Bear Lock & Safe Service

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Bear Lock & Safe Service is a family owned and operated, Christ centered business that specializes in professional safe opening and servicing, and commercial locksmithing.

A very costly mistake.Someone wasn't sure how to change the batteries in their electronic safe lock and just started pul...
10/14/2026

A very costly mistake.

Someone wasn't sure how to change the batteries in their electronic safe lock and just started pulling things apart inside the door. But they didn't put it back together correctly, and then closed the door, firing the relocker, and causing a lockout.

The safe had to be drilled and repaired.

The batteries are actually behind the keypad.

Speaking of batteries...I got a call today. Safe not unlocking. Customer already changed the batteries. I went to the ...
08/20/2026

Speaking of batteries...

I got a call today. Safe not unlocking. Customer already changed the batteries. I went to the site and tested their "new" batteries. Both 9 volt batteries were only reading 7+ volts!

I put two brand new ones of mine in and everything worked fine.

I asked the customer where and when she got the batteries. She said they were "in a bag in the drawer". She then handed me a small bag with eight more batteries in it. All were brand new. Still had the plastic terminal protectors on them!

I tested each battery for her. Not a single one was reading 9 volts! Some were even completely dead! I don't know when they were purchased. But I'm sure it's been a while.

Always keep in mind... Just because they are "new", doesn't mean they're GOOD. :)

08/19/2026

Always. Always. ALWAYS change the batteries in your safe lock with the door OPEN.

I've seen and heard of this happening quite a few times. Lock is working fine, other than the battery being low. People change the battery, and all of a sudden the lock fails for no apparent reason, and ends up having to be drilled to get it open.

Have the door open, and try the lock a few times before closing the door. Then if this does happen, the door is already open. The lock will need to be replaced. But at least it won't have to be drilled.

08/07/2026

I replaced a lock on a home safe (basically a miniature gun safe) the other day for a very nice lady. When I quoted her a $100 trip charge, $75 labor, and $187.50 + tax for the lock over the phone, she told me another guy had come out to her house and quoted her $1,100!

She said she thought it sounded a little high. So she told him she'd let him know. (I guess he thought "since he was already there", she just go for it.)

She was amazed at what I quoted. (And, honestly, I'm not cheap.) :) When I was there doing the job, she told me what company the "other guy" was with. I wasn't surprised in the least.

You know, when you are good enough to have a great reputation, word gets around, and enough work will come your way that you don't have to screw people over. :)

06/26/2026

Someone posted in a Facebook group asking for recommendations for an "inexpensive safe". The following is my reply...

Do you want it for burglary protection? Fire protection? Both?

What do you want to keep in it? What is the value of what you want to keep in it?

Think about buying a vehicle. Do you want it to take the kids to soccer practice? Do you want it to start a home improvement business? Or do you want it to pick up chicks???

Three totally different vehicles! :)

Same with safes. Do you just want a safe to keep "important papers" in? Buy a Sentry. Do you want a safe to keep valuables in? You don't want an "inexpensive safe".

If the latter, how much are you going to keep in it? $500? $5,000? $50,000? They will all be protected from fire in a $200 Sentry. Just not a couple of big pry bars! ;)

Note: I don't sell safes anymore. (Got too old to deliver them.) But if you need advice, just ask. :)

Interesting job yesterday. The lock was actually MISSING the springs that hold it steady in the door. But the "stile" ...
06/16/2026

Interesting job yesterday.

The lock was actually MISSING the springs that hold it steady in the door. But the "stile" (the vertical part of a door) was much wider than a normal aluminum storefront door.

When I replaced the lock, I ended up using TWO springs on each mounting screw. But getting the screws into their respective holes 4 inches away (that I could not see) was a challenge. So I pulled out my video scope that I use for safe work and got them in no time!

The tape is just to hold the two springs together for installation. And the dental floss was just in case I dropped one into the door. :)

Other than the "finish" (Adams Rite doesn't make green faceplates) :) it turned out great. It's no longer flopping around in the door, and no longer binding up. And at least the finish matched the paddle handle on the inside.

Fortunately it's not TOO often. But I get one like this every now and then. I had to deal with this today. It's a rest...
06/02/2026

Fortunately it's not TOO often. But I get one like this every now and then.

I had to deal with this today. It's a restroom lock. (It's not all glitz and glamor. One day I may be working in a bank vault. The next day I'm working in a bathroom.)

And it's usually at the same type of business where I find this. The lever was corroded onto the lock so bad, I had to beat the snot out of it to get it apart!

My theory is that whatever they are using as a disinfectant is causing it. Don't get me wrong. Truth be told, I'm a huge germaphobe. I love that fact they they are so thorough at cleaning their restrooms. But man, that's some overkill right there! :)

My suggestion is that rather than spray the disinfectant directly on the lockset, spray it liberally on a rag and wipe it down thoroughly. (Which, BTW, is the FIRST thing I for before I start working on it!) ;)

Today I replaced two safe dials because the customer was having a problem seeing the marks on the chrome dials under the...
05/11/2026

Today I replaced two safe dials because the customer was having a problem seeing the marks on the chrome dials under the florescent lights. (A very common problem with those dials.)

If you're having the same problem, we can solve it for you, too! 🙂

Look how much easier the black & white dials and dial rings are to read, rather than the chrome ones.

This can be done on most modern safes!

These old ones are fun. Not real complicated. But fun. 🙂This was in one of the OLD John Hopkins Hospital School of Me...
02/16/2026

These old ones are fun. Not real complicated. But fun. 🙂

This was in one of the OLD John Hopkins Hospital School of Medicine buildings, built in 1926.

Address

Baltimore, MD
21222

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 1pm - 8am

Telephone

+14102850101

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