September 14th, 2009
There are 3 models of the Lokk Latch line of lockable gravity latches. Actually there are 4 if you consider the Lokk Latch Round a separate model (it is really a part of the Residential Series 2 line). The 3 models are the Residential Lokk Latch Series 2, Heavy Duty Lokk Latch Deluxe and the Commercial Lokk Latch Pro Self Locking. With all of these models, which one is the best for my gate? To answer that question lets first examine each latch individually.
Residential Lokk Latch Series 2
The Lokk Latch Series 2 is meant for light weight residential gates. The latch is available with or without an external access kit (EAK or we call it “the button”). This is an excellent latch that has a certain feature set which lends itself best to specific situations since the EAK and the main latch body lock independently. This allows a gate that swings INTO the yard to have what we call “free exit”. In other words the EAK is locked so someone on the outside of the fence can not open the gate but someone on the inside can open the gate without a key. The downside is that if the main part of the latch is locked (the part on the inside) you can NOT unlock it from the EAK .
Heavy Duty Lokk Latch Deluxe
The Lokk Latch Deluxe is a heavy duty latch meant for meduim weight residential and industrial gates. The Deluxe comes with the EAK and can be locked or unlocked from either side of the fence (much like a house door). Not only is this latch heavy duty, it’s 6 pin keyway can be re-keyed to match 90 percent of the house door knobs on the market.
Commercial Lokk Latch Pro Self-Locking
The Commercial Lokk Latch Pro Self-Locking is a heavy duty gravity latch that has a very special feature. Like the Deluxe it comes with the EAK, but unlike the Deluxe it locks every time the gate latches. In other words, you have to use the key to open this latch everytime. This works well for storage areas that you need to be sure remain locked.
Residential Lokk Latch for Round Posts
Like I mentioned above this latch operates like the Residential Lokk Latch Series 2. The only difference is it can be attached to round posts ( chain link ) .
Tags: commercial, Commercial Lokk Latch Pro Self-Locking, eak, external access kit, free exit, gravity latches, Heavy Duty Lokk Latch Deluxe, industrial, lokk-latch, residential, Residential Lokk Latch for Round Posts, Residential Lokk Latch Series 2
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July 27th, 2009
On July 27, 2009 The Today Show’s Natalie Morales featured a segment on child safety by Genevieve Thiers from SitterCity.com . This segment included an appearance by a Magna Latch Top Pull from FenceMax.com. For more information on pool safety and how to purchase the Magna Latch ( and the Tru Close Hinges on the gate) please follow these links:
Pool Gate Safety Video
Blueprint for Pool Gate Safety
MagnaLatch Magnetic Pool Safety Gate Latch
Tru Close Self-Closing Hinge
The Magna Latch and Tru Close hinges are manufactured by D&D Technologies .
Tags: child safety, D&D Technologies, FenceMax.com, Genevieve Thiers, MagnaLatch, Natalie Morales, pool safety, SitterCity.com, The Today Show, tru close hinge
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June 29th, 2009
Tags: aluminum, fence, flat surface, gate on a column, Latch-Attach, magna latch, Multi-Fit Hinges, pillar, powder coated finish, wall, wall mount
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May 20th, 2009
An unforeseen problem has arisen out of the housing crisis, abandoned pools. These abandoned pools are becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes, especially in states with warmer climates year round like Nevada, Arizona and California. These mosquitoes can sometimes carry harmful diseases like the West Nile Virus. Already some mosquitoes in Fresno, CA have tested positive for the disease. Health departments nationwide are scrambling to deal with the problem. Government agencies are doing fly overs in helicopters to try and identify problem pools sometimes referred to as “Green Pools”. One possible way to deal with the problem is to introduce mosquitofish to the water, but this can be costly, adding to the already strained budgets of local governments.
Some good articles on “Green Pools”:
Foreclosed homes bringing disease to area neighbourhoods
Foreclosure Fallout Spawns Green Pools
Foreclosure pools a mosquito threat
Tags: Arizona, California, housing crisis, mosquito, mosquitofish, Nevada, west nile virus
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April 27th, 2009
I get asked from time to time, “Should I buy an invisible fence?” My answer is that you need to know what you are getting into before moving forward. The biggest argument for an invisible fence (aka underground fence) is they do not like the looks of a “physical” fence. If you are one of these people, do not let this cloud your judgement and please read on.
An invisible fence is a wire that is buried in the ground around the area you want to keep you dog in or out. Then your dog wears a collar that emits a sound when you dog approaches the wire and then shocks him/her if they get too close. I am not saying this shock has any permanent effects but it is meant to be strong enough to deter the dog from trying again.
Here are some problems:
- What if your dog is chasing a rabbit or cat and runs across the wire. They may get shocked for a moment but now they are trapped outside of the desired area.
- The batteries in the collars have to be changed or recharged periodically. What happens if the batteries go dead while you are at work? Now the dog is wandering the neighborhood.
- All of the little children in your neighborhood are not wearing collars to keep them out of your yard. If your dog is aggressive this could set you up for a lawsuit. I know, some people out there are saying, “Well then people should be watching their children more closely!!” You are right, they should, but accidents happen all the time. Just imagine how silly you will sound on Judge Judy with this argument.
- Not only are the children not wearing collars but neither are the other dogs. Your dog is now trapped in the yard just waiting to become a snack for some large dog running free.
- This is usually where someone tells me, “Well we live out in the country and our closest neighbor is a couple of miles away.” Do a quick search in your favorite search engine for “rabid animals”. You may never see a raccoon in your area, but that only makes sense because they are primarily nocturnal animals. I am not guaranteeing that a physical fence will keep a rabid raccoon out of your yard but it is better than nothing.
I can’t tell you how many times I have been installing a fence in someone’s yard only to be drilling up the wire from their previous “invisible fence”. All they have done is waste their money and open themselves up to heartache and lawsuits. Do invisible fences have their uses? Yes, I can see using them around gardens and flower beds to keep pets out of these areas, but not as the main pet containment.
Related Links:
Owner and Dog Undone Over a Fence Unseen
Tags: aggressive dog, battery collar, invisible fence, judge judy, physical fence, rabid, raccoon, racoon, shock collar, underground fence
Posted in Miscellaneous | 1 Comment »
