2025-12-01 – Weekly Locksmith News : Thumbturn: quiet detents or smooth?

Last week, our forum saw a variety of discussions that provided practical insights and shared experiences within the locksmithing field. Members delved into the complexities of dimple keys, debated the nuances of thumbturn mechanisms, and shared strategies for speeding up damage-free lockouts. There was a notable focus on modern technologies, with conversations about firmware updates and remote starter issues. The community also revisited some classic knowledge, such as understanding GM VATS resistor counts.


This Week’s Hot Topics

Why some dimple keys have offset dimples
This discussion explored the design reasons behind offset dimples on certain keys, and how they impact security and functionality. It’s a great read if you’re curious about key engineering.
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Firmware Friday struck on a Tuesday
A lively thread about an unexpected early firmware release that caught many off guard, prompting a discussion on best practices for updates.
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Training that bridges keys and readers
This topic covers new training programs designed to help locksmiths integrate traditional key systems with modern electronic readers, a must-read for those looking to expand their skills.
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Remember GM VATS resistor counts
A practical refresher on GM VATS systems, focusing on resistor counts and their importance in automotive locksmithing.
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Thumbturn feel: quiet detents or none
Members debated the pros and cons of thumbturn mechanisms, specifically whether quiet detents are preferable or if a smooth turn is better.
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Speeding up damage-free lockouts
This thread is packed with tips and techniques for anyone looking to improve their efficiency in damage-free lockouts, a valuable skill for any locksmith.
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Remote starters tripping immobilizers lately
A timely discussion on the issues with remote starters and immobilizers, highlighting common problems and solutions shared by fellow locksmiths.
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As always, it’s great to see such active participation and knowledge sharing. Keep up the collaboration, and let’s continue learning from each other.

On apartment jobs, I spec light detents so tenants get tactile confirmation without the clicky echo; a dab of silicone on the cam and a nylon washer under the thumbturn plate keeps it quiet but not mushy… For busy storefronts I go smoother to cut wear, but add a positive stop on the tailpiece so it can’t float half-locked. @GrantP, are you seeing more callbacks with “butter-smooth” turns from incomplete relocks, or is that just my market?

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