We started September meeting of LSA with a packed house! There were several good speakers and a lot of interaction among the members. We had the largest sign-up for a new year since I have been associated with the organization. I talked with a few mem-bers at the end of the meeting, and received phone calls over the next few days, all with a variety of comments; so, I am dedicat-ing this month’s column to those individuals who spoke up. Concerning the Speakers, comments included: – “Rob (Rittner) opened my eyes to more things for my business.” – “I am impressed with the Association.” – “I did not know Rittner/French had that many products.” – “I hope next month will be as informative.” – “As a new member, I gained much information.” – “Very informative.” – “I am overwhelmed, but eager to learn more so I can increase – “I didn’t know there was that much to learn, but I am my business.” ready.” – “I was able to solve a problem in my classroom after speaking with William (Trout).” – “I need an application to join so I can accelerate my knowledge.” Comments about the Business Meeting: – “It was managed well.” – “This Association has many talented members whom I can glean from.” – “My time was well spent.” – “WOW! The time flew by.” – “I hope we can have fruit during break at the next meeting.” (There will be!) I hope all the meetings will be this productive. We have an exciting agenda of speakers for October. Clint Griffin, who is from Canada will demonstrate his Safe Door Systems products. Come ready to try to kick some doors down! The other speaker is Jay-son Malusky (please see page 5 for details). But also we have a variety of members who will present interesting information. See you in October.

-by Al Moebus

LOCKSMITH SECURITYASSOCIATION

LSA REPORTER VOLUME 22, NO.2

EDITORS: William M. Lynk, CRL * Alvin Moebus

OCTOBER, 2008

LSA Website: http://www.LsaMichigan.org Publication Deadline: Submit items Two (2) Weeks (14 calendar days) by 5:00 p. m. prior to the next LSA meeting date.

President—Kevin Thompson (586) 716-1177 Education Chairman—Marc Dearing, CRL (810) 244-4038 Vice President—Kelvin Heath (313) 647-6275 Membership Secretary—Alvin Moebus (313) 885-9365 Secretary—Bryan Guerin (810) 656-5221 Public Relations—John Hubel, CML (586) 615-3969 Treasurer—John Shamass (586) 296-2438 Librarian—Larry Williams, RL, CPP (248) 917-2323 Sargent-At-Arms—Jason Snyder (313) 330-6778 Board of Directors: Newsletter—William M. Lynk, CRL (313) 884-9800 Rob Rovinsky, CPL; Maurice Horne, CML; Larry Walker, CRL; Newsletter—Alvin Moebus (313) 885-9365 John Hubel, CML; Robert Noble, CML, CPS; Larry Williams, RL, CPP Webmaster—William M. Lynk, CRL (313) 884-9800

LSA MEMBERS SPOKE UP!

LSA Officers

We are sure all of you have had those pesky American Padlock or Master Padlock cylinders to open and rekey. Of course there is no working key available. With the cylinder out of the lock, my usual option would be picking or shimming. When picking fails, try to shim the cylinder. When you Shim a cylinder, the Master/American serrated pins can prove to be quite a challenge but

I have a little trick I have used successfully. Take a DEPTH key and “laser” cut it to an all ONE depth, no peaks, and run the cut out to the very tip. Do this with each depth. You end up with a set of depth keys that will raise the bottom pin to the shear line. One you get the tip pin shimmed, start the process over again with the next pin and so on and so forth. Using the depth keys will effectively bypass the serrations on the pins. I use this on the padlock cylinders but it will work on any lock where you are sure the depths are to manufacturer’s standards.

PAGE 2 LSA REPORTER

NEXT LSA

MEETING THURSDAY,

NOV. 13TH AT 7:30 P.M.

PRP GLOSSARY—KEEPING YOU “IN THE KNOW”

parity)—n. the property of being either even or odd, as the depth number of a bit-ting in a combination, or the possible progressives in a given position of a two step progression

ASIS—abb. American Society for Industrial Security

Locksmith Security Association meets at 7:30 p.m., the second Thursday

of the month (Sept. to June) in the Metro Detroit Area in

southeast Michigan: UAW Hall (in Troy)

1640 Stephenson Hwy., just north of Maple (15 Mile Rd.),

on the east side of street.

