Flip Kwikset left-hand lock knob to right-hand keyhole reversal

[MsMonarchdancer]

How do we flip a left-hand Kwikset lock so it works on a right-hand door?

I bought a set of Kwikset Security locks which advertise "Fits All Doors" & "Easy Installation". The Kwikset lock package contained two left-hand keyed knobs and two deadbolts.

The problem is there is NOTHING on the package that indicates the two keyed knobs are set up for left-handed doors (those with the hinge on the left). My outside doors are right-hand doors (they have the hinge on the right).

It's crazy to me that Kwikset doesn't even SAY on the package that all my lock cylinders will be upside down unless I can figure out how to switch the Kwikset lock from being a left-hand knob to a right-hand knob.

Do you know how?

I googled only to find a very tough to follow description of the lock knob keyhole reversing procedure sans pictures at

Is there a PHOTOGRAPH or DIAGRAM of how to reverse a quickset lock that is set up for a left-hand door to have the keyhole right-side up for a right-hand door?

The instructions have room for Spanish, English, and French, but no room to tell us how to install the lock such that the keyhole is right-side up.

Is the procedure to flip the Kwikset keyhole documented (with pictures)?

[MsMonarchdancer]

I should note this is a keyed "entry" lock, with no screws in the keyed half of the lock. If the keyhole reverses, it must be via some sort of lever or tab as there is no way I can even see to get the knob off.

I think the door entry lock part number is Kwikset 25513-001.

Where can I find PICTURES or DIAGRAMS of the procedure to flip a Kwikset entry lock from the left-hand keyhole position to a right-handed lock?

[MsMonarchdancer]

This PDF of the type of instructions that come with my Kwikset entry lock does not explain how to reverse an upside down keyway.

Oh my, I just realized I have to REMOVE THE LOCK CYLINDER in order to switch the Kwikset lock from a left-hand upside-down keyhole to a right-hand right-side up keyway! So much for the "Easy Installation" and "Fits All Doors" on the package! :(

Why doesn't Kwikset just LABEL their package for left-hand doors only?

[MsMonarchdancer]

The knob entry lock looks much like the photograph here

I'm shocked that I have to order this Kwikset cylinder removal tool just to get the lock to fit a right hand door.

Assuming left hand and right hand doors are each half the doors in the world, it seems inconceivable to me that we'd need a hundred dollar tool for half the houses of the world!

I must be missing something simple.

Do YOU know where SIMPLE instructions might be for switching a Kwikset entry lock keyway from upside down to right side up?

[MsMonarchdancer]

I give up. I tried for hours to remove the lock so I could put it right side up instead of upside down in my right hand door.

It seems I lack a three-dollar tool.

Instead of ordering the tool, I'm so very frustrated with this 50 dollar Kwikset lock that I'm returning it to the Home Depot tomorrow.

What I learned so far is to never ever again purchase any door entry lock that doesn't SAY whether it's a right or left-handed lock!

Otherwise, half the time, we'd be buying the WRONG lock!

I suspect Kwikset did this on purpose but for the life of me, I can't figure out what perverse thoughts were in their mind to torture us so.

[kitchens etc.]

pull off the striker plate (on the back set) rotate the striker bolt 180 degrees then reinstall lockset.

[kitchens etc.]

this theory holds true if the doors are "out-swing" doors "in-swing" doors are hinged the opposite.

example: in-swing door with hinge on right is a "left hinged" door.

[Nate Nagel]

I'm not sure, but...

...why Kwikset? Schlage is nearly the same price, and MUCH better quality - you can feel the difference just by turning the knob, heavier metal, parts less "sloppy" - even if you aren't in any way mechanically inclined.

I'm not really of a criminal bent, but I have my suspicions that I could easily break/bypass your Kwikset lockset with only a good pair of boots

- I suspect one swift kick would knock the outer knob right off the door.

Of course, if you don't have a deadbolt, there's no point worrying about it... any kid with a library card can get in your door.

nate

[kitchens etc.]

| > I bought a set of Kwikset Security locks which advertise "Fits All Doors" & | > "Easy Installation". The Kwikset lock package contained two left-hand keyed | > knobs and two deadbolts. | >

| > The problem is there is NOTHING on the package that indicates the two keyed | > knobs are set up for left-handed doors (those with the hinge on the left). | > My outside doors are right-hand doors (they have the hinge on the right). | >

| > It's crazy to me that Kwikset doesn't even SAY on the package that all my | > lock cylinders will be upside down unless I can figure out how to switch | > the Kwikset lock from being a left-hand knob to a right-hand knob. | >

| > Do you know how? | >

| > I googled only to find a very tough to follow description of the lock knob | > keyhole reversing procedure sans pictures at | >

| >

| > Is there a PHOTOGRAPH or DIAGRAM of how to reverse a quickset lock that is | > set up for a left-hand door to have the keyhole right-side up for a | > right-hand door? | >

| > The instructions have room for Spanish, English, and French, but no room to | > tell us how to install the lock such that the keyhole is right-side up. | >

| > Is the procedure to flip the Kwikset keyhole documented (with pictures)? | | I'm not sure, but... | | ...why Kwikset? Schlage is nearly the same price, and MUCH better | quality - you can feel the difference just by turning the knob, heavier | metal, parts less "sloppy" - even if you aren't in any way mechanically | inclined. | | I'm not really of a criminal bent, but I have my suspicions that I could | easily break/bypass your Kwikset lockset with only a good pair of boots | - I suspect one swift kick would knock the outer knob right off the door.

