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Posted in Locksmith on Mar 08
Most of us don’t think twice about a locksmith, until we actually need one. The problem could be at your home, the safe in your office, or maybe the fact that you have locked yourself out of your car. Whatever the situation, you are in a state of panic. This unwanted event might easily ruin your day.
 The intricate design of modern locks and keys means that once we have locked ourselves out, there is very little that we can do about it. Sure, you could smash a window in your car or house, but that will likely attract the attention of the neighbours and the long arm of the law!
Try explaining why you are breaking into your own car or house then. You could well end up in trouble! Rather find a locksmith on the basis that they are experts in electronic and mechanical locks, and can return your situation to normal as soon as possible.
Locksmith Services
Locks – A London locksmith will stock a wide range of products, covering all leading brands. Make sure that you are dealing with a registered locksmith before you call.
Key Cutting – An approved locksmith with a key code or sample should be able to help you straight away.
 Safes – If you have lost the key to your safe, you will have no other option. Contact your approved local locksmith (unless you have a friend with a stick of dynamite).
Vehicle Keys – Car dealers are careful about replacing key sets without proof of ownership. Your approved locksmith should be able to advise what to do.
Choosing a Locksmith
It is important to check that your insurer approves your locksmith if you plan to claim. When you ask for a locksmith quote, make sure they are current members of the Master Locksmith Association. Remember, that locksmith will have knowledge of your keys and locks, so be careful who you deal with. It’s far safer to work through Mr-Skill, and it’s free to customers too.
Tags: approved, brand, break in, car, claim, code, dealer, design, electronic, find a locksmith, home, insure, key, lock, locked out, locksmith quote, london locksmith, neighbours, office, panic, police, problem, registered, reputable, safe, sample, window
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Posted in Locksmith on Jan 06
There’s nothing quite as irritating as losing keys, or battling with sticking locks without a plan to bail you out. In fact, at times like this you sometimes feel like hitting your head in frustration against a wall. If in the City, you’ll need to  Find a London Locksmith to bail you out, and that could cost you a pretty penny too. This might all have been avoidable, if you had followed these simple tips:
- Have your outside locks serviced regularly. You can Obtain a Locksmith Quote by clicking on the link. There’s no charge for this service, and the rates you receive will be highly competitive too.
- Inspect your keys regularly for signs of damage. A bent key is brittle, and could suddenly snap in two pieces. A worn one could eventually fail to work, just when you need it most
- Make up a spare set of keys. Click on this link to Find a Locksmith in your immediate area. Once you have a spare set, entrust them to a neighbour or some other trustworthy person.
 TIP – Never leave your spare keys hidden on your property or in your car. Trust me, crooks know every place that you could think of, and you can even find these listed on the internet. Act wisely in this regard.
Mr-Skill is a tradesperson-listing service that is freely available to members of the general public, and provides a Bulletin Board where you can post your jobs. And that includes far more than just having keys cut too.
In fact, we provide Links to Every Trade Available, and deliver our service FREE.
Tags: bent, brittle, broken, competitive, damage, fail, find a locksmith, frustration, inspect, key, lock, locksmith quote, london locksmith, plan, rate, service, snap, spare, spare key, spare set, sticking, tip, trust, worn
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Posted in Locksmith on Sep 05
We all tend to take locks for granted until the day they seize up, and then it’s all hands on deck to Find a Locksmith. While everything does eventually wear out or become otherwise out-dated, you can avoid being obliged to  replace your locks for quite some considerable time by following these useful tips.
• Non-use is a lock’s worst enemy because it can seize up completely when seldom operated. The only way to avoid this is to use the lock every month, and to take action as soon as this becomes necessary.
• Examine the keys themselves from time to time. Look for signs of obvious damage like bent shafts and worn blades, and obtain a replacement set of keys if in any doubt. A key should also be kept clean too – the last thing you want is to introduce dirt into a lock “deliberately”.
