There is rarely a day that goes by where I am not called to make keys for a house, business or car where the owner/driver misplaced the ones they had.

When it comes to cars, in addition to the usual players, we see tourists with their brains in neutral because they are on vacation and are driving a strange rental car plus are easily distracted. It's too easy to forget the routine of simply keeping track of your keys down here.

However, I'd like to address what I consider to be a great concept in home and business security... combination locks. Sure, many models of cars have had keypads on the doors for years, but they are seldom used anymore because keyfob remotes have taken over.

Our house uses keyless entry for obvious reasons:
1) I don't want to carry any more weight in my pockets than necessary
2) Lockouts don't happen in our family
3) I can change the combo in literal seconds, giving me the ability to give the neighbors a temporary code 'til no longer needed.
4) I can provide the combo over the phone to authorities in an emergency
5) Since I don't need to fumble with keys, it's easy to lock the door behind me when I leave, making it very convenient to secure the house.
6) Picking a combination deadbolt is impossible (no keyhole) and decoding the combination takes way too much time for any bad guy to stay and play. Very secure!

One can choose from the standard mechanical combination or the more sophisticated electronic combination deadbolts for their home or business. Mechanical locks, like Simplex and Digital Door Lock, uses no electricity and are extremely dependable. Electric combination locks by the popular manufacturers such as Kwikset and Schlage use batteries and usually have key overides (vulnerable to picking and dead batteries). Their upside is that more and more residential electronic locks can be operated with keyfob remotes.

Most residential combination deadbolts can be retrofitted into a standard door preparation with minor door modifications like an extra hole or two to be drilled.

My all time favorite deadbolt, even for light commercial use, is the Simples 7000 series, available in brass or brushed chrome finish. It's one of the less expensive combination deadbolts and has an extensive track record of dependability and security.

For heavier commercial uses, there are many more manufacturers and models such as IEI, Alarm Lock, Schlage Cobra, Simplex L1000 and 5000, to name a few.

Lastly, combination padlocks are now available for many uses from luggage to lockers to storage garages to bicycles. Most have resettable combinations and are weather resistant. Look for Master, CCL, and American for the better brands. Combinations can be the traditional dial type or the thumb-wheel. Most dial styles cannot be reset to a new combination.

Once you enjoy the convenience of a combination lock, it's pretty hard to go back to key-operated locks again.

KeyGuy, must a combination be used when exiting the house as well? I am concerned about making an emergency exit in case of fire.

No: That's the beauty of those locks.

From the outside, a combination must be used to unlock the deadbolt. To lock, just turn the knob.

From the inside, you turn the knob to lock or unlock... no code required.

(there are locks available that require codes from both sides, but they are for special applications)

Thanks! I'm going to check into these on the next payday!

Where are My Keys!!?


You are not the ONLY one who is having trouble finding the keys. In another thread ... Neil can't seem to find the computer keys either. But then he claims to be blind ... so I don't know.

What is it that you do KeyGuy?

pk

HEY KEYGUY

THANK YOU for the information


dgrimm60

Security Technician (old school name... Locksmith) Security Techs do more than locksmithing:
Access control... card swipe and electronic combination locks
Safes
Security systems
Video surveillance
High security applications

And the usual: automotive, residential, business, small gov't lock service

Here in Key West, M'lady and I work for a security and tow company that also has the AAA roadside contract, so when the tow guys are too busy, I will also do the jumpstarts, gas deliveries, tire changes. Variety is the spice of life. Tami is the owner's secretary/bookkeeper,

My wife and I also have 2 websites with 5 online stores, not including Amazon, and a security business up north.

Basically, I'm semi-retired in Paradise :)

HEY KEYGUY

WOW YOU seem to be busy

dgrimm60

Very much. Striking a good balance of proper time management is like hitting a moving target.