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Extract a Broken Key with the HPC EZ-1 Saw Blade Key Extractor Do you know how to extract a broken key using the HPC EZ-1 Saw Blade Key Extractor? Here we’ll show you how! The main difference between the Saw tooth and the spiral key extractor is that the way you use each of them to extract a key is different. While you’d want to get the spiral extractor into one of the grooves of the key to get a good grip and be able to twist it out, you wouldn’t want that with a saw blade extractor. Insert the...

Extract a Broken Key with the HPC EZ-5 Key Extractor Locksmiths usually have to deal with broken keys. The HPC EZ-5 spiral Key Extractor is a great tool to rely on when working on this problem. The HPC EZ-5 spiral Key Extractor has a metal bar with spirals on it that help to grip the key. The pattern is set so twisting the extractor pulls the jammed object up, which is great for key extraction. The second part of this tool is the pressed on brass handle, which is great when you need to get a little aggressive as it...

Shim a Lock Easy & Fast Sometimes, learning the technique of shimming can be difficult and quite often the reason why a person is unable to shim a lock is because the shim is getting damaged as they’re trying to shim. As a result, the shim will not go through the lock, thus causing a lot of problems. So, if you’re having these types of problems you should definitely look at the shim holder. This is just a very basic device but let me tell you how it works and how it can make it easier to shim. The first...

How to Change the Handing on Adams Rite DeadLatch Locks Have you ever needed a left or right-handed lock and only had the opposite? No problem! Here you’ll learn how to switch the handing on Adams Rite and alike Dead Latch locks for aluminum storefront doors. You’ll discover how easy it is to swap the handing on these so you only have to stock one handing as you’ll have the confidence to switch it out as needed. This will allow you to stock less and have a greater return on your investment. So, here we go... Step 1: Remove the...

Spin Out Mortise Cylinder Screwdriver by Keedex Constantly stripping screws on mortise cylinders? Use this tool to help. The Spin Out Mortise Cylinder Screwdriver by Keedex is great for those hard to remove tail pieces as it features a screwdriver with an oversized handle for extra torque. With four sizes of interchangeable screwdriver bits, 2 Slotted and 2 Phillips it will sure make rekeying mortise cylinders easier and faster. The Spin Out Mortise Cylinder Screwdriver by Keedex comes with a base and a pad to protect the mortise cylinder from any damage; you just have to remove the adhesive paper...

How Construction Keying Works Have you ever heard the term "Construction Keying"? Or PK Balls and wondered what they were? No problem, this video will walk you step by step. Construction keying is when a contractor would have one key that is going to open many different projects at the same time. It makes it really easy for them in terms of key management, but as soon as they are done doing construction and they hand the customer the key for house and they put it in the lock and they turn it, it is going to lock out the...

Let's face it, some keys are hard to identify. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the key you have in stock has the same key profile. Will it work? Not sure? Don't worry we have all stared down the profile of a key wondering, do I have the right key? The Pro-Lok LT300 Keycheck was designed for this exact reason! The Pro-Lok LT300 Keycheck helps locksmiths clearly identify the proper key profile to make sure, when you’re duplicating an existing key, that it is going to work. This is especially important nowadays as there are many off brand and imported...

The ILCO Speed 040 Key Duplicator is a must-have tool for professional locksmiths that need to choose between automatic and manual operation to add versatility to their services. One of the most outstanding features of the ILCO Speed 040 Key Duplicator are the four way jaws that allow locksmiths to accommodate any kind of key they need to duplicate, whether they are working on a padlock key, a commercial, residential or automotive key. If you need to switch these jaws around to get the key clamped on there perfectly, you just have to loosen the left-hand knob and pull up on the...

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.  ...