TopLock in Stafford | Locksmith

TopLock

Locality: Stafford

Phone: +61 1300 553 945

Address: 12 Billabong St 4053 Stafford, QLD, Australia

Website: http://www.toplock.com

Likes: 346

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• Home improvement
• Defence company
• Locksmith

25.01.2022 [Wall of Shame] Quite a tricky job one of our Locksmiths attended today.

25.01.2022 Did you know that door latches have a dead lock pin that has a function of stopping the door from being shimmed open. If the lock has not been fitted correctly, then this function is rendered useless and the lock is easily broken into.

25.01.2022 Why are after-hours call out rates for tradesman so high? Locksmiths operate an after-hours roster system. Someone will be rostered on to answer phone calls and solve customer issues as required. They’re not actually at work and the business isn’t officially open, but that person is available. The team member on call basically has no life when they’re on this roster. They can’t drink, go out for dinner with their spouse, or go to the football with their mates. They effectivel...y are waiting for the phone to ring. This is why they are normally paid well and subsequently why after-hours charges are much higher than daytime rates. Another issue for customers is that locksmiths, particularly one man businesses, often forget to turn off Google Ads when they have decided not to work that after-hours session. So people spend time ringing locksmiths who advertise they are 24/7, but don’t answer the phone. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share with you things that we see out in our local Brisbane communities daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicencedToLock

24.01.2022 I Want One Key To Open Different Sized Padlocks - Can I Do It? We get a lot of queries as to whether you can buy different sized padlocks and have one key open them all - that depends! There are two types of keyed alike padlocks - factory keyed alike and rekeyable. Factory keyed alike padlocks are lower in cost and manufactured by the padlock company in very large batches over a number of years. These groups will be named KA1, KA2, KA3, etc and each group are all keyed alike.... So if you buy KA1 now and then in a year’s time buy more KA1, then the same key will work both. But these are per padlock size and each padlock size has its own key profile. The key for a 30mm padlock will not fit into the key hole of a 40mm padlock. With factory keyed alike padlocks, it is not possible for different sized padlocks to be opened by the same key. Rekeyable padlocks, are higher in cost, but the cylinder can be removed and a locksmith can rekey the padlock. Rekeyable padlocks however typically come with cylinders that only accept one key profile. This key profile is C4, which is a very common profile and is used in many door locks. So a rekeyable padlock can be keyed alike to a padlock of another size, as long as they are both rekeyable. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each padlock type? - Factory produced strengths: - Low cost. - Can be purchased keyed alike in any quantity. - Same sized padlocks can be purchased at a later time with same key. Factory produced weaknesses: - Can’t be rekeyed. - Different sized padlocks can’t be keyed alike. - There will be other people out there with keys that open your padlocks. - When the manufacturer stops producing that series, you will no longer be able to buy additional padlocks keyed alike. Rekeyable padlock strengths: - Can be keyed alike with other rekeyable padlocks or door locks. - No one else will have a key that opens your padlock. - Higher quality padlocks with better security rating. - Can be master keyed so different keys open different padlocks. Rekeyable padlock weaknesses: - Higher in cost. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share with you things that we see out in our local Brisbane communities daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicensedToLock

22.01.2022 My Crimsafe Is On a Different Key To My Other Doors, Can I Fix That?! Another question from a reader, who has different keys for their Crimsafe screens to their other doors in their house and can it be fixed? In most cases the answer is yes. Crimsafe doors come with Euro cylinders as part of the lock and any locksmith can just swap these out and put in new cylinders which are keyed alike to the other doors in your house. The exception being what we describe as cheap chinese ...locks, if you have these on your other doors then the Crimsafe the new Euro cylinders may not be able to be keyed to those locks. Send a photo to your locksmith and they will be able to tell you. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share with you things that we see out in our local Brisbane communities daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicensedToLock

22.01.2022 Toplock Tips: Business Security Tip #8 - Keep abreast of new technology which may benefit your business, on either of a security or efficiency basis. For example wireless access systems such as Salto and Salto KS allow you to unlock or lock all doors instantly from anywhere in the world using an app. Similarly, Videofied is a wireless remote monitoring system that easily allows to you monitor multiple locations without the need to run cabling. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!!