• If you feel resistance when turning a key in a lock with the door closed, do this again but this time with the door open. If it operates smoothly, then the alignment with the door-frame may have shifted. You may  need to Get Locksmith Quotes on Mr-Skill for Free to have the door hinges re-aligned.
• If the resistance is similar no matter whether the door is open or closed, then you have identified a sticking lock which could eventually jam up completely. Locksmiths in London where ironmongery can be old, will always try graphite powder first as a service. If this does not work, then it is time to replace the entire lock.
Maintaining a lock in good working order really is quite a simple matter, when you take precautions as you should with anything else that contains moving parts. Fail to do so, and you could face expensive locksmithing bills, even on Mr-Skill where rates are generally well discounted. And also face the inconvenience of being locked-out too.
Tags: action, align, bend, bent, blade, clean, close, dirt, discount, door, examine, expensive, find a locksmith, frame, graphite, hinge, jam, key, lock, locksmith in london, locksmith quotes, maintain, moving, open, operate, part, replace, resistance, seize, shaft, shift, smooth, stick, turn, use, wear, worn
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Posted in Locksmith on Jul 15
 All of us are confronted with a sticky lock from time to time. Sometimes this is caused by misuse, sometimes the lock is full of gunk, and sometimes rust has begun to creep in. The immediate requirement is to apply some form of lubricant to un-stick it. Unfortunately many of us are tempted to apply liquid oil and all this does is attract more dirt and prepare the lock to jam again. This could be good business for Locksmiths in London, but is of course totally counterproductive in a practical sense.
o Pop down to your local hardware or home improvement store instead, and obtain a tube of graphite powder. This looks like a small toothpaste tube except that it has a long thin spout ideal for your purpose.
o  Back at home, cut off the tip of the long thin tube. Be sure to look the other way as you do this though, because the powder although non-toxic is an irritant. If in any doubt at all, wash your eyes thoroughly under running water.
o Squirt the graphite powder into the keyhole and work the key gently back and forth to un-jam the lock. At all costs to not try to force things and cause the key to snap off in the lock. If this happens, then we suggest you cut your losses and Find a Locksmith on Mr-Skill.
A final word of warning when it comes to the lady of the house – although graphite powder is water soluble it has an impressive ability to stain. The key that is working so nicely now will also have a little graphite sticking to it for a while. The last thing you after all your efforts is to have to get Locksmith Quotes to strip and clean the lock, when a little bit of dexterity with an ear bud or pipe-cleaner will do the job for you just as well.
Tags: dirt, ear bud, eyes, find a locksmith, graphite, gunk, jam, key, lock, locksmith in london, locksmith quotes, lubricant, lubricate, misuse, pipe cleaner, rust, snap, spout, squirt, stain, stick, toxic, work
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Posted in Bricklaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Cleaning Services, Disposals & Waste Removal, Electrical Work, Gardening & Landscaping, General Building, Handyman Services, Kitchen Fitting, Locksmith, Moving Homes & Hauliers, Other Craftsman Services, Painting & Decorating, Planning & Consulting, Plastering & Drywall, Plumbing, Heating & Gas, Roofing, Gutters & Drainage, Tiling & Flooring, Window & Door Fitting on Dec 31
Mr-Skill, the amazing place to find rated tradespeople of all kinds across the face of England wishes all their loyal  customers and partners the very best for the New Year 2011. During 2010 and the preceding years we have built a rare relationship that has gone from strength to strength – for our part, our New Year’s Resolution is to promise you even more exceptional service in the years that follow.
