Article about Link's business in the Malvern Daily Record, Wednesday, March 18, 1992.



"Lamkins takes to the streets in mobile locksmith shop"
By BOB ALLEN, Staff Writer

"There is not a car in the world that I can't get into," says Link Lamkins.

Fortunately for you, Lamkins is not a car thief, but a certified locksmith. 
Also fortunately for you, especially if you ever lock your keys in your car, 
Lamkins recently opened up a locksmith shop on wheels, called, appropriately, Wheeling Lockworks. 

A native of Malvern, Lamkins spent the last four years in California,
 working as an expert in foreign and domestic automobile locks for the largest locksmith shop in Sacramento. 
Last month, he moved back home to he closer to his family.

In his van, Lamkins said, he has every piece of equipment you might find in any locksmith shop, 
and perhaps a few more, since Lamkins specializes in automotive locks. 
"A lot of locksmiths don't do automobiles any more," Lamkins said, "because there is so much technology involved."

For instance, Lamkins explained, as of 1992, General Motors will begin putting the VATS Pellet Key System into all its cars. 
The system, which has been in use since 1986 in the Corvette, 
centers around a "resistor pellet" imbedded in the key. 
Even if you have a key the proper shape, it must have the correct "resistor pellet," Lamkins said, or it will not open the lock. 
To determine what kind of pellet a replacement key must have, you need a particular piece of equipment, which not every locksmith has.

And GM is not the only car company equipping its cars with high-tech locks. 
Almost every car manufacturer, foreign and domestic, is going to new, high security locks and anti-theft devices, he said.

Lamkins can not only get you into your car, home or business without damaging your locks, 
but he can also re-key, repair and replace locks and keys of all kinds. 
He installs "panic hardware," designed to allow quick exit from a building in case of tire, 
and handicapped access equipment to comply with the new Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. 
He is also qualified to design masterkey, key control and security systems. 
He is state certified, licensed and bonded for $2 million. 
What's more, he offers free estimates on any job, large or small.

Perhaps the best service Wheeling Lockworks offers is quick response.
 Through his 24-hour pager, you can reach Lamkins anywhere, anytime, and he guarantees to get back to you within five minutes. 
If you can't reach him at 332-3737, Lamkins' pager number is 1-671-9882. 
That's a long distance number, he explained, because it goes through Little Rock, 
but he does have a toll-free pager number, 1-800-632-4465, for those who don't mind punching a few more numbers.