Guides
Pick the right lock the first time.
Short, no-nonsense guides from the Lock Depot bench — organized by manufacturer. Which lever, which closer, which exit device, and how to spec it right.
Schlage
BUYING GUIDESchlage B660P Deadbolt: Which Grade for an Apartment Door
Grade 1 or Grade 2? Single or double cylinder? A 30-year locksmith picks the right Schlage deadbolt for an apartment entry door — and explains why the strike si
WHERE TO BUYSchlage Commercial Locks: Where to Buy Them Online
A 30-year locksmith on buying Schlage commercial locks online — how the ND, L-Series, and B600 lines differ from the retail Schlage at the hardware store, what
BUYING GUIDESchlage ND-Series Lever: Which Function for a High-Traffic Office Door
A 30-year locksmith on picking the right Schlage ND lever for a high-traffic office door: reading the function code, entrance vs storeroom vs classroom, and why
BUYING GUIDESchlage B660: Which Grade 1 Deadbolt for a Commercial Door
A locksmith on the Schlage B660 Grade 1 deadbolt for a commercial or apartment exterior door: single vs double cylinder and the egress trap, the 1-inch throw, k
BUYING GUIDESchlage L9000 Mortise: Which Function for an Office Building Door
A locksmith on picking the Schlage L9000 mortise function for a commercial building: storeroom (L9080) vs office (L9050) vs classroom (L9070), reading the funct
BUYING GUIDESchlage AL Series: The Grade 2 Lever for a Light Commercial Door
A locksmith on the Schlage AL Grade 2 lever for a light commercial door: when Grade 2 beats paying for the ND, passage vs entry vs storeroom function, and the S
BUYING GUIDESchlage LE-Series: Wireless Lockdown for a Mortise Door
Schlage LE-Series wireless mortise lock: lockdown control for a door you can't rewire. Storeroom vs privacy/office, real SKUs, and the ENGAGE Gateway catch.
BUYING GUIDESchlage L9080: Choosing an L-Series Lock for Coastal Doors
Salt air eats plated hardware fast. A locksmith on picking the right Schlage L-Series function and finish for an exterior door near the water.
BUYING GUIDESchlage CO-100: Keypad Lock for One Door, No Wiring
Schlage CO-100-CY-70-KP keypad lock adds pushbutton code access to one storeroom or classroom door, no wiring. FSIC or SFIC. Phone orders only.
Von Duprin
TROUBLESHOOTINGVon Duprin 99: Fix a Panic Bar That Won't Latch on a Metal Fire Door
A fire door that won't latch is a failed fire door. A 30-year locksmith walks through why panic bars stop latching on hollow metal doors, what you can fix on th
WHERE TO BUYVon Duprin Exit Devices: Where to Buy Them Online
A 30-year locksmith on buying Von Duprin exit devices online: how to read the model number, 98 vs 99, EO vs NL vs lever trim, why the -F suffix is non-negotiabl
BUYING GUIDEVon Duprin 33A: Exit Device for an Aluminum Storefront Door
A locksmith on the Von Duprin 33A for a narrow-stile aluminum storefront door: why not the 98/99, EO vs night-latch, sizing the leaf, US28 vs satin chrome, and
BUYING GUIDEVon Duprin 98/99: Exit Device for a Hollow-Metal Fire Door
A locksmith on the Von Duprin 98/99 rim exit device for a hollow-metal door: the smooth vs grooved case, fire-rated -F and why it cannot be dogged, EO vs night-
BUYING GUIDEVon Duprin 9927: Surface Vertical Rod for a Pair of Doors
A locksmith on the Von Duprin 9927 surface vertical rod exit device for an open pair of doors with no mullion: surface vs concealed rod, EO/NL/DT trim, the fire
BUYING GUIDEVon Duprin 6111: Electric Strike for a Fire-Rated Panic Bar
Adding card access to a fire-rated door that already has a panic bar. A locksmith on the Von Duprin 6111, the 3031 drop-in retrofit, fail-secure on a rated open
LCN
BUYING GUIDELCN 4040XP: Stop a Heavy Commercial Door From Slamming
Fix a slamming commercial door with the LCN 4040XP: size the spring, choose the arm config, and dial the latch valve. A locksmith's field guide.
