Gonzales
Locksmith Service
Locksmith Service
GONZALES LOCKSMITH SERVICE, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA 505-920-5004 * info@gonzaleslock.com |
ASSA DEADBOLT
DOWNGRADE!
DOWNGRADE!
Unfortunately, I have lost confidence in
the ASSA 6000 tubular deadbolt. I have
had lots of trouble and call-backs on
deadbolts I have sold. I have had
defective cylinder plugs right out of the
box. Many of the bolts simply seize-up.
They can be forced open and lubricated
but it's still a (free) call-back and
reflects poorly on the lock dealer.
Recently, an important client had a
break-in and the ASSA 6000 deadbolt I
sold them broke in the middle. I would
have never have sold them if I knew
they had that weakness others in their
class don't. I had my distributor contact
ASSA and they blamed it on the door!
That's a chicken-shit response. The
door can always be better. I'm not
saying a better deadbolt would have
prevented the break-in, what I am
saying is a better bolt-assembly would
not have "folded like a lawn chair". I still
like the rest of the product line and still
have ASSA deadbolts on my home
which have never given me any
problems even though the bolt
assemblies are JUNK.
the ASSA 6000 tubular deadbolt. I have
had lots of trouble and call-backs on
deadbolts I have sold. I have had
defective cylinder plugs right out of the
box. Many of the bolts simply seize-up.
They can be forced open and lubricated
but it's still a (free) call-back and
reflects poorly on the lock dealer.
Recently, an important client had a
break-in and the ASSA 6000 deadbolt I
sold them broke in the middle. I would
have never have sold them if I knew
they had that weakness others in their
class don't. I had my distributor contact
ASSA and they blamed it on the door!
That's a chicken-shit response. The
door can always be better. I'm not
saying a better deadbolt would have
prevented the break-in, what I am
saying is a better bolt-assembly would
not have "folded like a lawn chair". I still
like the rest of the product line and still
have ASSA deadbolts on my home
which have never given me any
problems even though the bolt
assemblies are JUNK.
There's only a weak slide piece crimped onto the end of the bolt, very disappointing!
Unlike ASSA, MEDECO is always striving to improve their already excellent
deadbolt. It's been a long time since I've seen any improvement in the ASSA
deadbolt.
deadbolt. It's been a long time since I've seen any improvement in the ASSA
deadbolt.
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These items were not
downgraded but were JUNK
from the start! The (new) Pella
Door lock cylinder (left) failed on
the owner the first time she tried
her key. I got to replace it for free
on my day off, thanks Pella! The
one on the right was a Schlage
"collapsible cylinder" and it failed
resulting in a lockout situation.
This is where manufacturing is
going and every time I think it
can't get worse, it does!
downgraded but were JUNK
from the start! The (new) Pella
Door lock cylinder (left) failed on
the owner the first time she tried
her key. I got to replace it for free
on my day off, thanks Pella! The
one on the right was a Schlage
"collapsible cylinder" and it failed
resulting in a lockout situation.
This is where manufacturing is
going and every time I think it
can't get worse, it does!
This is the Schlage B-300 Series deadbolt
and is one of the worst designed and actually
depends on gravity to keep the bolt in place
after the plastic keeper breaks off! This was
the final nail in the coffin and the reason
Schlage is dead to me. Still, I re-key them
often. Even though the product looks good
and the Home-Depot employees will tell you
it's great, take it from me, it's a piece of shit.
These are usually sold in a package with a
F-Series entry knob lock or lever, these are
also garbage. DON'T BUY! Go with a Kwikset
instead, they have products for any budget.
I recommend at least good deadbolts from a
professional. All of your stuff deserves better
than a $20 lock, doesn't it?
and is one of the worst designed and actually
depends on gravity to keep the bolt in place
after the plastic keeper breaks off! This was
the final nail in the coffin and the reason
Schlage is dead to me. Still, I re-key them
often. Even though the product looks good
and the Home-Depot employees will tell you
it's great, take it from me, it's a piece of shit.
These are usually sold in a package with a
F-Series entry knob lock or lever, these are
also garbage. DON'T BUY! Go with a Kwikset
instead, they have products for any budget.
I recommend at least good deadbolts from a
professional. All of your stuff deserves better
than a $20 lock, doesn't it?
