Seattle's Maple Leaf Locksmith LLC – (206)335-4559

Author: Bjørn Madsen

  • Safes should just work

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    I got called out to fix a safe last week. Normally this wouldn’t be newsworthy but this time it was because I was the second safe technician to show up that day. The first one told the customer that they must continue hitting the safe door with a hammer to close it or get it…

  • New developments in locks and technology

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    There has been proof of concept attacks to take control of vehicles by getting access to the can bus but this is an interesting sign that the criminal underworld has begun distributing a tool for stealing cars in a way that bypasses the ECU and immobilizer by directly accessing the car’s local network, as it…

  • Sometimes doors sag because of negligence

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    There are many reasons for doors not shutting correctly. Loose hinges, frames not connected to anything, pivot hinges wearing out. Today I encountered one that was heretofore alien to me: negligent installation. There were maybe 30 holes on this continuous hinge and the people who installed it only tapped and installed about six or seven…

  • How to get Yale 1520 exit device to work correctly

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    This is just what I did, I’m not recommending it because it might void the warranty and fire rating if this is 1520f and lawyers etc etc, you are the captain of your own boat in life. You have to remove any play in the top rod by adding a cotter pin or roll pin…

  • New developments in lock security

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    For years people have asked me if they need to replace their locks with ones that are more resistant to lockpicking. Until now I have always said that unless it is known that you have things highly desirable to thieves, a standard five pin Schlage deadbolt is probably good enough. Until now except rarely thieves…

  • Rate Increases Coming

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    Inflation and increasing amount of travel time due to increasing number of drivers and decreasing traffic infrastructure means it is time to raise rates. I realized I was undercharging a lot, 50% less than many of my colleagues. I have now updated pricing to 10% under market rate. I will continue to provide documentation for…

  • Veto Propac zipper separation problem fix

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    I am a happy owner of my third Veto Propac and still have my last one because it still sort of works but the zipper comes apart which is concerning if you are walking over grass, you might leave a trail of very expensive tools behind you without hearing them fall out! I took the…

  • Getting a Weslock to use Schlage SC1 key

    Getting a Weslock to use Schlage SC1 key

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    you have to drill or grind out the top of the cylinder housing where the bible goes a little bit.

  • Nanawall Multipoint Lock Cylinders Don’t Use Normal Pins

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    Before considering getting a “Nanawall” installed here are some pitfalls for you to consider. TLDR: use SFIC pins or reuse the bottom pins in a different configuration. The Nanawall appears to be a well constructed door, my issues are with the lock cylinder itself. The main problems with this lock cylinder are that it is…

  • Interlock multipoint sliding door locks

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    Bjørn Madsen
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    Sliding door locks are notoriously crappy. Usually it is just one little hook holding the door shut and customers think that hook is going to keep them safe. Well I’m here to tell you that it won’t. Aside from the obvious shattering of the entire door a large screwdriver can pry the door away from…