DIY lock cylinder changes?

[Zeb Kagloonpop]

Hi, we just bought a new house and would like to change the cylinders on all of the door locks (schlage). Is this a DIY proposition without expensive specialized tools?

--zeb

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Yes, you will need a screwdriver.

Instead of replacing, it may be cheaper to take the cylinders to a locksmith and have them re-keyed. They just remove a pin and put a different size in its place.

You also want to be sure the locks you have a good security. May pay to replace them if they are not up to par.

[Bob]

cylinders

without

I once picked up a re-keying kit for my house locks. It contains the needed pins etc. It is a pretty easy task to change the locks if you have a key with a differents pattern. You could get such a key from the junk bin at any locksmith. The re-keying kit needs to match your locks. If you have a bunch of different lock types it may be more trouble than its worth.

Bob

[Stormin Mormon]

There are some things it's better off to hire the pro. AC tune ups for central AC is one of them. Rekeying locks is another one. Sure, it's possible to pull the locks out, and take them to the hardware. Stand and wait while the fellow there rekeys them. But a locksmith who is spending the time will notice and correct all kinds of small things that make him worth the money.

My perspective: 18 years in the locksmith field.

[bumtracks]

I diy'd rekeyed a housefull once to all match, wasn't much too it but boy do I have a skinny key. Taking the tumblers somewhere and having it done by a professional key guy with new tumbler pins and proper tools is probably a lot easier though and certainly should not cost much if you do the R&R.

[PrecisionMachinisT]

Generally you need to buy the rekeying kit from the manufacturer, IIRC about $20.00 for a Schlage lockset--Ive had good luck with Kwickset in the past, but never done Schlage.