HINTS & TIPS
You will usually find the lock opens before you reach the exact code . If this happens and it is only a lock out situation then fine . But if you want to be able to re lock the door you must determine the exact code as you cannot pick the lock back into the locked position . As you feel the lock open re lock it and fine tune your code until you have the exact code .
Decoding the Union Strongbolt and Yale PM range
As far as the decoding and opening procedure is concerned the Strongbolt and Yale PM are exactly the same . These locks have a possible eight lever heights and the tolerances are much tighter than the Fortress so the feedback is slightly different . It is very important to follow the four methods described above .
• When taking a plastercine reading of these locks a number eight leaves a long mark and a number seven leaves a short mark .
• Use your experience to determine how to load the tool .
• For example if a lever eight is present , I would load up all other positions with seven pins because there may be a seven in the pack being masked by the number eight lever .
• If - on the other hand - there is a seven in the lock , I would load the rest with six pins , just to be sure I don ’ t miss something .
• Remember an eight height is no pin , the empty tool is already at the height of a number eight lever .
As the tolerances in the Strongbolt and Yale are much tighter than the Fortress you will usually only get an open when you reach the exact code or are one pin under . So these locks usually take longer to open that a Fortress . If you are new to this tool always start by practicing and refining your technique on the Fortress before you move on to the Strongbolt Yales .
The tool and many more are available from www . gjlocks . co . uk
If you want to watch a video by Fortress Locksmith Training going through the process of opening a Union Strongbolt please scan the QR code with your phone .
MARCH 2024
29
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal . co . uk