Wiki: Replace a eurolock cylinder

[NT]

Based on the last one, tweaked to suit...

NT

[[image:Eurolock 2282-2.jpg|right|100px]] [[image:Euro_cylinder_481-3.jpg|right|100px]]

Eurolocks are a modern pattern of cylinder deadlock. As well as key operation, thumbturn cylinders are available, mainly for bathrooms.

Replacing a eurolock key cylinder is very easy, you just need to get the right length of cylinder to suit the door thickness. The lock cylinder can be replaced on its own, without removing the lock itself.

There are also other incompatible cylinder lock systems in use, such as [[night latches|Replace a lock cylinder]].

=3D=3DHow easy=3D=3D Replacing the key cylinder is a very simple job, as long as you can open the door. The lock itself isn't replaced.

=3D=3DWhy replace=3D=3D Apart from the obvious...

A new cylinder is around =A35 for a basic one, or =A320 for one with 6 hardened pins in 2011. So replacement is sometimes cheaper than copying keys. New cylinders usually come with 3 keys.

When moving into a house, you've no idea who has keys. Its prudent to replace external cylinders.

Some house insurance policies are invalid if a cylinder with unhardened pins is used on an external door. Such policies generally require a eurolock to meet EN....

=3D=3DThe new cylinder=3D=3D [[image:Eurolock measurements 3978-3.jpg|right|250px]]

The main choice with new cylinders is what length you need. The pictured one is called either 40-10-30 or 45-35.

Then you can have brass or chrome finish, and hardened or unhardened pins, 5 or 6 pins, and key operated or thumbturn.

• Cheaper unhardened pin cylinders are easier to drill open

• house insurance often requires 6 hardened pins

• unhardened is usually preferable for internal rooms & cupboards, easier to remove if keys are ever lost.

Its best not to have new locks, cylinders or keys posted to you, the seller usually has your address, either from the delivery address or credit card details, and there are people that copy keys and misuse them.

Used cylinders are just as secure as new, if the seller doesn't know where you live. If it doesn't come with 3 keys, bear in mind the cost of copies. If its for external use, check its stamped EN.

=3D=3DHow to replace=3D=3D [[image:Eurolock screw 5321-3.jpg|right|100px]] [[image:Eurolock going in 3976-3.jpg|right|100px]]

Replacement is simple: # Open the door # remove the retaining screw # Turning the key about 30 degrees in the right direction enables the cylinder to slide right out. # Insert key in new cylinder, turn it, and slide the cylinder into place. If it catches, waggle it. # Replace the retaining screw

=3D=3DIssues=3D=3D Issues sometimes encountered:

=3D=3D=3DGain access=3D=3D=3D If you're locked out and can't get in any other way, you can drill the lock cylinder, or if there are no protection plates fitted, snap it in two. if drilling, expect to ruin a few [[drill bit]]s in the process.

=3D=3D=3DLock needs to accept old key=3D=3D=3D In some situations you might need a new lock that takes the old key. Rekeying a lock cylinder is a locksmith job.

=3D=3D=3DStiffness=3D=3D=3D The usual cause is a door that isn't correctly aligned with the frame, resulting in a multilocking mechanism that isn't engaging 100%, thus the lock refuses to engage readily.

[[Oil]]ing the cylinder is never the solution. It causes staining of hands & clothing with dirty oil, and accumulation of muck inside the lock that hinders operation.

=3D=3D=3DKey needs waggling=3D=3D=3D If the key needs waggling to be able to turn, this is caused by a poorly cut key copy. It can also happen on old lock cylinders that have had a lot of use, and the mechanism is well worn.

=3D=3D=3DKey doesn't insert smoothly=3D=3D=3D [[image:Key projections 5284-3.jpg|right|185px]]

The key needs waggling to insert, or is stiff to insert. Some keys have a series of raised points between the pin landing areas as a result of the way they're cut. This can cause keys to not go in smoothly. The solution is to file these raised points on the key down

- obviously the pin landing areas must not be filed down.

In the picture to the right, the right key has these projections, the left one doesn't. The 5 flat low points between the projections in the right key are the pin landing areas.

=3D=3D=3DKey doesn't turn=3D=3D=3D If a key just doesn't turn at all, its not uncommon for a copied key to fail to work, due to a slight error in cutting.

