California Under Lock & Key

It’s important to remember that the most common residential locks and deadbolts won’t do much against someone who wants to kick in the door. When you need a lock that can get the job done for your business, we’re always happy to help.

In some businesses you want to limit access by the public. A locksmith can install an electronic access control system that allows employees to enter areas with the use of a code, but keeps customers out until the business owner such as a doctor, lawyer or dentist is ready to see them.

It’s important to remember that your interior and exterior doors may not be the only things that lock in your building. If your business keeps a safe or vault on the premises, it’s smart to have us change the combination for you on a regular basis.

Need a locksmith? Sooner or later, it happens to every driver. We’re in a rush, get distracted or change our routine, and before we realize it, we’re outside the car, the windows are closed, the doors are locked and our keys are trapped inside.

Did you know that Studebaker cars from the 1950s caused a great deal of problems for locksmiths of the time? Door cylinders in this model were held by an internal retainer, and the door skin was so narrow that a human hand couldn’t fit, necessitating the use of a special tool.

Ever heard the term "key relevance"? It refers to the minor differences between a master key and the copies made from it. If you've ever had a key copy not work as well as the original, you know that there can be a significant variance in key relevance across multiple copies. That's why it's always a good idea to test new keys immediately.

Do you know that in early America, locks were more commonly used to keep particular belongings safe than to lock up houses and other buildings?

In the world of locksmiths, a slim jim has no nutritional value. Instead, one of the most common tools used by locksmiths to open a locked car door is called a slim jim, or slim shim.

Many cars today are equipped with transponder keys, which contain computer chips that communicate with the car. When these chips fail, the key will not start the car. Our locksmiths can fabricate and program a new key for you.

Have you moved into a home with a wall safe? Experts say these safes are great because they can’t simply be picked up and taken by thieves. However, make sure you have a locksmith change the lock to the safe as a security precaution.

A crime can occur just about anywhere on your facility, but some areas are used as points of entry more than others. Locations you may not have adequately secured are: transportation docks, parts supply areas, staging areas, secondary warehouse structures, supply rooms and offices.

Do you have a safe at home or for a business that you think may be compromised? We can change the combination of your safe, something you may want to do on a regular basis as a safety precaution.

Thinking of adding a padlock or two to your security setup? This may be to secure a shed, warehouse entrance or dumpster. If you opt for padlocks that use keys, prefer models that can be rekeyed to your existing locks. That way you can save yourself having to carry (and distribute) an additional facility key.

On many modern cars, keys have computer chips that are tuned to the computer system of the vehicle. When the key is lost, new keys need to be coded to the car’s lock and ignition systems technology that modern locksmith’s employ.

What are the advantages of laser-cut automotive keys over traditional die-punch mechanical keys? Laser-cut keys offer a much higher level of security they are harder to pick and require specialized tools and software to develop, so they are more difficult to replicate. Laser-cut keys too can fit a car’s ignition from any angle, which makes it easier to place them in the ignition switch.

So why are tubular locks so much more difficult to pick than pin tumbler and wafer tumbler locks? Instead of one row of pins, tubular locks have pins positioned all the way around the circumference of the cylinder plug, making them much more difficult to figure out.

The words "burglary" and "robbery" are often used interchangeably, but they actually mean different things. Burglary involves entering an uninhabited structure without permission. For a crime to be a robbery, a person (other than the perpetrator) must be involved.

It is possible for your car keys to become worn down to the point that they no longer work in your door or ignition. Worse yet, they could become weak and break in the lock. If your keys look like they have seen better days, come in for a new set.

Bumping is one of the latest methods criminals use to foil pin and tumbler locks. A bumping tool works somewhat like a master key. At one time, locksmiths routinely used bumping tools to get locks opened fast.

According to the FBI, nearly 40 percent of all house or shed burglaries involved doors that were not locked. Remember that some burglars watch neighborhoods to pick up patterns to make breaking into homes easier.