I also BUMPED my display deadbolt open very quickly, further diminishing my confidence in ASSA
and their products. Their website says "Bump This!" and I did! If you have the right sidebar code you
have a shot at bumping it! Whenever I re-key them in the future, I'll be sure to change the sidebar
code. I was under the impression the sidebar would get caught in the "false-gates" but it didn't. This
is the V-10 version, I think the original 6000 design may be more bump-resistant but haven't had a
chance to test them, maybe not. The factory has a head-in-the-sand attitude and I have largely
dis-continued selling new systems. I still use them on my home but wouldn't if I was really worried
about kicking or bumping, I may replace them but not now. These deadbolts need major help, they
are more expensive than their peers and not as secure. They also need more drill-resistance. Maybe
someday, ASSA will wake up and smell the coffee, but don't waste your money on this deadbolt. The
other cylinders are OK but I'm not happy with the product anymore.
and their products. Their website says "Bump This!" and I did! If you have the right sidebar code you
have a shot at bumping it! Whenever I re-key them in the future, I'll be sure to change the sidebar
code. I was under the impression the sidebar would get caught in the "false-gates" but it didn't. This
is the V-10 version, I think the original 6000 design may be more bump-resistant but haven't had a
chance to test them, maybe not. The factory has a head-in-the-sand attitude and I have largely
dis-continued selling new systems. I still use them on my home but wouldn't if I was really worried
about kicking or bumping, I may replace them but not now. These deadbolts need major help, they
are more expensive than their peers and not as secure. They also need more drill-resistance. Maybe
someday, ASSA will wake up and smell the coffee, but don't waste your money on this deadbolt. The
other cylinders are OK but I'm not happy with the product anymore.
As if that's not enough, I ran into a guy who said his brother was an expert security consultant, author
of a very elaborate book and has a website, www.security.org and www.thesidebar.org. Sure enough,
he rips Medeco to shreds. He says they can be bumped open and makes it sound easy. Later it says
it's possible if you know the angles of the cuts, and not 100% of the time. How easy it is, I don't know,
haven't had a chance to try it. I hope it's not as easy as the ASSA V-10 was. I have discussed
lock-bumping with other locksmiths at our monthly Associated Locksmiths of New Mexico (ALNM)
meetings in Albuquerque a few times. The bottom line is that some locks like ASSA and MEDECO
can be bumped, with some kind of prior knowledge like the sidebar code or the angle combination. I
remain skeptical that these cylinders can be bumped open without, essentially, half of the key. Aslo,
Medeco's 60-Series cam locks and other "driverless" designs don't have something bumping needs,
the driver or top-pin. Have a look at those websites, they are very interesting!
of a very elaborate book and has a website, www.security.org and www.thesidebar.org. Sure enough,
he rips Medeco to shreds. He says they can be bumped open and makes it sound easy. Later it says
it's possible if you know the angles of the cuts, and not 100% of the time. How easy it is, I don't know,
haven't had a chance to try it. I hope it's not as easy as the ASSA V-10 was. I have discussed
lock-bumping with other locksmiths at our monthly Associated Locksmiths of New Mexico (ALNM)
meetings in Albuquerque a few times. The bottom line is that some locks like ASSA and MEDECO
can be bumped, with some kind of prior knowledge like the sidebar code or the angle combination. I
remain skeptical that these cylinders can be bumped open without, essentially, half of the key. Aslo,
Medeco's 60-Series cam locks and other "driverless" designs don't have something bumping needs,
the driver or top-pin. Have a look at those websites, they are very interesting!
Kwikset's new Smart-key locks, available at Home-Depot, are also highly pick and bump resistant.
However, they are not very resistant to physical force and abuse, but are still OK, especially for a lock
that costs only $20.
However, they are not very resistant to physical force and abuse, but are still OK, especially for a lock
that costs only $20.
The "Accents" (pretty keys) line
of decorative hardware from
Schlage is a B-300 (gravity)
deadbolt and a F-Series entry
lock (with collapsible cylinder)
or handleset. The product looks
o.k., the handlesets look like
Barbie-dolls in their boxes
which say nice things like
"anti-pick" pins. Don't fall for the
marketing gimmicks, this is a
very poor choice in hardware for
your home, and certainly not
suited for a business with any
expectation of security.
of decorative hardware from
Schlage is a B-300 (gravity)
deadbolt and a F-Series entry
lock (with collapsible cylinder)
or handleset. The product looks
o.k., the handlesets look like
Barbie-dolls in their boxes
which say nice things like
"anti-pick" pins. Don't fall for the
marketing gimmicks, this is a
very poor choice in hardware for
your home, and certainly not
suited for a business with any
expectation of security.
Bad Locks! The Junkyard
Well, friends and neighbors, I have had enough of Arrow Lock and have
decided to re-name this page in their dis-honor. I liked their deadbolt despite
it's quirks. By that, I mean the cylinders and tail-pieces. After the move of
production to Mexico, I had hoped they would improve their products.
WRONG! They are worse than ever. The cylinders are really crappy and don't
fit anything else. The machining for the screws is poor and it's easy to
cross-thread. The entry locks are junk too, don't bother with them anymore.
Meanwhile, Arrow is advertising very heavily in trade publications and sending
cute gifts like patches for your shirt and bumper stickers for your truck.