21.01.2022 [Beware of Locksmith Scammers] They are now getting traction here in Brisbane. There are two companies that we know of and each offer really low - $39-$45 call out fees to get you in, more charges are always added once they are on site. This is a screen shot of the fine print from one of the scammers websites way down past where they show their cheap prices. Note how small and hard to read it is. So I have copied the text here for you to read: "This cost is a minimum estimate... for the respective job. The final cost will vary. It will depend on the security level of the lock system and type of door plus labor charges. Important Note: Unforseen complications may arise at the site, these changes may affect the price by way of labour or parts. In any circumstance, we reserve the right to explain the final price changes after the work has been done". Buyer beware. We have had to fix many jobs from these scammers where customers have already paid large amounts for work that was done incorrectly. Ask to see a security license of any locksmith attending at your home or business, as none of the scammers have a security license and they don't know what they are doing. Fair Trade are currently investigating.

20.01.2022 Should I go with keyed alike or keyed to differ?? Let’s start with a definition, keyed alike are multiple locks that are all opened by the same key. Keyed to differ describes when each lock has their own individual key and no key opens any other lock. Before I got involved in locksmithing, I thought that to get my house rekeyed so that the old keys didn’t work, meant that I had to actually change the locks. So I never did it, which meant that I often walked around with a bunc...h of keys because the locks were all keyed to differ. But the beauty of being able to change the pins in locks and rekey them is it provides both security and functionality. So you could rekey every lock at home, know that old keys no longer work and you have just one key instead of a bunch of them. Or, you could do as I have done, I have all my house locks opened by one key and my gate locks opened by a different key, so I can give that key to anyone needing to access my property, but they can’t get into my house. What is also handy is that a locksmith can key a lock alike to a key you already have. So if you buy a new lock or padlock that is rekeyable and take it and your key into a locksmith, they can rekey it to that key. Which costs less than getting the locksmith to come and visit you.

20.01.2022 Electronic systems in large facilities such as schools, multi-tenant accommodation complexes and even community centres are essential today. Knowing what the technology can do and how easy it can make the life of an administration manager, facility or body corporate manager we are finding we are doing more and more of this work. These systems really come into their own when it is so easy to manage full access rights to persons entering a facility to determine their point of a...ccess, right down to time of access or duration of access. Let me give you an example of a job for a school we have on at the moment where the all access cards are only valid per semester. They require updating by the card holder every term either by an online hotspot within the school or an encoder by administration. This makes the manage of transient staff and students so much more efficient. #LicensedToLock

19.01.2022 [Out and About] The QR Heritage Workshops at Ipswitch had a security audit done by theit Asset Security Team and needed things to be made more secure. (That is where we came in). The whole place is heritage listed and classed as one of the most important heritage sites in QLD. So much of our Queensland Rail History here. #LicensedToLock

18.01.2022 Toplock Tips: Understanding the difference between a fire container and a safe. How heavy is the safe? If you can easily lift it, then it is only a fire container. Fire containers are made using thin folded sheet steel shell with a fire retardant filling which will protect your documents and valuables in the case of a fire, but is quite easy for a burglar to access with basic hand tools. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!!

17.01.2022 Can I Have One Key To Open Different Sized Padlocks? There are two types of keyed alike padlocks - factory keyed alike and rekeyable. Factory keyed alike padlocks are manufactured in very large batches over a period of years. Keyed alike is only per padlock size as each padlock size has its own key profile. The key for a 30mm padlock will not fit into the keyhole of a 40mm padlock, so it is not possible for different sized padlocks to be opened by the same key.... The cylinder can be removed in rekeyable padlocks and a locksmith can rekey the padlock. But typically cylinders only accept one key profile. So a rekeyable padlock can be keyed alike to a padlock of another size, as long as they are both rekeyable. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each padlock? Factory produced strengths: - Low cost. Weaknesses: - Can’t be rekeyed. - Different sized padlocks do not come keyed alike. - Other people have keys that open your padlocks. - Once production stops, you will no longer be able to buy additional padlocks keyed alike. Rekeyable padlock strengths: - Can be keyed alike with other rekeyable padlocks or door locks. - No one else has keys that open your padlock. - Higher quality padlocks with better security rating. Weaknesses: - Higher in cost.

