MLA EXPO REVIEW
Souber Tools MLA Expo Launch
Souber Tools decided to use the MLA Expo as the launch reveal for a new Lock Opening Tool . They had originally hoped to launch the product at the 2019 Expo , but the date and R & D requirements proved far too optimistic .
» ANYWAY , FOR SOUBER TOOLS , 2021 Expo was the big reveal . The new tool was a special burr , which was designed to fit in a Dremel type machine , and the team thought that the best way to explain it to visitors was with live demonstrations and training on the stand .
The original roots of the idea were based on German locksmiths who were using Die Grinders . However , it was pretty evident to Paul Souber , Souber Tools ’ Managing Director that their method was not really an ideal tool for lock opening . More and more locks had protection and so Die Grinders were too heavy for precise work . The Die Grinders normally worked with 6mm Burrs and 6mm Collets ; factor in the hardened barrier pins in the cylinders and 6mm Burr Diameter and this was a real problem .
Souber Tools had done some trials and testing , more than eight years ago and decided to step away from Die Grinders . However , a couple of chance meetings with locksmiths in Germany and Sweden created an idea based on a Dremel Tool . However , those ideas quickly showed that regular 3mm Burrs available in the marketplace presented issues with snagging and snatching . The snagging and snatching would also cause breakages .
So , the question was : Why do those burrs snag , snatch or break ?
Paul Souber felt that the current burrs available did not suit the application . But , still why did they behave that way ? Furthermore , how could it be prevented ?
There seemed not one factor creating this problem but perhaps as many as three or four .
What was required was an Anti-Snag , Anti-Snatch design . What was to follow was , over a year of tests , trials , samples then more and more samples . Souber Tools , don ’ t want to give away their little secrets as to how they arrived at their final product , but the performance of the little Burr is quite stunning .
‘ by the end of the show , 130 locks had been opened by visiting locksmiths ’
Wind the clock forward 12 months and Souber Tools now had working products , but the factory who claimed they could make it were failing to meet the exact required product specifications . This was a quality issue and Souber Tools had a high-grade carbide and very specific tooth shape . Many factories had turned down the job , because it required a lot of grinding even before a working blank could be used .
Luckily , a factory was found and turned out a high-quality product . The new Burr performed well , had good longevity , and had all the qualities required .
Then , Souber Tools chose some locksmiths to do field trials and see how they performed in real-life opening conditions . Initially , they chose Mark Robinson of John Richard Security Products based on the Wirral and Niall Fitzpatrick of TLS Locks in Cheshire . Mark decided to use his own back door to try out a TS007 Protected handle and opening this proved successful as hoped .
Once those field trials were completed Souber Tools decided to start on testing a whole range of different brands with all sorts of deterrents . To do this , they chose three respected and experienced testing locksmiths : Terry Watts of Market Lock and MLA fame Shane Hales of Hales Locks and MLA Trainer Fernando Romero of London and Barcelona who had previously worked with Keyprint and the Wendt company .
Plain Burr Safe End Burr
32
NOV / DEC 2021
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