=3D=3DSee also=3D=3D

• [[Replace a lock cylinder]]

• [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]

• [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]

• [[Door Security]]

• Wikipedia]

[[Category:Basics]] [[Category:Doors]] [[Category:Repair]] [[Category:Security]]

[dom]

I've found that very slightly slackening the retaining bolt can help with hard-to-turn keys in euro-cylinders.

It might also be worth mentioning that there are now some very well known attack methods on euro-cylinders, and the buyer may want to look for locks that are anti-bump etc. Also that it's good to have the barrel near-flush with the outside of the door to reduce forceful lock- attacks. Otherwise over-length barrels will fit, but just look unsightly. (perhaps also make clear that cylinder length is specified as the distance to the lock face on either side in mm, from the retaining bolt).

For people willing to spend a bit more, there are restricted key profiles available, meaning that key duplicates can only be cut by producing a certificate of ownership to the manufacturer or their authorised dealers. Very useful if a key is loaned out.

Finally, locksmiths are able to make up keyed-alike sets of euro- cylinders for the convenience of one-key-opens-all (or any other pattern of master and sub-master keys on more sophisticated cylinders).

[The Medway Handyman]

You wouldn't have a eurolock on a bathroom door Shirley?

Thumbturns are a good idea on the inside of external doors. If you deadlock & remove the key, how do you get out fast enough in a fire?

Not just the overall length, its the distances either side of the centre IYSWIM.

[Andrew Gabriel]

Not just the length, but you have to match the toggle position along the length too - the toggle is often not centred (and is also the retaining screwhole position).

The barrel must be flush (and not protrude) on the unsecured side of the door (which is normally the outside, but can be both sides in some cases).

That applies to the whole lock, and few if any PVC door locks conform, but insurance policies often also allow multipoint locking PVC doors.

Could mention that a locksmith can make up barrels to match other keys so a single key can operate a number of different types of locks.

[Mike Clarke]

If it still catches then loosen the screws holding the handles in place.

[NT]

next version... thank you folks

[[image:Eurolock 2282-2.jpg|right|100px]] [[image:Euro_cylinder_481-3.jpg|right|100px]]

Eurolocks are a modern pattern of cylinder deadlock. As well as key operation, thumbturn cylinders are available, mainly for bathrooms.

Replacing a eurolock key cylinder is very easy, you just need to get the right length of cylinder to suit the door thickness. The lock cylinder can be replaced on its own, without removing the lock itself.

There are also other incompatible cylinder lock systems in use, such as [[night latches|Replace a lock cylinder]].

=3D=3DHow easy=3D=3D Replacing the key cylinder is a very simple job, as long as you can open the door. The lock itself isn't replaced.

=3D=3DWhy replace=3D=3D Apart from the obvious...

A new cylinder is around =A35 for a basic one, or =A320 for one with 6 hardened pins in 2011. So replacement is sometimes cheaper than copying keys. New cylinders usually come with 3 keys.

When moving into a house, you've no idea who has keys. Its prudent to replace external cylinders.

Some house insurance policies are only valid when a specified type of cylinder is used on an external door. Such policies typically require a cylinder with 6 hardened pins. (There are typically requirements for the lock too, such as either meeting EN... or being a multipoint lock.)

=3D=3DThe new cylinder=3D=3D [[image:Eurolock measurements 3978-3.jpg|right|250px]]

The main choice with new cylinders is what length you need. The pictured one is called either 40-10-30 or 45-35. The replacement cylinder does need to be the right size, cylinders that stick out are rather vulnerable to well known attacks. And obviously a 33-55 couldn't be replaced with a 45-45. If the old cylinder is missing, each of the 2 length figures is the distance in mm from the retaining screw to the outer face.

Then you can have brass or chrome finish, and hardened or unhardened pins, 5 or 6 pins, and key operated or thumbturn.

• Cheaper unhardened pin cylinders are easier to drill open

• house insurance often requires 6 hardened pins on external doors

• unhardened is usually preferable for internal rooms & cupboards, easier to remove if keys are ever lost.

You can also get cylinders with restricted key profiles. Keys can then only be copied by authorised dealers, once a certificate of ownership has been produced.

You can also get keyed alike cylinders, and cylinders with master & submaster keying etc. Locksmiths can make these up.

Eurolocks have been opened by burglars by snapping & bumping. Snap & bump proof cylinders are available, like the

Avocet ABS].

