So it’s been a fair while since I wrote a post. It’s been a hectic few months. As I was preparing for my BLI exams. These are exams that once passed you are recognised as being a Master Locksmith. So I proud to announce that I passed all the exams on the first go and scored quite highly in all 4 modules.

It’s a mixed bag between locksmiths regarding the MLA. Some for it, Others against it. Then there is those who don’t really know much about it. Here is a link to the MLA, if you are interested in reading about them. The MLA
So I sat my exams on the 4th and 5th of December at the MLA Head office in Daventry.

I personally chose to become a member, and sit the exams. Mainly because I was able to do what was required to pass the exams. As well as becoming part of a recognised association for trusted and vetted locksmiths. An association who doesn’t want your money to sit a couple exams and then give a certificate on a piece of paper that is worthless. Thought and time and knowledge has gone into every aspect. The MLA is constantly striving, to up the standards, and bring awareness against rouge locksmiths. There is ongoing training and development in all aspects. They can provide help for all different areas of locksmithing.

So when I first arrived at the head office, I was greeted with smiles and a happy office of staff. I was made to fill welcome and offered tea and biscuits etc. There was 5 of us there that day, so we all had an hour or so to mingle and familiarise are selves with each other. Not all of us was doing all 4 modules. 2 of the guys were there to one of the 4. The first exam was the written exam. It consisted of 50 questions ranging from product knowledge, safes, general locksmithing and some technical knowledge.

Afterwards we had a break and a chat which always tended to be about work. We had a buffet lunch and was briefed on the second exam. This was to be fitting a euro deadlock case and cylinder including security escutcheons. Also fitting the keep was essential as the door was tested to ensure a nice fit. This exam tests and shows hand/eye co-ordination. Your thought process, as in. Centralising the lock, fitting it square and neatly. It showed your accuracy of measurements. When making the euro profile hole. As there is a tool on the market that speeds up fitting mortice deadlocks and it centralises and cuts the mortice pocket to the right depth and thickness. People feel that the fitting by hand is pointless. I can see why they are saying. Though at the same time I can see what the MLA are saying. If you possess the skills to do it by hand you then understand whats required to do the job. Those skills can then be utilised in other areas. Such as fresh fitting a nightlatch and rim cylinder.

After this exam we were able to go off to the hotel. Although we only did two exams it was mentally tiring. The following day we knew we had the Making a key by hand to a Chubb/Union 3G110 detainer lock and then the opening of a BS3621 Mortice deadlock. So After a spot of dinner and the odd couple of beverages at the bar it was time to settle in for a bit of practice in these areas.

The Friday morning came and although not nervous and anxious it dos cross your mind that you want the day to go to plan and pass these two exams. These are the two that are probably more feared by people. Once back at the head office and settling in with a tea. It was time to go over the next modules with the tutor/examiner. The next exam was the making of the key by hand. We was given tips and shown how to do it and what to look for whilst doing it with the examiner. I was quiet happy with this exam as I had done quiet a bit of practice. As I had a job a few days before where I had to make keys by hand. By the end of this I was happy with my key. It opened the lock from both sides, It was symmetrical and the spacings all seemed even. The key had radiuses and I had time to give it a clean up and polish.

We had a lunch break and prepared mentally for the next exam which was the dead lock opening. Thankfully I carry many of the decoders for pretty much all the most common locks. I also had my trusty curtain pick as a secondary measure and finally I had the drill as a FINAL OPTION. I hate drilling locks, it’s not that I think it’s wrong necessarily as we all need to drill them at times. Its more because I know I possess the skills and knowledge to open these without having to drill. Its such a satisfying feeling when that lock opens and it remains working and in tact. I ended up with an Asec deadlock, I opened the lock and a instant smile across my face appeared. I had a strong feeling that I had done well in all the other aspects but this is the one exam you know if you have failed or passed as the lock is either open or not in the allotted time, so long as you have fulfilled the criteria. The other exams are inspected and marked. So You leave that day not knowing.

Around a week later I received a letter from the MLA congratulating me, and my certificate was included. Not your typical cheap printed off your computer type either. I have since applied to become a company member and recently had my inspection carried out which all went without a hitch.

Within next couple week I should have everything through.

Hi all,

It’s ben a while !!!!. I’ve been kept on my toes with work and training. Locks in the City is now training towards joining the Master Locksmith Association. As I am able to carry out the required standards, and fulfil the expectations they require, it makes sense. The perfect progression. In becoming a member of a recognised governing body who’s aim is to supply customers with locksmiths who are vetted and have past the exams in order to be classed as a master locksmith. This will give the customer peace of mind, and reassurance in their choice when looking for a locksmith.

