News

How to Shim a Lock Lock shimming is a technique that professional locksmiths use when they need to open a lock cylinder without a key. It is important to mention that this is not an opening technique, meaning that if a client gets locked out of their house and we needed to gain entry, this isn’t a technique for that. Lock shimming is a technique for once you’ve already gained entry and you’re taking the locks off the doors to rekey or make a key for them.   There are only two items required to shim a lock. On the...

Cylinder Servicing - Step by Step Guide The three main goals of this step by step guide are to teach you about disk cylinders like the cam lock style, pin tumbler cylinders and Schlage wafer locks. In all cases, we’re going to discuss the design, its parts, how to key them, common service malfunctions and a now you do it section.   This guide is part of CLK’s locksmiths professional training program but you can purchase this chapter individually. Hands-on learners will appreciate having tool kits available to practice what they’ve learned and read about in the different chapters.  ...

One of the most popular questions we get asked at CLK Supplies, LLC is how to correctly determine the length of a Mortise Cylinder that I need. In most cases, you’ll have a Mortise Cylinder that you’ll be replacing so that it is easier for you to tell the length of the one you have and the tailpiece you need. Mortise Cylinders come in three different sizes: 1" 1 1/8" 1 1/4". The part numbers are: M-100 for a 1” M-118 for a 1 ⅛” M-114 for a 1 ¼” The standard applications for these would be:   1” Mortise...

Have you ever wondered about the difference between a KW1 and a KW10? Have you ever wanted to know how to turn a KW1 into a KW10 key if needed? If you grab a KW1 and a KW10 key you’ll see that the former is a 5 pin key while the latter is a 6 pin key. Typically, the difference between keys that have the same grooving, the same key shape is going to be the blade length. That said, the KW10 should have a longer blade on it for 6 pins. Now, this is true for the SC1 and...

  Whether you’ve thought about it before or not, using a standard spray to clean or lubricate a lock is not the most efficient method to do so. Standard spray straws are directed at the back of the lock while the lock straw eliminates waste and directs the cleaner or lubricant where it is needed the most: on the wafers and wafer chambers. In order to use the Lock Straw, remove the standard straw and replace it with the lock straw. Make sure that the yellow lines are located in such a way that the lubricant or cleaner goes to...

Changing a shackle on any Abus 83 series padlocks is not a very difficult task. Remember that, whichever shackle your current padlock has, it can be replaced with any 1” long, 2” long, 3” long, 4” long or 6” long shackle that you can find at our online store. The first thing you’ll need to do is pop open the padlock. In order to do so, insert the key and open it. Once you have it open you’ll see a Phillips screw at the bottom of the shackle hole. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove it. This is going to...

The Silca Futura Auto Electronic Key Machine by ILCO is an innovative addition to the business of any professional locksmith that works with automotive keys on a regular basis. The Silca Futura Auto Electronic Key Machine can cut automotive keys or duplicate them with amazing precision. This electronic key cutting machine comes with one cutting station and two interchangeable clamps for duplicating and originating all types of automotive keys, from motorcycles to heavy trucks and anything in between. The database also includes information related to any additional key used in a car: glove boxes, roof racks, etc. It’s a remarkable...

Citiloc is the brand of Grade 3 knobs that we have for sale at CLK Supplies, LLC since 2004. They have proven to be beautifully designed and a great value for their price. These knobs can be pinned up to OEM specs for Kwikset or Schlage and they can be master keyed. One of the frequent questions we get at CLK Supplies, LLC is how do we take Citiloc knobs apart to rekey them. In this article, we’re going to take you step by step through the process. You’ll learn how to take the entrance knob or even the lever...

The Pro 8 In 1 Key Gauge is one of those tools that professional locksmiths simply need to have at their locksmith shop. It’s more like a Swiss army knife as this key gauge has three different spots to remove C clips, a detent pusher and it helps locksmiths decode the 8 more popular types of keys: Kwikset, Schlage, Weiser, Yale, Arrow, Weslock, Master, and SFIC A2 in the USA. If you are new to the business or you haven’t used a key gauge before, let’s see how this great Pro 8 In 1 Key Gauge works.Anytime you have a...

Toyota Split Wafer Ignitions are known to fail. Follow this step by step technique if you need to take them apart to repair or rekey. You will find it handy whether you are using a brand new OEM ignition, an aftermarket ignition or even one that is used inside the vehicle. There are two main applications you will need to do this to: on the one hand, if the split wafers are failing (which is a common problem) or, on the other hand, if you get aftermarket ignition. In the first case, you will need to take this ignition apart...