TECH TIPS—HOLDING THOSE NUTS, BOLTS & SCREWS

♦ LSA of Michigan supports all educational initiatives regardless of a specific supplier, brand, and/or manufacturer.♦

Newsletter Submissions Any member of LSA can submit items, articles, columns or trivia for the LSA Newsletter. You don’t have to be a writer to do so! All we ask is that you submit to us via e-mail as a Word.doc attachment to: icls@ICLSglobal.com by:→ 2 weeks prior to the next LSA Meeting, 5p.m. deadline That means, at least 14 days prior to the next meeting, by 5:00 p.m. (EST). That way, you are assured of getting into the Newsletter. Earlier submissions are greatly appreciated so that we can plan space requirements. This deadline applies to Board Members, Chair Per-sons, Sponsors, and General Members. Submissions are accepted ONLY by e-mail (no FAXs, phone or snail mail submissions, sorry). RECEIVED Indication Procedure: Whenever a Member, Board Member or Chair e-mails me something for the Newsletter, I will immediately hit my REPLY button and respond ONLY with “received”. It’s not meant as a formal e-mail. This is intended only as an indication for you that I have successfully received your e-mail. It does not indi-cate that I have yet read, analyzed, edited, downloaded or worked with the information. It’s just an: “I got it!” confirmation for your knowledge. Thanks to all of our excellent LSA volunteers and we look forward to your submissions!

VOLUME 22, NO.2

October 9 – LSA meeting 7:30 pm November 8 – Complete Door Hardware & Door Closers November 13 – LSA meeting 7:30 pm December 11 – LSA meeting 7:30 pm January 10, 2009 – PRP Sitting 8:30 am April / May, 2009 – Exit Devices & Exit Alarms

Decoding for the CTRL Key-In SFIC systems, it is always prudent to measure ALL pins when decoding for the control key. If the system is A2, and your core is combi-nated based on accepted industry standards, then the fol-lowing formula is a quick and to the point way to determine the control cuts:

13—Top Pin = CTRL Cut However, the Conventional Formula will work, regardless of the depths of the top pins, as shown below: (Build Up Pin – 10*) + Plug Total = CTRL Cut *A2 (10 ); A3 (7); A4 (6)

PAGE 3 VOLUME 22, NO.2

“Qwik-Qwiz

Q): Temporary magnet-ism, that can be turned on and off, is called____________. A) gravity B) electromagnetism C) Ohm’s Law D) alternating current

[answer on page 8]

WEB LINKS

IC CORNER—WILLIAM M. LYNK, CRL

CALENDAR OF LSA EVENTS—SEE WEBSITE FOR COMPREHENSIVE LIST

ALOA www.aloa.org IDN-Hardware Sales, Inc. www.idnhardware.com ClearStar Security Network www.clearstar.com LAB www.labpins.com LSA www.LsaMichigan.org

“Education, Knowledge & Cooperation—

Caesar (& Marcus) —LSA Mascots

PUBLIC RELATIONS—JOHN HUBEL, CML

LOCKSMITH RELATIONS What is your role in locksmithing? LSA is composed of a diverse group of locksmiths. Some members are shop own-ers and have been for many years. There are locksmiths who maintain a one-person operation and have no intention of doing anything different. There are many at every place in between. Still another group is the second career locksmith who wants to scale down on the amount of time he spends

locksmithing. Then comes along what one can consider a relatively new group. This group is what we will call the “niche filler”. This locksmith does not want to be bogged down with the day-to-day operations of running a business, nor does this locksmith wish to be obligated to working for just one company. He has cer-tain specialties that he does very well and would like to do his specialty for any locksmith without taking away the other locksmith’s business. This niche filling locksmith can easily……... (continued, bottom of Page 7 )

PAGE 4 VOLUME 22, NO.2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE—KEVIN THOMPSON, CRL

Hello Everyone, I want to thank everyone who made comments to me on how well the last meeting went. I do appreciate your input. We have more great speakers slotted for the October meeting, as well as more great give-aways and raffles. I hope to see everyone there. On another note, we were talking at previous meetings about how to increase your sales. I was recently talking to a friend who is a State

Farm agent about some of the better ways to secure a home. I was always under the assump-tion that your homeowners insurance gave you a break for having deadbolts installed. My agent friend informed me that State Farm actually requires deadbolts to be installed on a home, not an option. I'm not sure about other companies’ policies, but it’s a good suggestion to a homeowner that their items may not be covered if their home is broken into…and they don't have deadbolts on their doors. -Kevin M. Thompson, CRL— President, LSA

Changes & Notes - Education Department Location Change for the November Class LSA will be relocating the Complete Door Hardware & Door Closers Class from the Holiday Inn Roseville to Woodside Bible Church 27300 Hoover Rd, Warren, MI 48093 on November 8th If students are will-ing, after the class is finished they will have an opportunity to install new Door Closers at the church (it is volunteer only). It should take about an 2 hours. Reschedule Date for February The scheduled Instructor has a prior commitment on February 9th with another association. We are working with him to reschedule the Exit Devices & Exit Alarms for April / May 2009.