Being a master locksmith is not just about the opening of the locks, but its about the understanding of locks, and their history. Proving you have good product knowledge. You can select an appropriate lock or hardware to help solve a problem or issue. Not only able to replace locks, but where possible repair locks. Make keys by hand to locks. This is a widely argued and criticised module taken by people as to why make one by hand when you can buy a new lock or replace internals. However what the skill is teaching is the ability to create a working key by understanding whats required to do it. You can’t just file at a key to make it work. It takes, precise attention to detail. Understanding removing material here will effect the lock in this way or that. It’s an art. It was not until a fair few months ago that I started looking into it. Having since learnt its been a great learning curve. Creating a key to a lock that could last for years to come, is very satisfying.

Another skill required is to fit a euro cylinder and euro deadlock case to a door including security escutcheons. All done without the aid of a morticed which is a modern day tool that aids in creating a mortice pocket in which the case would sit. This is done with a drill and then tidied up and finished using chisels etc. Another good skill to have. It’s a big part of my job from time to time, fitting locks from scratch. It’s always nice to have a nice clean professional fit when doing it. A customer is not going to want a slap dash job, where filler is used to fill unsightly gaps.

So hopefully in December this year I will pass the 4 modules and will be classed as Master Locksmith and I can use their logo, to inform my customers both new and old that I’m a validated member and more then competent to carry out the work they require.

Hi All,

It’s been a while since I’ve been on to leave a post. We have been kept extremely busy with day to day locksmithing duties. We have been pushing our services and getting ourselves out there. We want people to choose us over the National companies as well the small independents that have been going around causing grief and leaving customers in far worse conditions then they originally were. We are working tiresomely to get these people away from potential customers who are unaware of potentially the risk they are putting themselves in getting these people in.

We have invested lately in putting ourselves out there on sites that recommend reputable and monitored traders. We in November signed up to Checkatrade, check the link to view our page: Locks In The City . With Chckatrade we we’re visited by a rep who come and personally met me and discussed what they offered and how it worked. They went through the options and explained how they worked and the importance to them to only have reputable tradesmen using their name/brand. They throughly go through your details. They check your insurances are in place and meet the minimum requirements. They ring previous customers to get a reference. Any job you complete and a card is filled in, is followed up to ensure genuine info is being given. We are proud to currently be running at 10 out of 10 overall on our ratings. We find the customer is becoming more aware of Checkatrade as it is advertised well on TV.

We have also lately managed to become AGE UK registered trusted traders on their business directory. Again a thorough inspection was completed on insurances and certificates, as well as contacting previous customers to ensure credibility and workmanship was up to standard. Here is a link to our page: http://www.aubdlondon.co.uk/results/3617/Locks_In_The_City/1__Emergency_Service.html We want people to use us, on the basis of our standards and what others review us to be. As apposed to picking a number of internet or phone book. You don’t known what your getting or who you are getting. With us your getting a service thats on going. We are not a one stop visit and take your money and run.

Since the job i do involves visiting many properties all over the place, we come across many scenarios and situations that if your not prepared you can be caught off guard. With experience you gain this knowledge and experience though sometimes stuff will catch you off guard and its these situations were you have to be quick at decision making.

A few situations off the top of my head that I can think of is:
Firstly I was called to a property by an owner in a bit of distress. They believed their property had been burgled and they couldn’t get into their property. I attend and within 20 mins I’m on site. I look at the front door and find no obvious markings of break in or forced entry. I ask the lady what made her believe she has been burgled. She said my key won’t open the door and her curtains were shut. Even though she opened them when she got up in the morning. So it appeared that maybe the property had been broken into and the burglars have locked the door from the inside and shut the curtains so no neighbours could see what was going on.

I asked the lady had she spoke with the police, as burglars could be inside still. She said no. So I advised that she should for safety reasons. The lady did and to be fair within 5 mins the police arrived. They bang on the windows knock on the neighbours who all advise they not seen anything strange having gone on. The police climbed into the garden via neighbours house. Again no obvious signs of entry or break in. The police then asked if i’d be able to open the door. So i take the lady’s key and test the top lock. The key entered and partly turned but wouldn’t retract the latch. That tells me that the internal button/snib had been pressed. In effect deadlocking the door from inside. The lady is distraught with worry. I carry out a technique to bypass the lock to open it. The door opens, the police take over. They go in and you can hear them shouting out police. After 5 mins the police come out with a smirk on their face. They advise that they had found the ladies husband in bed. He had come home from work feeling ill. He had gone into the front room and shut curtains to get some rest but couldn’t get comfy so went to lay down in bed. He said he wasn’t with it so must of pressed the button on the door by mistake. thankfully all was good in the end but you just never know. It could of been so easily different.

Another unexpected job was I was asked to attend a house within a gated community. It was being rented out but the tenants had not been paying the rent. So the landlord had to go down the route of evicting them. So at 11:15am this particular day myself the landlord and bailiff all attend. The time comes and the bailiff knocks at the door. No answer. I go ahead and open the two locks on the door. I push the door open and step back just in case. I then get a strong whiff of a chemical smell. Also can see fans and plant pots in the hallway and scatters of a soil looking substance. It was a cannabis factory, set up properly. This was no, personal consumption growing this was almost on parr with what you’d call commercial growing. The bailiff called the police and there was swarms of police and activity. The neighbours were all out watching. They were filming and everything as at first I think they believed it may of been a murder scene or something.