Did you know the full range of services that we connect to in every County of England? We have tradespeople of every kind to assist you all the way from Land’s End to John o’Groats. Just in case you forgot the full range of services available on Mr-Skill, here is a complete list for you to bookmark in case you need it.
o Kitchen Installations
o Electrical Work
o Carpentry and Joinery
o Window Fitting
o Plastering and Dry Walling
o General Handymen
o Moving Specialists
o Gardeners and Landscapers
o General Builders
o Bricklayers
o Roofing and Guttering Experts
o Painters and Decorators
o Locksmiths
o Cleaners and Housekeepers
How is that for a comprehensive range of all the services available from Mr-Skill? Have a great New Year from all of us, and see you in a successful 2011. Thanks very much for all your continuing loyal support, and rest assured, Mr-Skill will be here whenever you are in need what we offer.
Tags: Baths and Heating, Bricklayers, Carpentry and Joinery, Cleaners and Housekeepers, Electrical Work, Gardeners and Landscapers, General Builders, General Handymen, Kitchen Installations, Locksmiths, Moving Specialists, Painters and Decorators, Plastering and Dry Walling, Plumbing, Roofing and Guttering Experts, Tiling and Flooring, Window Fitting
Posted in Bricklaying, Carpentry & Joinery, Cleaning Services, Disposals & Waste Removal, Electrical Work, Gardening & Landscaping, General Building, Handyman Services, Kitchen Fitting, Locksmith, Moving Homes & Hauliers, Other Craftsman Services, Painting & Decorating, Planning & Consulting, Plastering & Drywall, Plumbing, Heating & Gas, Roofing, Gutters & Drainage, Tiling & Flooring, Window & Door Fitting | No Comments »
New Year is the right time to implement plans to make your home safer for the whole family, and that includes making sure  that you can all sleep peacefully at night too. This includes checking that the windows and doors all lock tightly, and that any alarm systems are working as they should. You also need to make sure you have spare keys inside the house in case somebody is trapped and needs to escape, and a spare back and front door key kept with a friendly neighbour, just in case too.
In case you were wondering how to do all this it’s really easy. Simply find a locksmith recommended by Mr-Skill to do it for you at a low, low rate. Before you start though, take a sober look at what is really necessary.
o Do all the locks turn easily? If not, try oiling them with a spray can and see if they improve. An old trick I learned when dealing with sticky Yale-type locks from a pal who once worked for Locksmiths London, is to oil the key and slide it in and out a few times to see if this may help. Remember to dry the key afterwards and to tell your partner what you did too – it not you may get dry-cleaning bills for dirty skirts and pockets.
 o How secure really is each lock? If you could kick in a locked outside door it is time to get quotes for an upgrade. Don’t wait for trouble to happen before you take action here.
o How strong are the doors and windows themselves? There is no point in locking them if the hinges are weak or the panels and panes are paper-thin. Remember, security is a holistic subject and the weakest link commands the entire chain.
o Is it time to install a security alarm or upgrade an existing one? The secret to being secure is to be a tougher target than your neighbours – find out what they are doing and keep a jump ahead of them.
Now that you have thought about what you really need to do to make your Home your Castle, you could go ahead and get locksmith quotes from Mr-Skill. Does that sound like a good idea?
Tags: alarm, back, castle, door, family, find a locksmith, front, hinge, home, key, lock, locksmith quotes, locksmiths london, neighbour, oil, safe, secure, sleep, spare, stick, turn, window
Posted in Locksmith, Project Advice | No Comments »
Posted in Locksmith on Dec 15
We all need a good locksmith from time to time, and are usually in a panic situation when we do. Thanks to the popular website known as Mr-Skill, it is not difficult to find a locksmith when troubles strike.  Despite all the assurances though, the nagging question remains of whether we can trust them with our security. I use the following thought process to help me decide.
o Is the firm registered with a professional body such as the Master Locksmiths Association or is it listed on the Locksmith Register? Is so this is a good start, and it is your guarantee that they are using skilled staff and have quality systems in place too. When a locksmith knows that you know how they are registered, you can be sure that they will not want you to register a complaint.
o Are the locksmith’s premises in your town or your part of the City? When considering locksmiths in London options you will find that they prefer to work in a particular area where they have many customers close by.
