All posts by Simon Blatz

4 Ways to Identify your Keys and Locks

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This page is to help you identify your keys and locks for us over the phone so we may come out with the correct locks and keys to take care of your needs. Below is a step by step process, a video and images to help you identify your keys and locks.

Identification Methods

1) Name on the key or Lock: Kwikset or Schlage are the most common residential locks and keys. They can be stamped with their full name on the head of the key or face of the lock

2) Name Abbreviation: Kwikset is “KW” and Schlage is “SC” The most common keyways are KW1 & SC1. They are typically stamped on the key, see video of images below.

3) Name on the lock latch: look at the edge of your door on the latch for a name.

4) Key Head Shape: The majority of Kwikset and Schlage keys use different head shapes. See video.

Video: 3 ways to identify your hour keys and locks

If you need help identifying your keys or locks give us a call at 541.632.3968

Identifying – Left Hand Vs Right Hand Doors

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Have you needed to identify the handing of a door before? This is common when ordering or looking at hardware that is not multi handed or field changable. Below we will walk you through the different handing options and how to identify which handing you need.

There are four types of door handings:

– Right Hand (RH)
– Left Hand (LH)
– Right Hand Reverse (RHR)
– Left Hand Reverse (LHR)

The easiest way to identify which handing your door has it to do the following:

(1) Standing / Viewing Position:
(a)Stand in front of the door, building or room as you are going to enter, or go inside the space. This should also be the keyed side, where you can put in a key.
(b) Stand where you can put in the key.

(2) Identification- Right or Left – Hinges
(a) Look at the location of the hinges. Are they are on your left side or right side?
(b)If the hinges are on your left side, it is a left handed door.
(c)If the hinges are on your right side, it is a right handed door.

(3) Standard or Reverse Handed – Push in or Pull Out
Following #1: make sure you are entering not exiting.

(a) If you push in the door as you enter, it is a standard swinging door.
(b) If you have to pull the door towards you to enter, it is a reverse swinging door.

Here is a diagram illustrating the above:

left-hand-vs-right-hand-door
Image credit: Cal-Royal

If you need additional assistance in identifying the handing of your door, just call us at 541.632.3968.

3 Ways to Prevent Locking Keys in Car While Warming it up

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On cold morning people oftern go out and warm up their vehicles. Here are three quick tips to prevent locking your keys in your car while it is warming up:

(1) unlock it with the remote

(2) manually unlock the door

(3) roll down the window

Here is a video showing you how to prevent locking your keys in your car while it is warming up:

Call us now at 541-632-3968.

4 Methods to Unfreeze your Locks when it Snows or is Icy

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When is snows and freezes locks can freeze too.

Here is a video going over your options and how to unfreeze your locks during snow and ice:

Description: Learn how to unfreeze your locks during the winter when there is now and ice. There are four different methods your can use.

In writting, you have four basic options.

1) Use a de-icer from your local hardware store.

2) Use a lighter to melt the ice of the face cap and heat up the key.

3) Have a locksmith de-ice your locks.

4) Have a locksmith open your car from the inside.

*Note don’t forget to remove the ice from your handle of edge of your door.

Call us now at 541-632-3968 to unfreeze your locks.