When you pick a lock and the key is left on the inside you may get what we call a spinner in that the core turns but its not turning the cam to open the door. This is how we deal with spinners by picking up the cam.

The customer was locked out of a front composite door. Even though the key was unlocking the door the hooks and bolt were not retracting. I gained entry to the back door by picking before opening the failed lock on the front door using the bottom spindle of the double spindle gearbox. Replacing the failed gearbox did the trick and door now functioning and locking correctly.

The TSS is a 6 pin euro cylinder found in the UK, it has 2 spool pins and a quick go at hand raking didnt work on this however a 6 pin universal bump key was effective. These bump keys still have the shoulder on and so are not really suitable to use with rubber rings etc but are easier to duplicate on a machine.

When replacing garage door T Handles found on older type up and over garage doors its important to know the difference between the square spindle ones and the diamond spindle ones. Although both look square one spindle type will not fit the other.

We often get calls from customers saying that their upvc or composite door lock is not working correctly. In order to work out whether its the lock or door alignemnt thats the problem we ask them to open the door if they can before lifting the handle up and locking the door. If this works then we then know the problem is not the lock but the door alignment. If it doesnt work then you know its the multipoint lock thats at fault and you can quote accordingly.

We often disable the snib function for those who have a dementia type illness who are either locking people out eg relatives and carers and or those who are putting on the snib and forgetting to lock the door at night which is a further security risk. This video shows the inside of a nightlatch and what we do to disable the snib.

One of our jobs was to open a garage door euro cylinder after the customers friend had already made a unsuccessful attempt. I used a draper multitool and 3mm burr to take out the pins that was left in the lock and drilled a 6mm hole at the top so I could use a screwdriver to turn the lock and open the door. The euro was actually a double euro cylinder which was correctly replaced with a Half euro cylinder.

The old Roto 2 hook MVD is now no longer made (Obsolete) and the usual suggestion for replacing these locks when they fail is a three piece repair lock. However by accident ive discovered that the Fuhr 2 hook 2 roller is nearly an exact replacement for the Roto. With drilling off the rollers and slight adjustments to the hook box hole at the bottom of the door and adjusting the latch and bolt keep the Fuhr was a good choice making it a far easier replacement than a repair lock.

Tension tools are so important just as much as picks. Locks with smaller keyways make it more difficult to pick simply becuase of the lack of space for a tension tool and pick. Its always best to have a selection of tension tools for smaller and larger keyways.

The S & L Smith and Locke brand is manufactured for Screwfix in the UK and hence locksmiths are often coming across this particular lock due to its availability to the general public and trades. The euro cylinder version is normally 6 pin with anti pick pins (at least 2 spool pins). Key to picking this lock due to the spool pins is very light tension.

British Standard Mortice Locks also commonly known as "chubb locks" have been a feature on many doors for a number of years. This video explains how they work and the options available to locksmiths when opening them without keys. The video was provided by our locksmith tutor/assessor/Iqa Derek.

Upvc window locks have a number of parts which if not working ocrrectly can cuase the window lock to fail so that you may not be able to lock the window or open the window. The attached video provided by our lockmsmith tutor/assessor Derek explains the different parts or the window lock mechanism.

Often when you take out or renew house insurance policies the company will ask if youre wooden doors have BS3621 Locks fitted. This is referring to British Standard Mortice Locks the video by our locksmith tutor Derek helps to explain what to look for.

Did you know that some nightlatches can be deadlocked ? the video describes how to check if a customers nightlatch can be deadlocked from the outside for extra security

When a customer phones about a problematic upvc door. There is a easy way of checking whether its a door alignment or a failing multipoint lock simply ask the customer to open the door (if possible) and then try locking the door whilst its open. If the locking works correctly you know the door needs aligning.