o Does the locksmith company have a 24 / 7 callout service? This will prove to be more important than you think when a job fails and you cannot lock up your home at night. Stay away from one who works from eight to five, five days a week because they are unable to provide a genuine locksmith service.
o What spares does the locksmith carry, and how well equipped is their service vehicle? Avoid a firm  that buys in what they need for each job just-in-time, because they may be unable to source urgent spares at night and over weekends.
o Finally, do you have a good feel about the firm, and the service person who calls? Mother Nature gave us a sixth sense, and we have every right to cancel an order if we are not entirely happy. If the firm insists on charging for a call out even after you explain, well, you have your answer, do you not?
When a locksmith passes my little test, and you found them on Mr-Skill too, it is highly likely that your can accept their locksmith quotes and get on with the repair. How is that for peace of mind?
Tags: 24/7, assurance, call out, callout, complaint, day, find a locksmith, guarantee, locksmith quotes, locksmith register, locksmiths london, master locksmiths association, night, panic, premises, quality, register, security, skill, spares, trouble, vehicle, weekend
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Posted in Locksmith on Dec 01
Home security is an ongoing project that is never finished, because criminals are getting smarter all the time. New technologies are always being introduced to counter these latest risks – the trick to managing security costs is to identify the most likely threats facing you, and have good insurance plan just in case the crooks break through your systems. A good way to start a security upgrade is to find a locksmith on Mr-Skill where we assess newcomers before we list them.
Here are some rules to follow:
 o Never leave anything to chance. Your home is never completely safe, especially if you are away, pottering in the garden or asleep inside. Decide on the precautions that you need to take, implement these and always be on your guard. The day that you do no not feel like setting the alarm or locking the front door is sometimes the day that burglars choose too.
o Starting from the outside, you could protect your home from entry with anti-climb paint, burglar bars and lights that turn on when there is an intrusion. A clever way to deter a crook is to have gravel strewn around your house – no burglar likes to make a noise when they approach a home.
o A burglar alarm is a good idea, particularly if you pay to have it monitored. These days home alarms come with panic, fire and medical buttons too. Make sure the firm you choose to come to your assistance will do that swiftly too, and when you need it most.
o Good quality locks on doors and windows are just as important, because the last thing you really want is a burglar inside your house setting off the alarm. In this regard, make sure that your alarm company or a trusted neighbour has a key so they could gain access to your home should this be necessary. British Insurance firms usually favour a strong front door lock of the mortice deadlock kind with a British Standard Kitemark – make sure when you get locksmith quotes that the other access points like windows and the back door will be equally well secured, because security is never better than its weakest point.
o Never render your house invisible behind high walls and gates. Crooks like to work in secluded surroundings where the neighbours cannot peep. Locksmiths London based always recommend cutting high bushes away around the house too.
o Finally, do not advertise that your house is standing empty when you are away on holiday. By this, I mean stop newspaper and milk deliveries, and ask Royal Mail to hold your post. If you have lights inside the house that you can set on timer, this will be an excellent deterrent too.
When you follow this advice, you should have less chance of burglary. Why not tell your insurance company what you have done – you could end up paying lower premiums and excesses if you got it right.
Tags: alarm, alarm monitor, avoid a break in, bars, burglar, bushes, company, crook, danger, deterrent, door, excess, find a locksmith, fire, gates, home, insurance, lock, locksmith quotes, locksmiths london, mail, medical, milk, mortice, neighbour, newspaper, panic, paper, premium, protect, response, risk, safety, secirity monitor company, security, security monitor, stop, timer, upgrade, walls, window
Posted in Locksmith | No Comments »
 Before starting to drill a hole, you will need to centre punch the surface of the metal to provide a start for the drill bit, preventing it from slipping or skating across the metal pipe or plate, and ensuring accuracy. Mark the metal where you want to drill, and then line up the point of your centring tool – hitting it firmly with a hammer to produce a small round indentation. If you are drilling through thin metal you may need to place something behind it to prevent creating too large a dent, or if drilling into a metal pipe, tap lightly and start your pilot hole with the smallest drill size you have available.