We are not only experts in picking a lock and duplicating keys. But, we also understand the different types of locks and the mechanics of how they work. This knowledge is extremely important for ensuring security.

While conceptually, the lock picking process is quite simple, it is actually a very difficult skill to master. Locksmiths spend many years learning exactly the right pressure to apply and what sounds to listen for to get a lock open.

Did you know that laser cut automobile keys are also known as sidewinder keys? This is a reference to the distinctive winding cut of the shank. This type of key also features a built-in transponder chip that will need to be reprogrammed in the case of a replacement.

Some building codes prohibit the use of double cylinder deadbolt locks on exterior doors because they present a fire hazard. To address this issue, some manufacturers offer a "captured key" deadbolt, with a removable thumb-turn that can be removed when no one is home.

Did you know that laser cut car keys are also called sidewinder or internal cut keys? What distinguishes these key from mechanical car keys is that they have blunt or square edges with identical cuts on both flat sides, meaning they will fit a car’s ignition either way.

Is the lock on your car broken? While it may be tempting to try to repair it yourself, the best thing to do is to contact a locksmith who specializes in car locks. He or she can take care of the problem in a few minutes so you can avoid spending hours trying to fix it.

One convenient way to manage the locks at your facility is with a master key. A master key can open multiple locks and will also work with a system of other keys that can only open some locks. That way one key, your key, can open everything, but the operations key, say, can only open the warehouse and front gate.

Did you realize a car alarm is one of the biggest theft deterrents on a vehicle? Alarms aren't always included on new vehicles, so check before you buy and consider adding this important antitheft feature if your current vehicle isn't equipped with an alarm.

When you’re installing new locks in your home, it’s smart to change all the entry doors at once. Let’s talk about your options for new locks when you want all your doors to utilize the same key. Depending on the types of doors you have, this could limit your options.

Were you aware that a high security lock is fundamentally different from a conventional cylinder or mortise style lock? It utilizes a special keyway and cylinder that's very effective at discouraging tampering.

The earliest found lock with key utilized a pin tumbler principle that is used in many modern locks. The key was dated to the 8th century BC and found in the ruins of Emperor Sargon II’s palace in Khorsabad of the Assyrian Empire.

Patented locking systems offer an added level of security to your shop or manufacturing facility. It's difficult to duplicate keys for these types of systems without proper authorization, which will act as a preemptive deterrent to the average thief.

You may not realize that someone tried to steal your vehicle until your key breaks off in the ignition, which has been tampered with. This doesn't have to affect your schedule or force you to wait inside a car dealership for houses. An auto locksmith can repair or replace the ignition lock cylinder.

Some advanced electronic locks can actually allow you to issue individual passcodes to authorized users and will record each time a specific code is used. This kind of lock is perfect for a safe or other location where highly valuable or sensitive items are stored and access is restricted.

A magnetic lock functions by using electricity and magnetism to create a strong seal. Here's how it works: The magnet is attached to an electrical source and installed on the inside of the door opening. When in proximity to the door plate and engaged, it creates a strong magnetic seal.

The use of locks to secure valuables became increasingly popular throughout the 19th century. In the U.S., mass production of various types of locking systems began in the 1840’s.

We can help with key replacement for more vehicles than just cars. We can provide service for motorcycles, pickup trucks, semi-tractors, vans, and probably your boat. Call and let us know the problem, and we will take care of the rest.

Modern cars often have a transponder chip in both the key and the car. The chips must connect to each other for the car to start. When there's a problem with this connection, the key has to be reprogrammed. A trained locksmith can take care of this so you can get back on the road quickly.

Newer automobiles use sophisticated electronic locking systems. This means better security for the car owner but can be frustrating when problems arise. Because locks are sensitive and complex, most experts warn against trying to force an electronic car lock yourself.

It’s important to remember that the longer you wait to change your company’s locks after an employee mentions they might have lost their keys, the more at risk your business is. Rather than hoping they turn up soon, let’s err on the side of caution by changing the locks now.

