Tuesday, October 31, 2017

How To Use A House Rekey Kit

By Mark Turner


It is simple to learn how to change your own locks. By simply removing the cylinder and changing the pins, you can have a new lock. Purchase a house rekey kit from your local hardware store. If you have lost the keys to your front door, you know how worrisome it is thinking some stranger will find them. Being able to change your own locks can put your mind at ease.

If you are not the original owner or tenant you do not know who might have keys to your home. Calling the locksmith it can be expensive. Even taking the lock to a shop can be pricey. In addition, if you have more than one lock on your doors or they are not keyed the same, the cost of the locksmith can get pretty high.

A dot it yourself kit lets you do the same job as the professional and costs much less. All the common lock brands are available for purchase. Remember that these kits can not be used interchangeably. Make sure that you buy the kits that will match the various brands in your home. With any luck the locks in your home are the same brand.

One kit is able to change 6 locks. Additional pins can be ordered if you have more than six locks to change. The kits work with deadbolts and have 2 keys. Each kit has the tools that are needed to do the job. You will need a screwdriver and tweezers. Be sure to hang on to the keys to the lock you are changing to use to remove the cylinder in the old lock.

Make sure you use the correct kit and check the instructions since there are variations between brands. Your first step is to remove the door knob by inserting the wire that comes with the kit into the hole in the knob and depressing the clip. This will allow you to pull the knob off. Then insert the key in the lock turning it until it is unlocked. Next remove the knob and lock cylinder.

The kit comes with a tool to remove the retainer ring by pushing against and popping out the ring from the cylinder. Use the tool to pry the slim ring from the cylinder. Make sure you keep the ring so you can put it back on later. Now take the retainer ring off.

Removing the cylinder plug is next. Use the old key to insert and turn in left or right. You can now use the plug follower in the kit to remove the plug. You can do this by pushing the follower all the way through the cylinder. Keep pressure between the plug and the follower to keep the pins and springs from flying out.

Once the pins are removed, insert the key from the kit. Use tweezers and color guide in the kit to match the new pins and insert into the cylinder. When this step is finished work in reverse to reassemble the lock. Before you begin this project make sure to have all the tools at your finger tips.




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