BUYING GUIDELCN 4110: The Parallel-Arm Closer for an Abused Door
A locksmith on the LCN 4110 Smoothee with the extra-duty parallel arm for a high-abuse door: why parallel-arm mounting survives, what the EDA arm and heavy shoe
HES
BUYING GUIDEHES 1006 vs 1500: Electric Strike for a Card-Reader Metal Frame
A locksmith on picking the HES electric strike for a card-reader retrofit: 1006 vs heavy-duty 1500, fail-safe vs fail-secure, latchbolt vs deadbolt version, and
BUYING GUIDEHES 9600: The Windstorm-Rated Strike for a Coastal Door
Submittal rejected at the strike line? A locksmith on the HES 9600: ANSI/SDI 250.13 windstorm certified, Florida Building Code approved, what the static and dyn
Sargent
BUYING GUIDESargent 8200 Mortise Lock: Which Function for a School Corridor
A locksmith on picking the Sargent 8200 mortise function for an abused school corridor: storeroom (8204) vs office (8205), reading the function code, handing, a
BUYING GUIDESargent 80 Series: Narrow-Stile Exit Device for an Aluminum Door
A locksmith on the Sargent 8300 narrow-stile mortise exit device for an aluminum door: why narrow-stile, what the mortise latch buys you, keying it into an exis
BUYING GUIDESargent 10 Line Cylindrical: Storeroom vs Office Function
A locksmith on the Sargent 10 Line Grade 1 cylindrical lever lock for a commercial door: cylindrical vs mortise, storeroom (10G04) vs office (10G05) function, r
Yale
BUYING GUIDEYale nexTouch vs a Keyed Lever for a Small-Office Front Door
A locksmith on the Yale nexTouch keypad lock vs a keyed lever for a small office: no re-keying when staff leave, standalone vs networked, the -2802 vs -LC cylin
BUYING GUIDEYale 8800 Mortise Storeroom Lock for a Door That Locks Itself
A locksmith on the Yale 8800 storeroom-function mortise lock for a supply or IT room: how storeroom function locks the door by default, why mortise over cylindr
BUYING GUIDEYale 7100F vs 7100: The Fire-Rated Rim Exit Decision
A locksmith on the Yale 7100F versus the 7100: what the F changes, why a rated door can never be dogged, electric latch retraction as the legal fix, and reading
Corbin Russwin
BUYING GUIDECorbin Russwin ML2000: Which Mortise Function for Restroom vs Office
A locksmith on spec'ing Corbin Russwin ML2000 mortise functions for a build-out: privacy on restrooms, storeroom vs entry on offices, passage on closets, and ma
BUYING GUIDECorbin Russwin CL3300: Extra-Heavy-Duty Cylindrical for a Campus Door
A locksmith on the Corbin Russwin CL3300 extra-heavy-duty Grade 1 cylindrical lock for a high-traffic campus door: classroom vs storeroom vs passage, the lockdo
Adams Rite
BUYING GUIDEAdams Rite MS1850 Deadbolt for a Narrow-Stile Glass Door
A locksmith on the Adams Rite MS1850 deadlock for an aluminum narrow-stile glass door: why an MS deadlock, straight bolt vs hookbolt for single vs pair, getting
BUYING GUIDEAdams Rite 4300 Steel Hawk: Access Control for a Storefront Door
A locksmith on the Adams Rite 4300 Steel Hawk electrified latch for an aluminum storefront: buzz-in access with no maglock, fail-secure vs fail-safe, and pickin
TROUBLESHOOTINGAdams Rite 4510: Fix a Storefront Door That Won't Latch
A 30-year locksmith on the Adams Rite 4510 deadlatch: the ten-second plunger test that tells a worn latch from a bad strike or a sagging door, and how to order
BUYING GUIDEAdams Rite 7400: Electric Strike for a Door Under Preload
The strike buzzes and the door will not open on a windy afternoon. That is preload. A locksmith on the Adams Rite 7400 UltraLine, fail-safe vs fail-secure, and
BUYING GUIDEAdams Rite 4591 Paddle: Handing a Storefront Exit Correctly
A locksmith on the Adams Rite 4591 deadlatch paddle: calling the hand from the sidewalk, matching the paddle to the 4510 or 4900 behind it, and why 313 never qu
Detex