Free Classes Part of your membership does in include Free or Discounted Classes, available for any LSA Members who volunteer to help/host any of the 2009 Classes. The available months are: April, May and June. Contact: Marc Dearing, CRL at: 810.577.6659.

Study Group Is anyone interested in putting together a study group for the upcoming PRP sitting? is so, Contact: Marc Dearing, CRL at: 810.577.6659. -Marc A. Dearing, CRL— Education Director

EDUCATION & PRP NEWS—MARC DEARING, CRL

PAGE 5

LSA Website: www.LsaMichigan.org

ROGUE’S ROW— SEPTEMBER LSA MEETING

LSA REPORTER

Jayson Malusky from 4U Benefits will be presenting at the next LSA Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9th at 7:30 p.m. 4U Benefits pro-vides coverage for expenses that insurance policies don’t cover. 4U Benefits creates value added insured benefits that can be offered to your customer’s at an affordable cost. This will help with the out of pocket cost that occurs with the common accident. You can learn more about 4U Benefits at www.4ubenefits.com. At the meeting we will discuss key products and plan details that include auto and home

lockout reimbursement. This is an opportunity for you to generate new business, create customer loyalty and make some extra money. To learn more about 4U Benefits see Jayson at the LSA meeting or contact by phone / email. Jayson Malusky (616) 262-9160 Jayson@4ubenefits.com

PAGE 6 VOLUME 22, NO.2

LOOKING BACK INTO THE LOCKING PAST…RETRO #7 To follow is another page from the now defunct Locksmithing Institute of New Jersey Home Study Locksmithing Course, started by the late Leonard Singer (Master Keying Expert). The program went out of business in the early 1980s. This lesson excerpt on “Duplicating Cylinder Keys” (with a file) is circa 1973. Some illustrious graduates who are LSA members include: Ray Sinai, Theo Schultz, Dan Meggison, Nick Palise and William Lynk.

PAGE 7 VOLUME 22, NO.2

LET’S TALK BUSINESS Last month’s article related to the lack of business, and the slowdown of the Michigan economy. This month I’d like to write about the business that we still have. It hit me pretty hard when I took a look at my accounts receivable printout and saw how the payments from my customers have slowed down. The solid customers are still paying on time. By that, I mean the customers that have always paid timely are continuing to pay. The customers that were a little slow are now even slower. I ran into an old friend from grade school who is both a photographer and videographer. He tells me that before the wedding or “happy occasion” he now requires the fee in full.

After the “happy occasion,” they realize that they have overspent their budget and don’t pick up their photos or video. He’s been in business longer than I’ve been in Locksmithing, and he told me that this is his new company policy. It’s a sign of the times. Someone mentioned to me that maybe we could bring in a speaker on this subject – collections. At the time of this writing, I have located such a person. I’ll keep you informed. What can we do to protect ourselves before it gets out of hand? After all, our suppliers require payment in 30 days. If no payment is made, we get a service charge or interest on the balance. Good Luck collecting that from your locksmithing customers. I know that it has not worked for me! Here are a few ideas: First time customers (and for sure if it’s an emergency), terms are C.O.D. Larger accounts, larger projects, do what the big companies do, give them a quote, and GET A SIGNATURE. You can include your payment terms on the quote. We hope that we don’t end up in court, but a signed document will sure help your case. A subject that has already been discussed in this column, accept credit cards. Yes, there are fees, but you are giving your cus-tomers a payment option. When the charge is approved, it’s in your bank account rapidly, if not immediately. As I have stated before, all residential customers of mine are C.O.D., with only a few exceptions. For a really big job, contact a lending company. They can work with your customer on a payment plan and you get your money up front. That may be another speaker at L.S.A. The fun I have on a typical Saturday night, Oh Boy: I send out past due letters. You must keep up with it. Don’t be nasty, keep it professional. I made up a form letter and just fill in the blanks. You say that you’d rather make calls, do it! How about your customers e-mail address? I’ve sent what I call “love letters” by email, “Hey, this invoice is unpaid, please remit”. Unfortunately, if you are involved in commercial and industrial accounts, you must give credit. I forgot to mention credit applic-cations! Ask your customer to fill out a credit application. When it’s time to collect, you know just who to talk to, not some receptionist in the front lobby. Again, put payment terms on your credit application. In summary, keep on top of it. No response to letters and calls, time for a visit to this deadbeat. Find out your legal options.