16.01.2022 [Wall of Shame] This lock is not good enough for any door as it is designed to be fitted to a window. It presents a massive security risk. #LicensedToLock

14.01.2022 [Out and About] Manly. European settlement of the Manly area first took place from 1859 when Thomas Jones obtained a land grant of 200 acres (81 ha). By 1862, Jones had built the first house in the area, a stone homestead he called Wyvernleigh; it would later also be known as Tingalpa House.

14.01.2022 Toplock Tips: Understanding the difference between a fire container and a safe (continued). How heavy is the safe? A security rated safe is quite heavy and generally will need 2 or more people to lift (depending on the size), they are manufactured using 3mm or thicker plate steel and fire rated safes are filled with a heavier grade fire retardant material, keeping your documents and valuables safe from fire AND criminals. Stands to reason really they should be heavy, you don’t want the criminal to be able to pick it up and just walk away. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!!

14.01.2022 I only have one key for my car, what will it cost me if I lose it? Automotive car keys can be cloned (copied) if you have an existing car key, but if you only have one car key and lose that, then a new key has to be originated from scratch. This can be a timely and expensive process! The typical price range to clone a spare key is $150 to $250. The typical price range to originate a new car key is $400 to $5,000. If you drive any Toyota that is later than about 2010, then you... are looking at the higher end of that range for an originated key. If you drive any of the European cars such as VW, Audi, Volvo, etc. then an originated key will come at a very high cost. And if you have a Ford model later than about 2007, then you need to introduce two new keys to the car rather than one, so would be up for at least $700. So if you only have one key for your car, it may well be worth reducing your risk by ensuring you have a spare. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share with you things that we see out in our local Brisbane communities daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicencedToLock

13.01.2022 Locksmiths Guild Association Meeting at LSC. (https://www.lga.org.au/) Great to see everyone again and to see what new products have just been released. We also talked about the $45 Locksmith Scammers that are now in our Brisbane market. We are actioning some plans but we all need to be diligent in educating customers to ask to see our security licences. All registered Locksmiths (individual and businesses) need to have a license to operate so please ask to see it. #LicensedToLock

13.01.2022 This Walker & Son safe was spotted at an antique store recently in Marburg. We love the charm of old safes (not so sure about the repainted external colour scheme though!).

11.01.2022 Passage Set? Privacy Set? Let's demystify lock functions. Some background understanding of lock functions can come in handy. One example of this is when looking at the features of new locks and it has a feature of being able to place the lock into passage mode. What is passage mode? This post we’ve created a video to explain the differences. The link is below and please let us know if it doesn’t work.... http://ed.gr/cbqci Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share with you things that we see out in our local Brisbane communities daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicensedToLock

11.01.2022 If You Have A Gainsborough Tri-Lock On Your Front Door, You May Not Be Locking It Securely! We commonly come across Gainsborough Tri-Locks (pictured below) with the owners not locking them securely and so leaving themselves very exposed to break-ins. There is a trap in that they are not locked correctly unless you have locked them using the key. Please watch the video below for a better understanding. http://ed.gr/cbqcg... Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share with you things that we see out in our local Brisbane communities daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicensedToLock

10.01.2022 [Out and About] Maureen Lawrence Park is part of the Kedron Brook catchment. Kedron Brook has a long Aboriginal history prior to colonisation. Free settlement saw timber milling and farming along the brook. Increased urbanisation since the 1940s has further depleted the brook’s riparian and native vegetation. Flood mitigation re-engineering, falls in water quality, and reduced recreation access are also major changes that have occurred. Residential and industrial uses now predominant and only a few remnants of natural vegetation remain such as this park in the suburb of Ferny Grove.