Though I have hated Schlage, they have a new deadbolt out, the B500 series
and it seems like they really listened to locksmiths and lock users. This is a
nice deadbolt and I'm going to stock it. I'm going to get rid of the Arrow
deadbolts promptly.
As I said elsewhere, brand names aren't what they once were. This is the only
Schlage product I'm stocking, other bolts, entry knobs and levers will come
from elsewhere. When people ask what brand I recommend, I used to say
Arrow is a good mid-range lock, but now, I'm going to have to break it down by
product. Lots of things I sell have no "brand name" they are private-label
imports that are as good or better than their brand name counterparts. I can
sell something I believe in at a competitive price. I make a good profit and the
end-user gets a superior product at a great price.
Of course, many imports are garbage right out of the box and I know which
ones they are.
decided to re-name this page in their dis-honor. I liked their deadbolt despite
it's quirks. By that, I mean the cylinders and tail-pieces. After the move of
production to Mexico, I had hoped they would improve their products.
WRONG! They are worse than ever. The cylinders are really crappy and don't
fit anything else. The machining for the screws is poor and it's easy to
cross-thread. The entry locks are junk too, don't bother with them anymore.
Meanwhile, Arrow is advertising very heavily in trade publications and sending
cute gifts like patches for your shirt and bumper stickers for your truck.
Though I have hated Schlage, they have a new deadbolt out, the B500 series
and it seems like they really listened to locksmiths and lock users. This is a
nice deadbolt and I'm going to stock it. I'm going to get rid of the Arrow
deadbolts promptly.
As I said elsewhere, brand names aren't what they once were. This is the only
Schlage product I'm stocking, other bolts, entry knobs and levers will come
from elsewhere. When people ask what brand I recommend, I used to say
Arrow is a good mid-range lock, but now, I'm going to have to break it down by
product. Lots of things I sell have no "brand name" they are private-label
imports that are as good or better than their brand name counterparts. I can
sell something I believe in at a competitive price. I make a good profit and the
end-user gets a superior product at a great price.
Of course, many imports are garbage right out of the box and I know which
ones they are.
Check out my BLOG!
Many retail stores have been
sold on "U-CHANGE lock
cylinders for their doors. These
are even worse than the
cylinders the doors come with,
which I usually dispose of
promptly! These cylinders are
easy to pick, easy to "read" and
easy for the users to screw-up!
There are only a thousand
key-changes per keyway and one
main keyway in use. The patent
expired long ago and I'm
surprised that Ilco hasn't made
key blanks available but there's a
common blank that will work in a
pinch. The "Smart-Key" system
from Kwikset is similar but more
forgiving (maybe) to the user.
With over 7000 key changs,
Smart-Key is a much better
system. However, I seriously
doubt Kwikset will make a
Smart-Key mortise cylinder.
sold on "U-CHANGE lock
cylinders for their doors. These
are even worse than the
cylinders the doors come with,
which I usually dispose of
promptly! These cylinders are
easy to pick, easy to "read" and
easy for the users to screw-up!
There are only a thousand
key-changes per keyway and one
main keyway in use. The patent
expired long ago and I'm
surprised that Ilco hasn't made
key blanks available but there's a
common blank that will work in a
pinch. The "Smart-Key" system
from Kwikset is similar but more
forgiving (maybe) to the user.
With over 7000 key changs,
Smart-Key is a much better
system. However, I seriously
doubt Kwikset will make a
Smart-Key mortise cylinder.
UPDATE: 11/14/08
Have been selling the new
Schlage B500 deadbolts for a
few months now and they have
been great! Arrow is still
advertising to people who
already have an opinion of Arrow
with nothing new or improved to
offer. The only thing "new" is a
re-badged import we already
know and don't like.
Have been selling the new
Schlage B500 deadbolts for a
few months now and they have
been great! Arrow is still
advertising to people who
already have an opinion of Arrow
with nothing new or improved to
offer. The only thing "new" is a
re-badged import we already
know and don't like.
UPDATE: I had a Kwikset SmartKey lock malfunction today. The weak point is the super-tiny teeth on the blocking pin
(each cylinder has 5) where the other pin (which contacts the key) engages with it. The blocking pin is less than a
millimeter thick. This, combined with soft materials will cause many malfunctions in the future. There is no way this
product will be as reliable as the traditional pin-tumbler system. It will not stand up to abuse, heavy use or roughly cut
keys. More information and a picture of the offending cylinder are in the BLOG.
(each cylinder has 5) where the other pin (which contacts the key) engages with it. The blocking pin is less than a
millimeter thick. This, combined with soft materials will cause many malfunctions in the future. There is no way this
product will be as reliable as the traditional pin-tumbler system. It will not stand up to abuse, heavy use or roughly cut
keys. More information and a picture of the offending cylinder are in the BLOG.