To start your hole, it is best to start with a pilot hole – a narrower bore in the metal than what is required, and then change up to a larger size drill bit. If you have a power drill that is not particularly powerful or are drilling through metal that requires a slower drilling speed, you may also want to make an intermediate sized hole – for example 4mm > 8mm > 12mm.
 It is essential to keep the drill bit as sharp as possible or else there is the chance that it will overheat and damage the bit beyond repair. For the same reason lubrication may be required – especially if drilling a hole deeper than the width of the bit (and always on stainless steel). Speed is another factor to consider. If you drill too fast, you will over heat the drill and the metal edging of your hole. If you drill too slowly, you will not get a clean edge on your hole and although sharp edges and burrs can be filed down once the job is complete, they are a safety hazard whilst you continue to drill.
Manufacturers of variable speed power drills will usually include a guide to drill speeds with the tool´s instruction book and, although it is always recommended to follow the manufacturer´s instructions, should you not have access to one, please click here to access Mr Skill´s Guide to Drill Speeds. If you do not have a variable speed drill, or one which operates faster than the speed you wish to drill at, intermittently release the trigger and give the RPM of the drill a chance to slow down.
Safety Advice
When drilling metal you should always wear goggles and keep a good grip on your drill. Do not use a drill if it has a frayed electrical cable or when working near water. Wear gloves wherever possible and remove metals shavings with a soft brush and then wipe down the area with a disposable cloth.
If you do not have adequate tools for the job or have allowed your drill bits to become blunt or damaged, do not attempt drilling through metal. Instead get quotes from builders in London through our “Post-a-Job” facility at the top of each page and stay safe!
Tags: drill, drill bits, drill speeds, Find a Builder in London, gloves, goggles, hammer, metal, power drills, project advice, safety recommendations, stainless steel
Posted in Electrical Work, General Building, Handyman Services, Kitchen Fitting, Locksmith | No Comments »
Posted in Locksmith on Sep 15
A Yale-Type cylinder lock is popular for several reasons. These locks are hard to pick, you can open them from inside without a key, and you can deadlock them too. Unfortunately, unless you deadlock them a thief can enter if they have a key. This is why it is always best to change the cylinder in a Yale lock, if in doubt, and definitely when you move to a new home. If things go well you will not need to find a locksmith. If not, then there is always Mr-Skill.
 o Obtain a suitable replacement lock with similar markings to those on the old one that you need to change.
o First remove the lockbox inside the door – this is the piece that houses the bolt itself, the deadlock and the turning handle. Simply remove the screws attaching it to the door, and wiggle it off carefully.
o When you have done this, you will see a metal backing plate with two screws passing through it. These go through the door and hold the lock in place that you are going to change. Remove these screws. They are usually made of brass, so take care not to strip the heads.
o Push the barrel gently out through the door and catch it on the outside before it falls and chips your tiles. If you cannot release the lock, try tapping gently.
o Compare the old and new lock. If the thin wobbly metal bars are different lengths then trim the new one accordingly, by snapping it off at an appropriate groove. Re-assemble the lock using the new lock cylinder in the reverse order. Store the spare key somewhere safe.
Locksmiths in London charge an arm and leg to do a simple job like this. Are you not glad that you learned about Mr-Skill and do not need locksmith quotes?
Tags: backing plate, barrel, barrel lock, bolt, brass, break, change, compare, cylinder lock, deadlock, find a locksmith, groove, handle, lock, lockbox, locksmith quotes, locksmiths london, lost key, markings, new home, new house, plate, push out, push through, remove, replace, replacement, screws, snap, unscrew, yale, yale lock
Posted in Locksmith | No Comments »
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