Hopefully, it doesn’t go that far. GO GET EM”. -Ray Sinai

“Education, Knowledge & Cooperation—

RAY’S WAYS-BY RAY SINAI—HARD TIMES

CONTINUED from Page 3 Public Relations by John Hubel, CML ……..fit in the role as your “Subcontractor.” As business gets overwhelming for many of us at various times, there is no rea-son for us to tell the customer that we can not solve their security request. Often we receive requests to do related things that are a little out of our comfort zone. These are the times to call one of our own LSA niche fillers. There are several members of the LSA who clearly fit into this niche filler role. Come to the LSA meetings and get to know them. You will be pleasantly surprised. There are a variety of details that must be worked out before jumping into this role as niche filler or the locksmith utilizing the niche filler. But these details are easily worked out. The niche filler may be one more avenue to help your business prosper. There is always another reason to attend the LSA meetings!

533 Fisher Road, Grosse Pointe, MI 48230

Phone: (313) 885-9365 Email: amoebus@LsaMichigan.org

LOCKSMITH SECURITYASSOCIATION MICHIGAN

LSA

CLASSIFIED ADS—SEE LSAWEBSITE FOR UPDATES

Associate Members of LSA

JLM Wholesale, Inc.

3095 Mullins Ct. Oxford, MI 48371

www.jlmwholesale.com

(800) 522-2940 FAX: (800) 782-1160

Wholesale Hardware

Bockert & Associates 18 Fort Monroe Industrial Parkway

Monroeville, OH 44847

(800) 321-7550 FAX: (419) 465-4216

Manufacturer Reps for:

ABUS, ASSA, DON JO, H.E.S., HPC, LOCKCRAFT, CANSEC, SECURITRON,

MERIT, TAKEX

Gene Simon Hardware Specialist

Phone: (708) 799-8783 FAX: (708) 799-4322

P.O. Box 51 Flossmoor, IL 60422

Representing: Jet Hardware Mfg. Corp. LAB Security Products

Major Manufacturing, Inc.

RITTNER/FRENCH ASSOCIATES 150 S. Elizabeth

Rochester, MI 48307

(800) 732-4773 1-800-RFA-4-SPEC FAX: (248) 651-2650

IDN-Hardware Sales, Inc. 35950 Industrial Road

P.O. Box 510624 Livonia, MI 48150

Livonia: (800) 521-0955 FAX: (800) 272-4409

http://www.idnhardware.com

Warren: (800) 468-7490 FAX: (586) 755-5145

Your Key to Security Hardware

LAB THE CHOICE OF

*Professional Locksmiths *Finest Lock Companies

www.labpins.com

700 Emmett St. Bristol, CT 06010

(800) 243-8242 FAX: (860) 583-7838

Answer: B Qwik-Qwiz:

1010 Aviation Drive Lake Havasu, AZ 86404

800-537-5397

Bookmark the LSA Website.

www.LsaMichigan.org

9950 Freeland Avenue Detroit, MI 48227

Phone: (313) 931-7720 FAX: (313) 931-7758

Michael Wiener ————————————— Fine Quality Key Machines,

Key Blanks, Locks, Hardware

Safe Door Systems Inc.

631 Kingston Rd. Toronto ON M4E 1R3

www.safedoorsystems.com

Toll Free: 1-866-627-7560 Telephone: 416-691-6400

Framon Manufacturing

Company., Inc. 909 Washington Ave

Alpena, MI 49707 Phone: 989-354-5623

Fax: 989-354-4238 Web: www.framon.com

LynkWeb.com -An Affordable

Lynk to the World ———————————- ♦ Websites Under $12.00 ♦ Customer Support 24/7 ♦ 500 E-mail Accounts

♦ Free Software

www.LynkWeb.com

PAGE 8 VOLUME 22, NO.2

Download Membership Application Click above or from our site!

ICLS Interchangeable Core Lock Systems

———————————————

William M. Lynk, CRL IC Specialist / IC Author

♦ IC Products ♦ IC Tools ♦ Key Retainer Devices

♦ Dist. For Ultra Security / Xperinetix ———————————————

Phone: (313) 884-9800 E-mail: icls@ICLSglobal.com

Website: www.ICLSglobal.com

NEW LSA MEMBER - Sam Lopiccolo

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Sam Lopiccolo (586)-439-8005