Door Handles / Locks That Don't ****

[BrandonV]

Is it just me or Kwikset and Schlage have run to the bottom of the barrel?

Just picked up a Schlage entry set and besides the fact that the handle itself isn't square (slightly bent) the deadbolt scratched within 10 minutes of using from the thumb turn having a burr.

Pretty frustrating as I've already returned other entry sets for other reasons.

Is there anything sans commercial hardware that is half decent? Even the Emtek & Baldwin brands look like junk.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Is there anything sans commercial hardware that is half decent? Even the Emtek & Baldwin brands look like junk.

Nothing but Baldwin in our home, quality is still top notch. Not sure if this makes a difference but we purchased all of our locksets from a specialty door/window/lock place, not a big box store. Got a decent discount for buying in quantity, and I'm able to get additional hardware or parts from a supplier online.

 

[egdede]

I love my Arrow SFIC set up. 1 master key for all doors and padlocks. I have them set up 'motel' style so I can give someone a key that opens only 1 lock. I love it. Arrow sFIC is fairly bump resistant.

 

[carlaisle]

I can't speak to current construction, but can speak to historical quality as a result of recently servicing several older entry handlesets. The mechanism inside the Baldwin wore out and broke after being used an average of perhaps 3 times per week over about 30 years. Repairing it was far more expensive and difficult than necessary. Although Baldwin did have the parts in stock, the only reason it didn't get thrown in the trash is that they use a proprietary spacing on the handleset that would have left the door scarred for life. After the experience of repairing it I wouldn't install one in my own door if it was given to me.

A Weiser at least a decade older than the Baldwin and used 3+ times per day (so at least 7X the use for at least a third longer period of time) started to stick. It needed the dust blown out of it and a couple dabs of grease added, after which it worked as good as new and will presumably continue to do so for the next 40 years.

 

[bassJAM]

I've been starting to question those two brands myself. I've replaced the deadbolt in my garage 3 times in the last 8 years going from one to the other and back to the first. They're electronic, and they just don't last but I hate carrying keys with me.

Then during the cold spell where it got to maybe -5F on a couple nights the little deadlatch on our Schlage on the front door broke, and that lock was only a couple years old as well.

 

[paredown]

Emtek is decent--somewhat like Baldwin mortise locks in the higher end and decent quality. I love Baldwin, but they are pricey!

For my passage doors for this house (and the previous one) I got to use a set of German handles that were part of someone's warehouse sale. Cast handles, solid shafts, set screw attachments, good chrome etc. The guy selling them called them "millionaire's locks" in the eBay ad. They were better quality than either current Emtek or Baldwin...

But no one wants to pay for quality hardware anymore, so you get Schlage, Kwikset or their even worse Chinese cousins. (Europe still seems to have a market for quality hardware though.)

 

[BrandonV]

Thanks. Going to probably just opt for commercial hardware for the rest of the house.

The deadbolt thing kills me. I installed a second deadbolt on the door and the thumbturn has enough play like the first one to make contact with the base. Grr... B60 seems like its going downhill. The factory cylinder had way too much torque too binding up the key as well.

As for the entry handle I was right. It was tweaked out the package. I bought a replacement at Home Depot and it seems straight.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Spend a little more and buy ANSI grade 1 commercial hardware. Sure it’s more money, but it lasts darn near forever. The consumer / big box stuff is all **** nowadays.

 

[Metallitubby]

Emtek is decent--somewhat like Baldwin mortise locks in the higher end and decent quality.

I like our Emtek stuff so far. I do have a lock that binds quite a bit, and doesn't change w/ lubricant or adjustment.

 

[Beerhippie]

We used home-grade door hardware at the brewery and pub for years. I replaced every lockset every year for years. I finally wised up and got commercial-grade stuff. $$$, but I better not be replacing them for a while.

BTW, these guys are great to do business with: www.trudoor.com They helped me out with a $800 keyless lockset that failed out of the box when the company that made it (Dormakaba) gave me the run-around on returning it.

 

[BrandonV]

BTW, these guys are great to do business with: www.trudoor.com They helped me out with a $800 keyless lockset that failed out of the box when the company that made it (Dormakaba) gave me the run-around on returning it.

I just found out they're right next to my work!

 

[The Cobbler]

A Weiser at least a decade older than the Baldwin

you will Not get that with the new weiser since it was taken over by ( I forget)
the product was immediately cheapened quality wise & prices increased . go figure

 

[carlaisle]

you will Not get that with the new weiser since it was taken over by ( I forget)
the product was immediately cheapened quality wise & prices increased . go figure

Appreciate the heads up. That is sad and completely unsurprising. Now I'm back to thinking about the MOQ to get a production run made to my specs.

 

[toolmiser]

Is it just me or Kwikset and Schlage have run to the bottom of the barrel?

Just picked up a Schlage entry set and besides the fact that the handle itself isn't square (slightly bent) the deadbolt scratched within 10 minutes of using from the thumb turn having a burr.

Pretty frustrating as I've already returned other entry sets for other reasons.

Is there anything sans commercial hardware that is half decent? Even the Emtek & Baldwin brands look like junk.

Is there a higher grade line from these companies that you could get from a locksmith?

 

[Rusted Nut]

Is it just me or Kwikset and Schlage have run to the bottom of the barrel?