The name Schlage is often seen on some of the keys and locks we use today. It is the name of the man who invented cylindrical pin-tumbler locks in the 1920s, Walter Schlage.

While we will gladly come to your car to let you in when you lock your keys inside, you do not have to have to bring your car to us if you lose or misplace its keys. Have someone bring you in and we will get the necessary information and outfit you with a new set.

One part of a secure door is the lock and the deadbolt that is part of the mechanism. But a pressed-wood door with even the strongest lock can be easily defeated. A heavy wood or metal door offers the most protection.

It's common to call a locksmith to help you out when you lock your keys in the car. However, locksmiths offer a variety of automotive services, from duplicating a lost key to extracting a broken ignition key from the lock cylinder.

Many early cars had no locking systems installed on them. It was considered unnecessary at the time. Cars were so rare, and their owners were so affluent, manufacturers thought their vehicles would be closely monitored most of the time.

How can you make sure your workers are signing for the proper hours even when there are no supervisors around? An access card system, easily installed by a commercial locksmith, can indicate who entered or left an office and at what time.

Did you know that American Linus Yale Jr., a mechanical engineer and lock manufacturer, patented a cylinder pin-tumbler lock in 1861? The following year in 1862, Yale invented the modern combination lock.

Locks and deadbolts are a good way to secure your business, but there are other steps you can take as well. Employees should be properly trained on cash handling and security measures. Also, make sure employees are instructed to report any doors that don’t lock properly, or broken windows, right away.

A problem with your vehicle that requires a locksmith is something that doesn’t regularly happen. That's why it's important to know who to call if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle or with a broken car in an isolated area late at night.

Mechanical car door locks have been popular for decades, but they're vulnerable to a particular type of master key that can open most mechanical locks easily. Care to guess what this key is called? If you guessed that it's called a "bump" key, you're right.

Did you know that "lock picking" refers to the manipulation of any lock by an instrument or tool other than the intended key? Burglars normally need two tools (a pick and tension wrench) to manipulate a pin tumbler lock.

Are you concerned that calling a locksmith to help you get your keys out of your locked car will be too expensive? Remember, using a professional that won’t cause excess damage to your vehicle in the unlocking process is always less expensive than having to have repair work done after a friends mangles something.

Lock-related issues seem to happen long after locksmith shops have closed. Whether it's a key locked in a car or one broken off in your front door, it's a great idea to choose a 24-hour locksmith before the next emergency strikes.

You may want to consider card-access systems for some or all of your company. These can be installed by a commercial locksmith, and in addition to keep out strangers, card access systems can help you keep track of your employees.

Having many different locks on the doors of your house can be frustrating because it means you have to carry and keep track of different keys. As long as the locks are the same brand, a locksmith can usually rekey them all to be opened with the same key.

Locksmiths specializing in cars and their locks and keys are better equipped to help you than the key maker in the hardware store, drugstore post office, or five-and-dime. We have ready access to all key data so we can look up, find, and then cut the right configuration for your car.

It is a good idea to review your security protocols periodically. During this process, check your facility door keys to make sure they all keys are accounted for. If you discover some keys are missing, have your locks changed immediately.

The actual car lock mechanisms are located behind metal door panels and incredibly hard to see, not to mention the tumblers and pins of the lock. That's why auto locksmiths are so experienced with locks that they can unlock them by feel.

While inexpensive locks can look great on the outside, when it comes down to it they provide little actual protection. In protecting your business, you want a lock made of quality materials that’s going to resistant everyday lock picking tools.

Did you know that many newer types of car models have a protective ‘Slim Jim plate’ to keep car thieves from using Slim Jims to break into cars? Cars with this type of protective plate must be opened with other types of tools including wires and airbags to avoid damaging the doors.

The first locking system that required a key was invented in 1778 by Robert Barron of Britain. A key made especially for the lock was needed to raise a pair of tumblers to the proper height.