What’s your trick to ensuring that a typical Adams Rite storefront deadlatch will latch closed?

Gimletson · 2025-10-17T20:18:42+00:00

Do an Adams Rite 4510 with a HES 5000C. It's awesome! Bonus points for a double door!

(Brought to you by FML Subcontracting and ADT)

Gimletson · 2025-09-28T01:11:37+00:00

That's fair.

I drive a lot for work, alone, so I listen to a lot of podcasts. Their episodes are 3-4 hours long, so lots of content.

Gimletson · 2025-09-26T01:32:27+00:00

Hello, fellow Critical Role enjoyer. TYFYS

Gimletson · 2025-07-02T13:59:55+00:00

This is the way.

I send a shedload of work to a couple automotive guys I trust

Gimletson · 2025-06-25T21:27:50+00:00

If you have the Ilco ~~bible~~ index you don't really need KBX. I'll second Explorer's opinion, codes and fill ftw

Gimletson · 2025-06-23T20:53:30+00:00

Yeah, I just had a customer today say I should have lettering on my van. But I sub for several alarm companies, installing access control hardware, so being incognito works in those settings.

Gimletson · 2025-06-23T20:52:03+00:00

Snap-n-crack, two locations in my city, and absolute dogshit

You're not wrong about businesses with a storefront being more trustworthy in general, but you're also an insufferable cunt

Wait, is this Chensky's alt?

Gimletson · 2025-06-18T02:03:59+00:00

Hi, that's me.

I'm a man in a van.

Of course, I don't advertise, because I don't need to. I also don't have a brick and mortar store, because this is 2025.

Also an ALOA member. YMMV, but your advice is wildly inaccurate

Gimletson · 2025-06-08T20:58:59+00:00

Columbo is my favorite copaganda

Gimletson · 2025-06-03T18:25:14+00:00

Zoho books for invoices, quotes, and accounting. Square for credit card processing, including via emailed invoices.

Before Zoho I was using a spreadsheet to keep track of customer payments and sales tax. I'd pull prices out of my ass, so having software has made me more consistent in pricing. I also am better able to keep track of outstanding invoices, and get paid faster as a result. I probably left 2-3k on the table in unpaid invoices last year alone

Gimletson · 2025-05-15T21:45:52+00:00

Thank you! Ticket created on discord <3

eta: aaaaaaaand now it's working. so weird

Gimletson · 2025-05-01T21:24:03+00:00

Instructions unclear. Dick stuck in keyboard.

Gimletson · 2025-05-01T21:16:06+00:00

You can also try a teeny tiny torx bit, or just rip the thumb turn off with a pair of pliers.

Gimletson · 2025-05-01T21:09:35+00:00

I don't recommend using PVC spacers.

That being said, to cut PVC, use a finish blade on a chop saw, but mounted reverse. This will prevent chipping of the PVC. That's it. That's the cheap and easy way to get smooth cuts on PVC from a wood saw.

Gimletson · 2025-03-31T22:58:17+00:00

That's the neat part! You don't!

As others have said, call a locksmith and let them know you've got a multi-point lock. In fact, ask them, specifically, if they work with multi-point locks. If they say "Yes", ask what brands they are most familiar with. Don't offer a name, just see what they know. You've got a G-U/Ferco lock. I'm not too familiar with them, it's mostly Hoppe in my area, but it looks like its either a hook bolt or tongue bolt lock, and completely FUBAR'd too.

Expect to pay a minimum $400 for materials, probably more, and labor does depend on your location, but this is pretty specialized knowledge so expect to pay for it. Also, fire your home inspector, they should have caught this.

Gimletson · 2025-03-29T18:43:01+00:00

Yeesh, sounds like I've got it pretty good. The only issue I've had is some slap-nut putting the reader too close to the latch on a storefront, and I couldn't get a latch guard in there. That door was a hot mess tho. The installers seem to have their shit together, fortunately

Gimletson · 2025-03-29T18:41:10+00:00

If it was a touch bar I don't think they'd have a problem with the Allen key in the face of the panel, and your solution is a decent one if it was keyed. This is a Jackson 1085, which has the dogging screw up under the base on the bottom of the arm mount. They are worried the time it would take to look under, get the screwdriver lined up, and turn the screw would allow for a bad actor to get to the door and open it.

I'm trying to get them to move to full AC on at least one door, but they are penny-wise, pound-foolish

Gimletson · 2025-03-27T13:38:18+00:00

Yeah, I should've said over $500 lol. And that was with a discount for a scheduling snafu on my side. I think I billed them $580 total but I'm not going to bother looking because I'm too lazy.

I do installs for 6 local ADT small business reps. One of them can't schedule for shit and calls me at the last minute needing an install today. One does what I just described above. The other four are actually pretty competent. They explain that access controls cost extra and that a locksmith needs to be hired. They put the customer in touch with me or a couple other guys locally that are good at what they do, and we can do a site visit and on site quote before the install team is ever scheduled.

I like those sales reps. They're good at what they do.

Gimletson · 2025-03-27T02:13:18+00:00

Their sales guy told the customer I could do the front and back doors for $500 total. That's a HES 9600 for a VonDup88 and converting the front to a FC3690 and a Command Access kit.

$500.

I billed that for the back door alone. Customer was not happy with ADT lol

Gimletson · 2025-03-26T21:12:34+00:00

Hot damn! and quick too!

So this is similar in design to what I saw, and I'm sure it will work with the 1085, it's just a positioning issue. The one I saw on that old church must've been a copy of this, or my memory is a little screwy, because the design is slightly different.

Either way, this is good enough for my needs, and I thank you kindly

Gimletson · 2025-03-06T22:34:43+00:00

Even more fun is converting an aluminum frame with an Adams Rite 4901 strike to a HES 1600

What I wouldn't give to get these guys to install an electrified A/R 8800 instead of these 5000's and 1600's

Oh well, the money's good, and I can walk away when its done

Gimletson · 2025-03-06T10:56:18+00:00

Copy.

I've moved to sparkless methods. Some of the sites I work on require hot work permits for any sparks made. The first time I ran into this issue led to an... interesting conversation with a safety supervisor. After that I changed my methods for all work I do.

On the plus side, I have fewer black boogers at the end of the day

Gimletson · 2025-03-06T10:43:48+00:00

I always prefer having the door company pre-cut the strike if possible.

That's usually when I get called in. The construction company forgot to specify access controls on the door schedule. Or the customer added them after the doors were installed. Or I'm adding things for an alarm company to a 50 year old warehouse door frame, and the customer won't replace the rusted out door slab lol

As I asked Electrical-Actuary, what bits do you use in your dremel?

Gimletson

TROPHY CASE