Just picked up a Schlage entry set and besides the fact that the handle itself isn't square (slightly bent) the deadbolt scratched within 10 minutes of using from the thumb turn having a burr.

Pretty frustrating as I've already returned other entry sets for other reasons.

Is there anything sans commercial hardware that is half decent? Even the Emtek & Baldwin brands look like junk.

Yes, residential grade stuff is garbage these days. Schlage commercial is good but spendy.

 

[GrayFlattop]

Is there a higher grade line from these companies that you could get from a locksmith?

Schlage (as well as others) has a commercial line. Commercial hardware distributors generally get a pretty good mark-up, but offer other services. I’ve purchased many commercial locksets and deadbolts from eBay, but it may not be the best source if you need professional guidance. Do a little research and learn about it - or just pay someone for their expertise.

After decades of dealing with many buildings for work, I’ve accumulated some locksmithing tools and pin kits - just enough to meet my Work and personal needs.

 

[Pate]

Emtek is decent quality at a reasonable price. Decent grade 1 hardware that we sell from Schlage, Sargent, Corbin, Yale, etc are way too overpriced for a house. If you want a decent lock (commercial looking) grade 2 check out the S Parker SL7160 locks. We sell them around $60 and they last forever. It’s similar to the Schlage AL locks, but 1/3rd the price.

 

[My Old Tools]

Baldwin

 

[Jeff C]

I’ve had decent luck with Emtek depending on what finish you use. The black is painted on and fades real bad in the sun. I like the feel of the solid brass handles and knobs.

I haven’t seen any in a while but Rocky Mountain had some really nice locks but charged accordingly.

 

[Peter 212]

Hardware store brands have definitely gone downhill in terms of durability.

 

[CarBikeGuy70]

Had Baldwin in last house - lasted 20 years. Finish was great, everything else was cheap ( Kwikset internals if i remember correctly). Lever handle broke and was replaced under lifetime warranty. Units were never smooth as was expected for the price- not a big fan of the brand as they are living on the reputation they had 30 years ago.

 

[Beerhippie]

Update: We settled on these:
Accentra (formerly Yale) AU-NTB613-NR - nexTouch Stand Alone Pushbutton
Keypad Cylindrical Lock, Grade-1, Para Keyway - 626 (Satin Chrome)

I've now installed five of them and they're working just fine. The only problem I've had is the lockset on the beer cooler door, which eats AA batts like candy as the battery compartment is inside the cooler. However, the battery compartment is easier to access than any other electric lockset I've used--one 3mm Allen screw to change the batteries as opposed to having to take the lockset apart.

Being able to set multiple lock codes is handy. I set one for managers and another for employees on the kitchen/pub locksets. Employees tend to come and go and I can change that code without the managers having to memorize a new one.

Of course, only time will tell how long they last.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

The stuff from Home Depot or Lowe's is garbage. We replaced our front door last year and I went to a local lock shop who deals with nothing but door and lock hardware. We got Emtek and can't be happier. The personal service was top notch and the product is great. The price was much less than I thought and only a fraction more than HD or Lowe's.

 

[strength_and_power]

Spend a little more and buy ANSI grade 1 commercial hardware. Sure it’s more money, but it lasts darn near forever. The consumer / big box stuff is all **** nowadays.

Most residential hardware is 2-3/8” backset
Commercial is 2-3/4”. You can get 2-3/8” backset in commercial but it typically wont be readily available. You may have to buy a complete lockset and then a separate latch or deadbolt.
If you are doing a fresh install on an unprepped door, it doesn’t matter.

Mortise locks, usually only seen in commercial settings are a whole different animal, their measurements are all over the place, even within the same brand.

Commercial locksets will definitely last longer but won’t be as pretty or ornate as they have to comply with ADA and fire requirements

 

[Beerhippie]

Most residential hardware is 2-3/8” backset
Commercial is 2-3/4”. You can get 2-3/8” backset in commercial but it typically wont be readily available. You may have to buy a complete lockset and then a separate latch or deadbolt.
If you are doing a fresh install on an unprepped door, it doesn’t matter.

Mortise locks, usually only seen in commercial settings are a whole different animal, their measurements are all over the place, even within the same brand.

Commercial locksets will definitely last longer but won’t be as pretty or ornate as they have to comply with ADA and fire requirements

True, this. The Assa-Attaboy locksets come with 2 3/4" backsets. You have to order the 2 3/8" for an extra $50. We have a mix here, with the doors with windows having the 2 3/8" backset and the blind doors 2 3/4".

 

[GrayFlattop]

Most residential hardware is 2-3/8” backset
Commercial is 2-3/4”. You can get 2-3/8” backset in commercial but it typically wont be readily available. You may have to buy a complete lockset and then a separate latch or deadbolt.
If you are doing a fresh install on an unprepped door, it doesn’t matter.

Mortise locks, usually only seen in commercial settings are a whole different animal, their measurements are all over the place, even within the same brand.

Commercial locksets will definitely last longer but won’t be as pretty or ornate as they have to comply with ADA and fire requirements

FWIW, I’ve never had an issue buying a lock set with either backset. That said, my lock infrastructure is all Schlage and our local distributor is well stocked. Maybe I’m spoiled.

FWIW I have dozens of latches and lock sets on the shelf. Plug and play, mix and match.