Re Key locks without the key?

[Nosferatu]

I have 2 interior keyed doors that didn't come with a key when the property was purchased. They are and always have been left unlocked. Can I use a re key kit to change the locks?

Instructions in the kits I've seen have said you need the key, but I'm wondering if that's simply so you can make sure it's unlocked when you begin the process.

 

[justanengineer]

I have 2 interior keyed doors that didn't come with a key when the property was purchased. They are and always have been left unlocked. Can I use a re key kit to change the locks?

Instructions in the kits I've seen have said you need the key, but I'm wondering if that's simply so you can make sure it's unlocked when you begin the process.

Most of the locks I have come across require a key (or lock pick or drill) to remove the cylinder from the knob, even if unlocked. Usually locksmiths charge me ~$10 to rekey a pair of door locks alike with two keys....I'm a cheap SOB and have bought quite a few "display" knob sets without keys.

 

[rlitman]

What I've done in these cases, is bring it to a locksmith.
Drop it off, and let him pick it open on the bench, on a slow day.

 

[Nosferatu]

do you know the lock brand?

Defiant

What I've done in these cases, is bring it to a locksmith.
Drop it off, and let him pick it open on the bench, on a slow day.

I called a locksmith, he wanted $20/each to rekey them. It would be quicker, cheaper and easier to just replace the whole thing.

 

[where2]

Disassemble the handle, pull out the lock cylinder with the part around it that holds the pins, drive/pry off the crimped on part that holds the pin springs, dump out the springs, followers and pins, then the cylinder will fall out. Crimp the spring retainer back on, and carefully reassemble it one spring and follower at a time after you sort the pins to work with your key.

Cheaper to replace than pay a local tradesman, yes. Cheaper to replace tha disassemble and rekey yourself? Not likely.

 

[bobemmerich]

If you're going to replace them, then yes, it is cheaper. But IMHO 20 bucks isn't a lot for the amount of work that goes into a re-key. Those guys KNOW what they're doing and besides, it will keep $$ in the town to a local businessman.

 

[fred d]

Not sure about your state. But I work at lowes and we USE to rekeying door locks for $5.
State of Texas changed the law and now you must be a licensed lock smith to rekey locks from a customer. We can rekey locks prior to selling them to make all the locks match, but nothing from outside

Check with your local lowes

 

[HOTFR8]

Some locks may have a number on them. All you need is the number and you can get a key to suit. If it is the old mortice style lock that would be easy to get a key for. Some of the newer locks I am not sure about but the best suggestion would be to ask a locksmith as others have suggested.

 

[KPSquared]

I called a locksmith, he wanted $20/each to rekey them. It would be quicker, cheaper and easier to just replace the whole thing.

Think you just answered your own question. . . "quicker, cheaper, easier". . . what's your time worth ******* around with locks?

 

[rockchucker]

I would buy new Locksets. Get the same brand as you already have and have the new Locksets keyed to your Key. This way all of them are the same and you only need one key. Unless of course you want different keys.

I even went as far as to bag all of the keys and use Keypad Locksets and Deadbolts. Well worth the money not having to EVER use a key again.

I use these...

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/schlag...pad-lever-fe595-cam-619-acc.html#.UNKaHXewV8E

And...


http://www.homedepot.com/Doors-Wind...oreId=10051&superSkuId=202948715#.UNKaiHewV8E

 

[Pate]

You can't rekey them without shimming or picking them open and you don't have the equipment for that. Your only other option into pry the cap off the pin chamber and hope you can stake it back on. Defiant locks are pretty crappy and you'd be better to buy some new locks. Defiant locks make Kwikset look like high end security.

 

[Nosferatu]

Think you just answered your own question. . . "quicker, cheaper, easier". . . what's your time worth ******* around with locks?

Mostly just pure curiosity. I've never rekeyed a lock. Being a mechanical engineering student, I wanted to find an excuse to take them apart and make the current ones work.

However, I'm also not into ******* around with things that are cheap pieces of **** to begin with. I think I'll wait until after Christmas and replace them with good locks.

I would buy new Locksets. Get the same brand as you already have and have the new Locksets keyed to your Key. This way all of them are the same and you only need one key. Unless of course you want different keys.

I even went as far as to bag all of the keys and use Keypad Locksets and Deadbolts. Well worth the money not having to EVER use a key again.

I use these...

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/schlag...pad-lever-fe595-cam-619-acc.html#.UNKaHXewV8E

And...


http://www.homedepot.com/Doors-Wind...oreId=10051&superSkuId=202948715#.UNKaiHewV8E

Yeah, no problem! You can swing by and give me the cash!

I've actually been eyeballing these: http://www.homedepot.com/Schlage/h_...-1&keyword=schlage&storeId=10051#.UNLblqxZI8U

but cash is at a minimum right now.

 

[MoToys]

Defiant



I called a locksmith, he wanted $20/each to rekey them. It would be quicker, cheaper and easier to just replace the whole thing.

Well you are in luck because defiant (home depot brand) is one of the low end lock lines that you can actually pop the knob off without the key. You will still need to shim or pick the cylinder to rekey them.
If you buy something new, don't get defiant.

 

[KPSquared]

Mostly just pure curiosity. I've never rekeyed a lock. Being a mechanical engineering student, I wanted to find an excuse to take them apart and make the current ones work

If it's just curiosity. . . I just watched my 12 year old cousin "break-in" to her own house by picking the lock on the front door. YouTube. . . She watched a couple videos and voila. . .shes a criminal.

Just pick and rekey them yourself. Try YouTube. . .

 

[pfarber]

I have to pick my garage door every so often... when I lock my car in it, and leave the keys on the shelf.

Picking the lock is at best, a 5 minute deal. There are youtube videos galore. Paperclips work best.

Most key locks are 'security theater'.. then will stop a very casual thief... but if they want in a consumer (and most professional) locks are no barrier.

 

[jeffmoss26]

As the others have said, Defiant is pretty low end.
I could get that lock rekeyed in a few minutes by picking or shimming...
Without a pin kit and new keys to rekey the lock to, what's the point?

 

[SGKent]

If you're going to replace them, then yes, it is cheaper. But IMHO 20 bucks isn't a lot for the amount of work that goes into a re-key. Those guys KNOW what they're doing and besides, it will keep $$ in the town to a local businessman.

No wonder foreign nationals own this country and we are going to hell in a handbasket. It's cheaper to let some American go out of business than pay him $40 for a couple hours of work.

 

[Percenter]

Change the locks. The labor involved to re-key your existing Defiant locks is equivalent/or more than the price of new set of comparable quality($20-24). Id say Time to replace. If you want to tinker with it, you will need to shim or pick the cylinders to disassemble them. (I'm a locksmith)

 

[pmiranda]

When we moved we paid a local locksmith $50 to rekey every door on the house, including two we replaced because they were different brands or the finish was worn. He pulled them all and then knocked them out in a few minutes each.