Just a couple of random jobs that can crop up. One minute you think your attending a typical lockout, and once on site it twists and becomes a crime scene potentially

Well again it’s been a while since we posted a blog. We have been busy and trying to fit in all the bits and pieces that add up to hours at the end of the day. Before you know it one day has lead into the next.

So basically we have been kept fairly busy locally with general locksmithing duties and emergency call outs. One job we attended was a UPVC door in Thamesmead where in the high winds someones door was damaged and taken off its hinges as it was worked back on its self shattering hinges. The customer called and we were there within 15 minutes of their call. It was really dark, windy and the rain was unreal. Though we still attended to make secure. We had a break in the weather of about 40 mins and luckily we were able to fit new hinges that we actually carry on the van. Not like some who claim to be locksmiths and carry just locks, and a limited selection at that. We at Locks in the city carry a varied selection of not just locks, but other hardware and ironmongery associated with doors and windows. We got the hinges fired and the door hung back in place. Due to door being blown off we needed to replace the handles, as they got badly damaged when the door hit the floor. Again we were able to supply and fit handles of a similar style and colour. All in the same visit. No going back and messing about. With some adjustments the door was like new. The owners were extremely happy they could secure their door and go bed. The house was back to being water tight. No wind howling through the house. We left knowing the customer was more then happy now. I was finally able to go home and warm up. It’s safe to say I prefer the summer months.

Well I got home dried up, warmed up and was about to settle hopefully for at least a few hours but that wasn’t to be. Again due to the winds I received a local job from a previous customer of mine who had been locked out of their home. The wind had blown the door shut with their keys on the inside. This time in 5 minutes I was at their address and took my tool that I use on upvc doors and had the door open in seconds. Simply because it was not double locked. Another happy customer.

Well I got home once again and hoped I would get a few hours to unwind and I did. Though come 00:30am I was contacted by a lady on the phone who managed a block of 24 flats. She had been contacted out of hours from one of the residents complaining that they had water poring though the ceiling. They believed it was from the flat above. The owner of flat above was not their it was believed they were away on holiday in Turkey. The lady on the phone advised that the fire brigade had attended but said they would cause too much damage opening the door as they would have to use destructive methods.

The lady advised that another locksmith had attended see what was on the door and made excuses to leave saying that he would also have to damage the door. I advised the lady that I would attend but I couldn’t guarantee 100% that some damage might be made but it would be put back to normal should I have to. It would not be permanent damage. The lady agrees for me to attend. Upon arrival the tenant who was sadly suffering the flood in to their flat met me and showed me their flat. Water was gushing through the ceiling. The plasterboard had blown the damage was done.

I went up to the flat above and where the leak was suspected to be coming from. I banged on the door. Rang the bell etc. No movement or signs of life. Eventually the managing agent arrived with the police. They gave me the nod to go ahead. Now the flats were all fitted with high security handles, the cylinders were high security cylinders. Even picking open would result in the lock jamming up due to a security feature called trap pins. This would of rendered the cylinder as good as useless if trap pins are activated. There was no letter box to use alternative method. Though I had another tool and technique to use that I acquired from another locksmith who makes high quality tools. I used this specially adapted tool and released the mechanism within the door. Pushing down on the handle opened the door into the flat. The silence from the people around was deathly. They were all so shocked at how quick this door was opened. It was opened quicker then had the key been used.

The flat was inspected and no flood was found to have been coming from the flat. The police and fire brigade looked around the flat, checked anything that was water related and definitely no flood or leaks from this flat. I was asked if the lock needed replacing so I advised no as no damage was caused opening it. They asked would I be able to lock it again. I told them I could and that the owner or tenant would be able to use their key as normal. They were all so impressed and taken back. The managing agent took my cards and details as she informed they had to gain entry to a flat in their before. The locksmith who claimed to have years of experience and was well respected in the locksmith industry took two hours to open the door. With that new handles, cylinder and door stop needed to be replaced. The door was damaged and needed to be repaired and painted as was a portion of the frame. I am now their chosen locksmith and since have had to attend to open another flat for them after a tenant left. No damage and lock changed.

The cause of the flood was put down to the rain. As it was being blown sideways into the building due to the wind the rain had found a path through the breathing bricks located at various points and this happened to be between floors. The water then took the path until it built up above this couples ceiling and it gave way flooding the flat. So had the fire brigade smashed open door there would of been huge amounts of damage. A new door would of been needed. Repair to plaster work etc. Then once in no fault would of been found so a huge bill would of been left for no reason. So for the sake of an attendance fee by me it was a small price to pay.

So if you need a locksmith in and around Thamesmead look us up here.