Lost keys - need to change cylinder?

While a locksmith could modify the cylinders, it will probably take a day or two, so what do you do about the doors while that is happening? OTOH, I wouldn't buy cylinders from B&Q, unless they say how many pins the cylinder has. Basic cylinders are five pin, but six pin is considered to be the minimum needed to give good security and seven is even better, although more expensive.

Colin Bignell

"nightjar .uk.com>"

It may cost more for a cylinder modification and all the new keys that are required to be cut to match than buying a new cylinder with free new keys.

Adam

Change the cylinders and while you're at it fit proper mortice locks as well, because a Yale won't stop anyone.

|On Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:43:57 +0100, oh-news wrote: | |> My daughter lost a bag with keys and address information, so the |> question is basically what should we do with the locks (Yale cylinders)? |> Changing the cylinders is dead easy but could a locksmith modify the |> existing cylinder and make new keys for it, or should I not bother and |> just get new cylinders out of B&Q? | |Change the cylinders and while you're at it fit proper mortice locks as |well, because a Yale won't stop anyone.

Isn't that a generalisation? (I assume that by 'Yale' you mean anything that looks like a cylinder lock)

My insurance company wanted 5 lever mortice but are perfectly happy with our Yale BS 3621 cylinder lock. And the keys are lighter to carry!

That depends on the security level. It is definitely cheaper for me to get cylinders modified than to buy new ones, but I have lots of high security locks in a three-tier master key system.

Colin Bignell

how do you rekey those yourself? drill out the metal plugs over the pins, swap pins, then how do you replug them?

NT

Probably not (most cheap cylinders aren't rekeyable, by practical means)

Certainly not for less money than buying some new cylinders.

I've even found it cheaper to buy new cylinders with plenty of supplied keys than it was to get some spare keys cut. It's a question of mass production vs. one-off cutting.

Some Yale type locks provide sufficient security, but they are expensive. However, I prefer the convenience, so fitted one anyway. The type is a PBS1, IIRC. It is much more substantial than other types and is more strongly attached to the door.

If you are relying on a standard nightlatch for main door security, then chuck out the entire lock and fit one of these.

Christian.

It also has a mechanism to stop it being 'carded'...

Which is about as effective as a chocolate fireguard.

Tee hee. I prefer the convenience of not having a Yale type lock so I can go outside my front door without having to worry..

cheers, clive

Is this the one with the extra sticky out bit which means the bolt can only push in at the same time? When the door is shut, the bolt is out, the extra bit is still pushed in, so you can only move the bolt via the lock.

If so, how does one bypass it/render it ineffective, allowing you to 'card' it?

cheers, clive

Explain, please. As it stands, that's a sweeping, unsubstantiated statement. I'm not even sure you're talking about the same thing. But I'd like to know.

Probably not what he meant (we'll see) but my view is that, over a certain level of lock security, the lock is way ahead of the door frame, the door, windows round the back etc. If you can pop round the back of a house and break a widow muffled with a blanket, or force one that's been left ajar in the hot weather, the lock is, as he said, as much use as a chocolate fireguard. The security chain is only as strong as the weakest link. People often (in this weather) make a great play about locking their front door at night and then leave windows open onto flat roofs etc. A reasonably secure Yale lock is usually as good as is needed, given the rest of the security on most houses. If you are into motorised steel shutters on all windows etc THEN you need the fanciest damn lock there is as that will then be the weak point. Alternatively, have nothing worth nicking and leave the doors and windows open!

And another thing, why lock d/g window handles when you go away? To operate a handle from outside you would have to break a window anyway and then you can climb through the hole. It adds no extra security, just a lot of annoyance when you get back!

It invalidates my house contents insurance if they are not locked.

Adam

It does mine as well.

I think the rationale is that a burglar can quietly break open a small window then open a big casement with a wire coat hanger. this gives him a big opening to make his escape, possibly in a hurry, which is not encumbered with broken glass. I'm told an experienced burglar will not enter a property without securing an escape route.

DG