Its best not to have new locks, cylinders or keys posted to you, the seller usually has your address, either from the delivery address or credit card details, and there are people that copy keys and misuse them.

Used cylinders are just as secure as new, if the seller doesn't know where you live.

• If it doesn't come with 3 keys, bear in mind the cost of copies

• If its for external use, check... stamped EN ?

• The number of pin landings on the key reveal whether its a 5 or 6 pin cylinder

=3D=3DHow to replace=3D=3D [[image:Eurolock screw 5321-3.jpg|right|100px]] [[image:Eurolock going in 3976-3.jpg|right|100px]]

Replacement is simple: # Open the door # remove the retaining screw # Turning the key about 30 degrees in the right direction enables the cylinder to slide right out. # Insert key in new cylinder, turn it, and slide the cylinder into place. If it catches, waggle it. If it still catches, loosen the handle screws a little temporarily. # Replace the retaining screw

=3D=3DIssues=3D=3D Issues sometimes encountered:

=3D=3D=3DGain access=3D=3D=3D If you're locked out and can't get in any other way, you can drill the lock cylinder, or if there are no protection plates fitted, snap it in two. if drilling, expect to ruin a few [[drill bit]]s in the process.

=3D=3D=3DLock needs to accept old key=3D=3D=3D In some situations you might need a new lock that takes the old key. Rekeying a lock cylinder is a locksmith job.

=3D=3D=3DStiffness=3D=3D=3D The usual cause is a door that isn't correctly aligned with the frame, resulting in a multilocking mechanism that isn't engaging 100%, thus the lock refuses to engage readily.

[[Oil]]ing the cylinder is never the solution. It causes staining of hands & clothing with dirty oil, and accumulation of muck inside the lock that hinders operation.

=3D=3D=3DKey needs waggling=3D=3D=3D If the key needs waggling to be able to turn, this is caused by a poorly cut key copy. It can also happen on old lock cylinders that have had a lot of use, and the mechanism is well worn.

=3D=3D=3DKey doesn't insert smoothly=3D=3D=3D [[image:Key projections 5284-3.jpg|right|185px]]

The key needs waggling to insert, or is stiff to insert. Some keys have a series of raised points between the pin landing areas as a result of the way they're cut. This can cause keys to not go in smoothly. The solution is to file these raised points on the key down

- obviously the pin landing areas must not be filed down.

In the picture to the right, the right key has these projections, the left one doesn't. The 5 flat low points between the projections in the right key are the pin landing areas.

=3D=3D=3DKey doesn't turn=3D=3D=3D If a key just doesn't turn at all, its not uncommon for a copied key to fail to work, due to a slight error in cutting.

=3D=3DSee also=3D=3D

• [[Replace a lock cylinder]]

• [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]]

• [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]]

• [[Door Security]]

• Wikipedia]

[[Category:Basics]] [[Category:Doors]] [[Category:Repair]] [[Category:Security]]

[Nightjar]

On 29/01/2012 09:57, [e-mail] wrote: ...

That was ruled as contrary to the EU anti-competition laws some years ago.

Colin Bignell

[Zapp Brannigan]

Anti-snap seems to be the key (ouch) here. A deliberate weak point halfway along the keyway, so that some pins remain active.

[The Medway Handyman]

But it is still the case Colin.

I took over the running of an office block around 6 months ago, the previous caretaker having left under a cloud, most of the keys going missing.

Several keys were 'security' keys & my local locksmith, who I know very well, refused to cut duplicates.

I had to get a letter of authorisation sent to a locksmith on the other side of town in order to get extra keys cut.

[Nightjar]

There is nothing illegal about your local locksmith refusing to cut the keys. However, if he had chosen to do so and the other locksmith had refused to supply the blanks, that would have been a restriction on free trade and, hence, illegal.

Colin Bignell

[fred]

In article , Zapp Brannigan writes

Emperor's new clothes IMV, snap off the front (removing all anti drill protection) and leave a few pins that will succumb more easily to a screwdriver bashed in and turned with a spanner, 20s max.

IMV the only way to protect a euro cylinder is with a security escutcheon (as per BS guidance on the subject), all security rated BS eurolocks have security escutcheons.

They have their place of course but even a protected one is no match for a 15quid BS approved 5 lever mortice deadlock/sashlock.

[The Medway Handyman]

It may be illegal, but my guy wouldn't even ask the other guy for the blanks. And I suspect the same would happen the other way around.