or your hip and knee would give out, or maybe twist your ankle. If this is a bet I will take that bet and raise you $100 that you can not kick off a kwikset lock. even the firemen had to use an ax to get in my neighbors house when it caught fire last year. and yes they had kwikset locks.

| | Of course, if you don't have a deadbolt, there's no point worrying about | it... any kid with a library card can get in your door.

not true kwikset locks have an anti-theft pin so that can't happen. do I hear another bet?

| | nate | |

locks are to keep the honest people honest. criminals would just break a window, lock or no lock.

[Stormin Mormon]

I learned how to disassemble Kwikkies from the locksmiths who trained me. I don't know of any web sites to help out.

Where did you buy the locks? Maybe someone there can help?

[Stormin Mormon]

I've never net searched this question. I use a cylinder removal tool which I got from my wholesale parts house. You have to remove the center shaft, and snap the cylinder out. Snap it back in (right side up) and replace the center shaft.

[Stormin Mormon]

Oh, so it sounds like you found some instructions.

They probably randomly ship right or left hand locks. So, it's guess and miss if they will fit.

[Stormin Mormon]

I didn't look at your link, but a "kwikset puller" is probably different than the cylinder removal tool that I use. My cylinder removal tool cost less than a dollar at my parts house.

You're missing that Kwikset sells a very simple tool for reversing the cylinders. And you're also missing that some folks work at locksmith shops and learn from other locksmiths.

[Stormin Mormon]

Ah, now we get some more information. You bought the locks at Home Depot. Well, that makes you a frugal home owner. If you were interested in having it done, you could likely find a locksmith who would come out and do the install for you. And then he (she?) could do the cylinder removal for you. Actually, it doesn't surprise me that you're not a locksmith customer. If you were, you'd have the job all done by now. And you wouldn't be posting repeatedly to usenet looking for free advice.

By trying to save a buck on buying your own lock, you wasted several hours of your life. What is your life worth? What is your time worth? Was that a good use of your time? Spend hours to learn something you'll need twice in your life?

Just call a locksmith and be done with it.

[Stormin Mormon]

I used to like Schlage, when they had the two piece exterior knobs. The new ones with the one piece knob are garbage. I bought a couple of them to install for a customer, and had to take em back.

[George]

And even worse the Home depot Kwikset locksets are the total bottom of whatever little quality Kwikset has.

[Nate Nagel]

You're on because I know I will win, because I actually had to break into my last house once because my landlady inadvertantly locked the front screen door on me and I didn't have a key to the back door. It is a kwikset and I got into the house using only my library card. I've done this before on other similar locks using a flexible plastic sheet intended for protecting the little "in case of fire" placards you see mounted over fire alarm pull stations. (it is so thoughtful of building engineers to put just the tool you need to break into a space right near the exit doors LOL)

AGREED!

You've got a better chance of a neighbor hearing someone break a window than you do having them hear someone "card" a lockset. And I can do it with pretty much any lockset, not just kwikset. If you don't have a deadbolt, you essentially have no security at all.

nate

[mm]

You just want the key to be "right side" up? How do you know which side is the right side? :)

Why can't you just rotate the whole lock 180 degrees?

Every second house in my n'hood has a door that swings one way, and every first and third house, the door swings the other way. (or opens from the other side, depending on how you phrase it.) And I'm sure they all have Kwikset locks like I do. Do you want me to check which side of the keyhole goes up in my neighbors' locks?

For me, I think the key's teeth point up. Is that good or bad?

Where is it written what is up and what is down?

I believe the doorknob has to be turned the opposite direction also, depending on what side of the door the lock is, and that that would be true even if the keyhole were reversed top to bottom. Isn't that true of your previous lock? People learn to do that automatically with time.

[DanG]

It is really disruptive to give out bad and inaccurate advice. A door that swings away from you as you approach it with the hinges on the right hand side, is a right hand door. The same door pulling toward you is a right hand reverse.

If you don't know, here is a picture you can download and keep in your pocket:

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[SMS]

Kwikset probably thinks that it's crazy that anyone would care which direction the keyhole would be. There isn't a "right-side-up" because it's different on doors with the hole on the right than on the left.

If you buy the after-market Kwikset re-keying kit at Home Depot, it comes with the tools, and instructions. You can put the cylinder back in either way. The procedure is different for the doorknob and the deadbolt. The deadbolt is easier, and no tools are needed. I've done rekeying of Kwikset locks many times, I just did one a few weeks ago.

See:

"

""" I think that you'll have the same issue with any brand of lock you buy. You'll have to disassemble it to remove the cylinder and flip it over if you want the keyhole in the opposite orientation.