09.01.2022 I’ve Lost My Letterbox Key, Is That An Issue? Apparently, the stealing of mail from letterboxes is an easy method of identity theft. But as that's not our field of expertise, I'll stick to commenting on locks and keys. Many of the simpler locks such as letterbox locks or filing cabinets have numbers stamped on the lock near the keyhole. Below is an example from a filing cabinet. The three numbers 513, are the depths of cut on the key for each of the three pins. Experienced lo...cksmiths can look at the keyhole and tell what the key profile is. So if the lock you have lost your key for has these numbers printed on it, you’re in luck! That means you can take a photo with you into a locksmith and get them to cut a key for you on the spot, saving yourself the expense of a call-out fee to have them visit you at site. If it doesn’t have any numbers on it, it is still worth taking a photo and sending it to your local locksmith and asking how they can help. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! We believe safety and security should always be top of mind. We want to share things that we see in our local community daily, where people are compromising their safety. These are simple tips on better ways to protect you and your family. #LicensedToLock

09.01.2022 [Out and About] Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is one of Brisbane's oldest recreational sailing and cruising clubs. Formed in 1885, the Squadron has a long history of supporting and encouraging sailing as a sport that continues on today.

07.01.2022 Should I go with keyed alike or keyed to differ?? In an earlier article I explained how the use of pins inside the lock determines whether a key will turn the barrel and therefore open the lock. It is by changing these pins that then allows a locksmith to key locks alike, or key them to differ. Let’s start with a definition of those terms, keyed alike is used to describe multiple locks that are all opened by the same key. Keyed to differ describes when each lock has their own... individual key and no key opens any other lock. Before I got involved in locksmithing, I thought that to get my house rekeyed so that the old keys didn’t work, meant that I had to actually change the locks. So I never did it, which meant that I often walked around with a bunch of keys because the locks were all keyed to differ. But the beauty of being able to change the pins in locks and rekey them is it provides both security and functionality. So you could rekey every lock at home, know that old keys no longer work and you have just one key instead of a bunch of them. Or, you could do as I have done, I have all my house locks opened by one key and my gate locks opened by a different key, so I can give that key to anyone needing to access my property, but they can’t get into my house. The caveat here is that not all locks are able to be rekeyed, it depends if the locksmith can pull the cylinder out and change the pins. For example, padlocks can be purchased that can be rekeyed onto a house key, but the lower cost padlocks that you can buy in bulk can’t be rekeyed. Same with door locks, the very low cost locks often can’t be rekeyed. What also comes in very handy is that a locksmith can key a lock alike to a key you already have. So if you buy a new lock or padlock that is rekeyable and take it and your key into a locksmith, they can rekey it to that key. Which is lower in cost than getting the locksmith to come and visit you. Any questions just let me know, we typically can tell from a photo whether a lock is rekeyable. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! #LicencedToLock

04.01.2022 Toplock Tips: Business Security Tip #7 - Electronic access systems (swipe cards) not only provide a very high security system, but they also provide a full audit trail of access to and from any particular areas. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!!

04.01.2022 [Wall of Shame] One of our Locksmiths Thomas spotted this on a site today.

04.01.2022 This is the first article written in response to a question from a customer on our email list. Feel free to send any questions in and hopefully we can answer them! Apparently, the stealing of mail from letterboxes is a very easy method of identity theft. But that is not our field of expertise, so I will stick to commenting on locks and keys. Many of the simpler locks such as letterbox locks or filing cabinets have numbers stamped on the lock near the keyhole. Below is an exam...ple from a filing cabinet. The three numbers 513, are the depths of cut on the key for each of the three pins. Experienced locksmiths can look at the keyhole, or a photo of it and tell what the key profile is. So if the lock you have lost your key for has these numbers printed on it, you’re in luck! That means you can take a photo with you into a locksmith and get them to cut a key for you on the spot, saving yourself the expense of a call-out fee to have them visit you at site. If it doesn’t have any numbers on it, it is still worth taking a photo and sending it to your local locksmith and asking how they can help. Make it hard for them - never give a criminal an even break!! #LicencedToLock

03.01.2022 National Locksmith Day 2019. Yum. Thanks Assa Abloy, it is good to stop and celebrate the work we do everyday. #Key-ngOfTheBBQ #NLD2019 #Assaabloyosau