Removing the Commercial Lock Cylinder For Carry-In Service

If you have an office door with a nice commercial lock on it, you can save money by removing the outer handle and taking it to a hardware store that has a locksmith on staff.  Here is how you remove the handle or knob.

1. First, you must have a working key.  With the door open, insert the key and turn as far as it will go.
2. Holding the key in the turned position, use a heavy paper clip and insert it into the tiny hole that is either on the 3 or 6 o'clock position on the knob spindle.  Sometimes this hole is on the knob but it is usually on the "neck" that joins the lever or knob to the door.
3. Depress this "catch" fully with the paper clip while pulling the knob or lever towards you.  Sometimes, you have to release the key a bit while you pull.
4. To reinstall, put the key in the lock in the knob or lever.  Slide it onto the knob "neck" or spindle. Once the knob or lever stops, turn the key, watch the latch retract, and push the knob or lever onto the spindle. Return your key to the upright position and remove.
5. If your key will not remove, push on the lever or knob so it slides onto the spindle more securely.  The knob must be inserted fully into place before you can remove the key.

In Order to be Code-Compliant, Replace Those Knobs With Levers!

If your business is not equipped with handicap access locks, door closers, and ramps, then you may be losing business.  It has been popularly believed, and studies conducted by US Lock have shown, that businesses who make their stores handicap-friendly can expect as much as a 30% increase in business traffic.

Think about it.  If your front door has a door knob, then you are limiting your clientele.  Older people with arthritis and handicap people cannot open door knobs very easily.  A lever, on the other hand, is easy to open with an elbow, a fist or forearm.  In fact, at home, I often find myself wishing I had levers!  Especially when I am bringing in an armload of groceries!

If you have church building, then the codes people will probably never bother you.  But, why would you subject your older and handicap members to the pain and discomfort of using knobs?  It does not make sense. 

When you consider installing levers on your building, shop carefully.  I would avoid Yale and Corbin Russwin because of quality issues, and Sargeant and Schlage because of pricing issues.  Now, you can indict me for being self-serving here; but I install the LSDA medium and heavy grade levers for clients like General Mills and Pillsbury.  If you have a medium-duty application, like an office or a church, choose the medium grade.  For industrial areas and high traffic situations, use the heavy duty grade.

Yes, I do sell LSDA levers and I do sell them very cheaply.  They come with a manufacturer's warranty against materials and workmanship.  This warranty is for 15 years.  Call me at 615-308-6794 after you have shopped and give me the name of the lock you would like to purchase and I will try to beat that price!  Do note that there are two back sets for the latches. Most residential doors are 2 3/8 inches and commercial are 2 3/4 inches.  Give me a call!

Murfreesboro, Tennessee Locksmith Rates

In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, you can expect these kinds of rates for locks service. First, I will list the rates that A-Best Locksmith charges.

•  Service call $45 - $50
• Price per lock cylinder to re-key - $13 to 17.50
• Car opening - $55 (I pay the sales tax!)
• Safe recombination - $125 to $150
• Grade 2 commercial door lever - $150 installed
• Deadbolt installation - $50 if lock provided by customer, $75 if I provide the lock
• Open home - $65 to $75
• Door Closer - $195 for basic grade 1 overhead surface mount, $395 for concealed closer

Here are what my competitors charge

1. Car Opening - $45 to $75
2. Basic Service Call - $45 to $60
3. Lock re-key per cylinder $13 to $18.50
4. Grade 2 commercial lever - $185 by one locksmith

Removing A Commercial Knob or Lever

If you want to remove a commercial knob or lever, all you need is a heavy paperclip, a #2 Phillips driver and a flat-head driver. Follow these instructions.

1. On the inside part of the lock, look at the round stem of the lock from to which the knob or lever is attached. On either the left at right side of the lock you will see a small hole. Insert your paperclip straight in and depress the hidden button inside.
2. While you are pressing, pull the knob or lever off towards you.
3. Take you flat-head driver and pry off the rose. This is a round dish-shaped part that covers the screw holes and spring cassette. Sometimes, you can just grab it and turn it a few degrees to the left and it will pop off.
4. Now you can see the screws. Remove them. On some Schlage models, however, there is a nut on the spindle with 4 square notches in it. It is in a tight place, recessed in the spring cassette. Take your flat-head driver and a hammer and lightly tap this around, counterclockwise, until it comes off.
5. Some locks use an Allen wrench to hold the lever on. In this case, the Allen screw would take the place of the hidden button.

The Amazing Medium Grade Lever!

If you have a business office and are looking to beef up the security on your office doors, you need look no further than the LSDA Grade 2 Leverset. Not only are these levers attractive, but they also come with LSDA's incredible 15 year warranty which covers materials and workmanship.  Available in brushed nickle, bright brass, or bronze, these levers will fit in any office decor. They come in the standard entry by key function for your office doors, storeroom function for electrical and janitor room doors, and classroom function that can be left unlocked by key or locked by. Finish off your restrooms with the privacy function and you are good to go!

The LSDA Medium Grade Lever is compatible for home or business and is offered with the 2-3/8 latch for the home and the 2-3/4 latch for commercial applications. These latches have a 1/2 inch throw and include an ANSI 4-7/8 inch  by 1-1/4 inch strike. These levers will fit door that are 1-3/8 to 1-7/8 inches thick utilizing a standard 2-1/8 diameter hole. These levers are non-handed.

If you are in a situation where children are hanging form the locks or employees get angry when the door is locked, consider ordering the lever with the clutch mechanism.  The clutch allows the locked outside lever to go through the opening motion without opening the door, thereby relieving pressure on the lever. The rigid model, however, is the one I use most.

One of the most attractive features of these levers is that they can be through-bolted as an option.  In the event you install this lock on an exit door, this option is desirable. If you choose not to through-bolt this lever, you can use small self-tapping screws on the inside plate.  This will keep the lock from slipping around during vandalism. However, for inside applications, no through-bolting or additional screws is necessary.

Locksmiths pay around $38 for these levers, but don't let the price fool you! I use this lock exclusively for small business, medium-duty applications and the results are great.  Expect to pay as much as $185 for an installation by Middle Tennessee locksmiths.

Overall, I would choose this Grade 2 lock over all other competitors, just for the warranty alone.