BUYING GUIDEDetex ECL-230: Stop a Back Exit Door From Getting Propped
A locksmith on the Detex ECL-230 exit control lock: how an alarmed exit stops a propped or misused back door without blocking egress, the 230D vs 230X-TDB deadb
BUYING GUIDEDetex Advantex 10: The Exit Device for a Door That Gets Abused
A gym door that eats panic bars. A locksmith on the Detex Advantex 10: wide versus narrow stile, rim versus vertical rod, cylinder dogging, and what a fire rati
Norton
BUYING GUIDENorton 7500: Which Closer for a Heavy Institutional Door
A locksmith on the Norton 7500 institutional door closer for a school or hospital door: what heavy-duty buys over a standard closer, regular vs parallel vs top-
BUYING GUIDENorton 7570: Security Closer for a Detention or Behavioral-Health Door
A locksmith on the Norton 7570 security door closer for a detention, intake, or behavioral-health door: the rigid one-piece arm and tamper-resistant hardware, r
BUYING GUIDENorton 1600: The Adjustable Closer for a Light Commercial Door
A locksmith on the Norton 1600 adjustable closer for a light commercial door: non-handed tri-style mounting, hold-open vs standard, and when to step up to a 750
Falcon
Trine
Securitron
Kaba Ilco Simplex
Best
Rixson
Hager
Glynn Johnson
BUYING GUIDEGlynn-Johnson 450: Overhead Stop for a Door That Slams Into a Wall
A locksmith on the Glynn-Johnson 450 Series surface overhead stop for a door that over-swings into a wall or fixture: what a stop does that a closer can't, stop
BUYING GUIDEGlynn-Johnson HL6: A Push-Pull Latch for a Hospital Corridor
A locksmith on the Glynn-Johnson HL6 push-pull latch: why levers die on cart corridors, standard function versus the 9010 mortise version, PL7 versus PL8, and S
Don Jo
BUYING GUIDEDon-Jo Latch Protector: Stop a Pry Attack on an Outswing Door
A locksmith on the Don-Jo latch protector for an outswing commercial door: why outswing doors expose the latch, surface vs pin-mounted (PMLP), what it doesn't f
BUYING GUIDEFlush Bolts and a Coordinator for a Pair of Doors
A locksmith on flush bolts and a coordinator for a pair of doors: metal vs wood flush bolts, the dust-proof strike, why the coordinator matters, and rated-pair
Altronix
BUYING GUIDEAltronix LPS3C24X: Power Supply for a Maglock Door
A locksmith on sizing the power supply for an access-controlled door: why the cheaper 24VAC camera supply will not run a DC maglock, what battery backup is real
BUYING GUIDEAltronix AL600ULACM: Power for Fail-Safe Locks on Several Doors
Altronix AL600ULACM power supply and access power controller for fail-safe locks on multiple doors, with built-in fire alarm disconnect. Sizing notes.
Olympus
BUYING GUIDEOlympus 800LCM: Cabinet Deadbolt on Your Building's Keyway
A locksmith on the Olympus 800LCM Grade 1 cabinet drawer deadbolt: why less cylinder is the point, keying a pharmacy or lab cabinet into the building master, an
BUYING GUIDEOlympus DCR4 vs DCN4: Keying a Row of File Cabinets Alike
Olympus DCR4 vs DCN4 cam locks for keying a bank of file cabinets alike: R Series vs N Series pin count, keyed-alike codes, and install notes.
SDC
BUYING GUIDESDC 1511S: Delayed Egress for a Door That Keeps Walking
Merchandise walking out the back exit? A locksmith on the SDC 1511S ExitCheck integrated delayed egress lock: what holds, what releases it, when an exit alarm i
BUYING GUIDESDC 45 Series: One Electric Strike for a Frame You Can't Identify
Unmarked frame, job on Friday. A locksmith on the field-selectable SDC 45 Series electric strike: fail-safe vs fail-secure, matching voltage, and the preload tr
BUYING GUIDESDC Z7800: Electrified Lockset for a Fire-Rated Stairwell Door
SDC Z7800 electrified mortise lockset for stairwell and elevator lobby doors where code bans electric strikes and mag locks. Specs, handing, and FAQ.
