Access the bolt with a tidy hole or through the door-frame gap to manually inch the bolt open.
5/ Millenco uPVC mechanisms (submitted by Locksmith Walsall)
When changing a cylinder on a Millenco mechanism in a upvc door, always remember to use the smaller retaining screw and never the new one supplied with the cylinder. A screw that is too long will enter too far into the lock case and prevent parts from moving, worst case scenario results in a bent mechanism! A costly mistake that you don't want to make.
Five completely random tips for locksmiths. I hope to share some more in the future.
Mike: Huddersfield Locksmiths
Seldom are two jobs the same and there are always head scratching moments when encountering a new lock problem.
Most of a locksmith's knowledge is gained through solving these problems and discovering new techniques to make life easier next time around.
Here are five random tips & tricks I have discovered over the years that may be of benefit to you and your locksmith business:
1/ Drilling into a lever pack
When drilling a lock case lever pack side, you can prevent the tip of the drill burring up the levers by using a flat tipped drill bit for the final penetration. Bending or damaging that front lever can cause a world of pain so a quick swap of the drill bits is well worth practicing!
2/ Planning ahead
Before setting out on your lockout job, quickly log into Google Maps and find the address then take a closer look at the door. This helps in recognising the property which may be harder to spot on a dark night but also lets you take a good guess at the types of lock to expect. Its surprising how many customers describe something completely different on the phone.
3/ Check all doors and windows
When attending a lock out you should weigh up all your options before commencing work, particularly destructive openings. Occasionally there are other doors and windows already unlocked that are overlooked by the panicking customer and the majority of the time the alternative doors have weaker security or keys still inside the lock. Why fight against the heavily secured main door?
4/ Mortice keys that just spin 360 degrees
A common problem with lever deadlocks is the curtain or bolt tail breaking off through excessive force and the main symptom would be a key spinning all the way without unlocking the door. Since you have the key to hand you can insert and turn to 180 degrees to align the levers with the bolt stump. Access the bolt with a tidy hole or through the door-frame gap to manually inch the bolt open.
5/ Millenco uPVC mechanisms (submitted by Locksmith Walsall)
When changing a cylinder on a Millenco mechanism in a upvc door, always remember to use the smaller retaining screw and never the new one supplied with the cylinder. A screw that is too long will enter too far into the lock case and prevent parts from moving, worst case scenario results in a bent mechanism! A costly mistake that you don't want to make.
Five completely random tips for locksmiths. I hope to share some more in the future.
Mike: Huddersfield Locksmiths
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