Front door lock and handle set

[Jan Philips]

I need to replace the lock and handle on a front door. I want to key it the same as one of the locks on the kitchen door. The kitchen has a Kwikset deadbolt and a Schlage doorknob. I want the key to match one of these. I'm going to try to do the replacement by myself. I know Kwikset has an easy way to rekey it (I've done it once).

Does Schlage have an easy way to do that, w/o calling a locksmith?

As far as quality, I've read reviews saying that one was better than the other, and vice versa. What is the lowdown on the quality of these two?

[Stormin Mormon]

Kwikset has a "you change" design of lock. I've not worked on these much, but I don't trust them. If I was in your shoes, I'd go to some place like Lowe's or HD and ask if they have two sets of locks already keyed alike. Often they do, there might be a sticker on the locks "key number ####" and you can get two sets alike. Many hardware have someone who has the skill to repin the locks, so you can buy two sets and have the second set repinned.

I've found most locksmiths will rekey locks that you bought, if you call ahead and bring them to the store. Bench work on new locks cheaper than a call out to the house.

Schlage has suffered some terrible blows to quality, last few years. I think they are now far worse than Kwikset.

. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus

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[Unquestionably Confused]

Check the big box stores. I have, in the past, bought rekey kits for Schlage locks for about $10. They give you everything you need to change out the keying on four or five locks.

Clear instructions and a pair of new keys.

A couple years ago I stumbled into one of the garage sales we all dream about - all kinds of stuff that you never knew you wanted/needed at dirt cheap prices. I picked up a locksmith's kit for rekeying Schlage locks

- two of them actually - for the whopping price of $15. Kit that I bought even is capable of doing master key setups. Sweet!

After you've done one, the rest are easy. Just take your time.

[Jan Philips]

Well, if I got a new pair keyed alike, I'd really have to get three, to match the back door too. And that would be replacing two that don't need replacing.

But I found a video online that convinced me that Schlage is better than Kwikset. So, I thought of a better plan - along the lines you suggested. Buy the Schlage at a store, ask if they have someone that can re-key it. If not, take it by a locksmith and have them do it there, rather than have the locksmith make a house call.

[Stormin Mormon]

I've been installing and repairing locks since

1985. You did ask the list for advice, and that's mine. The commercial Schlage is excellent. The residential series found in stores now days, I'd not have them if you offered them to me free. The F51 knobs changed to a one piece design with exploding spring cap, and the B-360 is garbage design with "air shot" bolt that has no strength that I can figure.

BTW, my front and back door both have knob and deadbolt, and all four are Kwikset. Pin tumbler, not the easy change nightmare.

. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus

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[Meanie]

Schlage residential products have suffered a setback but their commercial products are still in the tops, IMO. Though if I had to choose Schlage or Kwikset residential products it will always be Schlage.

There is a video (I think You tube) which displays the ease of breaking the Kwikset "change" lock knobs along with a few other Kwikset locking systems.

[clare]

That depends what "line" of slage lock you buy. They have some pretty good "commercial" type locks and some pretty crappy "big box specials".

[clare]

There ARE other manufacturers - it doesn't have to be either or. I've got Weiser locks on all 3 house doors, and an old one on the shed. The front is a disk type easy-reset dead bolt and it has been good other than not having been installed quite right - which I fixed a couple weeks ago. You DO want to check to see that the key profile is not tapered like a knife blade - you want the tip to be wider than part way Was told this by a good locksmith when the first one failed- my daughter pulled the key out in the wrong position - it was tapered. Replaced with a "good" profile key and it's been good ever since.

[Jan Philips]

I visited both Lowes and HD today. HD had a better selection on display. Lowes said that they could rekey it for me (I didn't ask about that at Lowes). This is the main one I was considering:

[mroberds]

I did that at the local Home Depot a few years ago, when I needed some locks keyed alike. I think the re-keying was free, but I *was* buying six locks at once.

Agreed.

Matt Roberds

[Stormin Mormon]

I've seen a variety of videos. I'd never mention that on a public forum, but since you brought it up.

I think the Schlage commercial are excellent. Though, I disagree about the residential locks.

[Stormin Mormon]

What are the odds of buying a couple A51 knobs and a couple of B560 deadbolts at Lowe's?

I agree that the surface temperature of Planet Uranus is cold enough to freeze beer, but how's that relate to buying locks a Lowe's?

[Stormin Mormon]

I've never been impressed with the Weiser brand. Tolerances far too sloppy.

Yes, I've seen what I call "ski slope" keys, occasionally on stores. OTOH, don't want super deep cuts near the handle, makes it too easy to break off a key.

[Stormin Mormon]

I don't know for sure what kind of deadbolt that is, but it's likely a variation on the B360. I'd not have one of those on my house.

. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus

.

[TomR]

My vote would be to just buy a knob and deadbolt for the front door and an identical keyed-alike knob and deadbolt for the back door. Then all 4 locks will be on one key.

Another option is to just buy what you want for the front door and, depending on whether you pick a Kwikset or a Schlage set for the front door, bring the corresponding brand key from the back door with you and ask them to re-key your new front door knob and deadbolt to match the key that you bring in. I think Home Depot and Lowes both do that for $5 per lock/re-key -- so they'll re-key the new front door knob and deadbolt to match the back door key for $10. Of course, check with both stores before doing that to see if that is correct and what they charge.