TownSteel
BUYING GUIDETownSteel MRX: Anti-Ligature Mortise Locks for a Patient Room
A locksmith on specifying TownSteel MRX anti-ligature mortise locks for behavioral health: arch trim vs knobs, function by room, handing, and the override quest
BUYING GUIDETownSteel MSS: A Heavy-Duty Mortise Lock That Isn't a Big Three Price
Forty doors and a big-three mortise quote that no longer works. A locksmith on the TownSteel MSS: where a value line earns its keep, and why keying is the real
BUYING GUIDETownSteel MSS: Office or Classroom Function for a School Door
TownSteel MSS Entry/Office vs Classroom function for a school corridor door: what each does, why mixing them causes lockouts, and how to order it right.
DynaLock
BUYING GUIDEDynaLock 2500 vs 2000 vs 3000: Sizing a Maglock by Holding Force
650, 1200 or 1500 lb? A locksmith on sizing a DynaLock maglock: what holding force is actually rated for, why a misaligned lock loses most of it, and swing befo
BUYING GUIDEDynaLock 2013: Maglock for an Outdoor Swing or Slide Gate
DynaLock 2013 maglock for an outdoor gate: standard, rear-wire-exit, and Dynastat variants explained, plus weatherproofing and backup power notes.
IEI
Ives
BUYING GUIDEIves 700 Continuous Hinge: For a Door That Keeps Tearing Out Hinges
Rehung three times and still sagging? A locksmith on the Ives 700 continuous hinge: why load concentrates at three points, and when a ball-bearing hinge is the
BUYING GUIDEIves 8400 Protection Plates: Sizing a Kick Plate That Fits
A locksmith on sizing Ives 8400 kick, mop and armor plates: the minus-2-inch rule on a single door, minus-1 on a pair, and why you measure the door and never th
BUYING GUIDEIves 8302 Pull Plates: Sizing a Pair of Doors Right
Ordering pull plates for a pair of doors? A locksmith on sizing, cutout placement, and keeping both leaves matched.
Arrow Lock
PHI
Centrios
Alarm
Amsec
BUYING GUIDEAMSEC BWB3020: A Drop Safe for a Store That Takes Cash
A locksmith on the AMSEC BWB3020 depository safe: how a coat hanger fishes a cheap drop box, what the anti-fish baffle does, B-rate steel, ESL lock tiers, and b
BUYING GUIDEAMSEC ESL10: Replacing a Mechanical Dial With a Keypad
Old dial slowing you down? Kent breaks down retrofitting an AMSEC ESL10 keypad lock, and how the ESL5, ESL10-XL, ESL10-S, and ESL20-XL tiers compare.
Arm-A-Dor
BEST
Folger Adam
Kaba Ilco E Plex
Keedex
KSP
Master
Pro-Lok
Protex Safes
Rutherford Controls (RCI)
BUYING GUIDERCI 8371 MiniMag: A Maglock for an Opening Too Small
A locksmith on the RCI 8371 MiniMag and the small-format mag family: picking by opening instead of holding force, mounting-surface flex, glass brackets, and fai
BUYING GUIDERCI 8320: One Maglock for a Pair of Outswinging Doors
RCI 8320 double outswinging maglock: one housing for a pair of doors instead of two single mags. Finishes, DSS sensor option, and sizing tips.
Soss Hinges
Stanley
Supra
V-Line
Commercial Hardware
Other Guides
BUYING GUIDESchlage B660: Which Grade 1 Deadbolt for a Commercial Door
A locksmith on the Schlage B660 Grade 1 deadbolt for a commercial or apartment exterior door: single vs double cylinder and the egress trap, the 1-inch throw, k
BUYING GUIDEVon Duprin 98/99: Exit Device for a Hollow-Metal Fire Door
A locksmith on the Von Duprin 98/99 rim exit device for a hollow-metal door: the smooth vs grooved case, fire-rated -F and why it cannot be dogged, EO vs night-
BUYING GUIDESimplex Mechanical Pushbutton: The Keyless Lock With No Battery
A locksmith on the Simplex mechanical pushbutton lock for a stockroom or back office: no battery to die, the one-code limit, reading the override letter (Best/S
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