To change a lock so that it fits an existing key, you simply work in the opposite direction: You change the pattern of the pins in the lock so that it matches the pattern of notches in the key. If the lock is designed with a universal keying system, any locksmith can re-key the lock in no time.
Pick the key you like the best (or have the most of) and have all the other knobs keyed to it. Remove the locks that need to be rekeyed and take them to a locksmith or a hardware store. Bring a key that works each of the locks and the key you want all the locks keyed to and give us five minutes a lock.
Rekeying a lock is a common task for a locksmith, and this simple project only takes about 30 minutes to complete. The only tools you'll need to rekey your lock yourself are a rekey kit and the current key to the lock. This saves considerable money, especially when you need to access multiple locks with the same key.
The most common locks to key alike are the front door, back door, side door, and garage door. However, it is also possible to key alike the rest of the locks in your home as long as they are within the same brand.
We rekey Kwikset and Schlage locks at a fraction of the price of having to replace your locksets. We can also create a 'master key' for superintendents or landlords that need access to multiple units without carrying a hundred keys. We also key Masterlock padlocks to an existing Masterlock key.
Rekeying a lock generally takes about 15 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock as well as the skills of the person working on it. The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the lock from the door – the actual rekeying is much simpler. If it's simple, should you rekey your lock yourself?
Although there are many different types of locks, today we're going to talk about rekeying a pin and tumbler lock. This is the most common and one of the easiest types of locks to rekey aside from old-school locks.
A restricted keyway lock is designed to prevent unauthorized duplication of keys. Most of these locks utilize a key that is controlled by one specific locksmith and also requires you to be on a signature card in order to have keys copied.
Abloy keys
Abloy Key Systems offer a range of locking solutions for every need. These unique keys use cylinders, not pins, and have a unique cutting mechanism for making them which makes them very hard to copy them.
Abloy Keys:
This is a high-security lock that requires you to use an access card, and the key can't be duplicated. Abloy keys are unavailable to be duplicated because they have a cutting mechanism that can't be imitated.
Rekeying is usually cheaper, and it still provides you with a renewed sense of security. If you move into a new home or if your key is lost or stolen, rekeying your lock will almost always suffice. If your lock mechanism is beginning to deteriorate, however, consider changing the lock.
It is usually cheaper to rekey the existing door hardware than to completely replace it. A lock rekey is great if you already like your current door knob and want a cost effective safety solution. Rekeying your hardware is a simple way to keep your home and work place safe and secure.
But, while most homeowners already have the tools they need to change locks, rekeying them can require special tools, and those can be expensive. That's why it's easier for most homeowners to hire a locksmith to rekey their locks.
Re-keying a new lock to match an existing Kwikset key is simple and easy. And all Kwikset pin & tumbler locks can be re-keyed to achieve convenient one-key operation across multiple locks. All you need is a Kwikset Re-keying Kit, a Kwikset key, and a pin & tumbler lock.
Schlage locks with a cylinder, whether a mechanical lock or smart lock, can be keyed alike or rekeyed according to your needs.
We're going to tell you how locksmiths make a new key when the original key has gone missing or was stolen. It's possible to recuperate function of an existing lock even if the key is not available. One technique that locksmiths use to do this is called “impressioning.”
One of the most secure lock types is a deadbolt lock. It is composed of solid materials and it has a pretty complicated locking mechanism. There are two types of this lock – a single-cylinder deadbolt and a double-cylinder one. The second option will provide you with the highest level of security.
Fire codes in some homes prohibit the use of double-keyed deadbolts on egress doors. In rental houses, it's crucial to take into account the liability of using double-keyed deadbolts. Before installing such a lock, be sure to check local laws.
In the U.S., there is no single comprehensive law against dual-cylinder deadbolts. Individual cities and states have local property and fire codes that may prohibit the use of dual-cylinder deadbolts. The code may prohibit the use of dual-cylinder deadbolts in some buildings and allow them in others.
The only exception in which the Home Depot does not copy keys is when the key has a “do not duplicate” sign. The Home Depot works with major key brands like Schlage, Yale, MiLock, and Kwikset. If keys do not belong to these brands, a suitable blank may still be used.
1) EVVA MCS
Each key has a complex rounded shape, this coupled with the magnetic element makes it an extremely hard lock to pick. The only way to gain access to the door would be for the key to be cloned, and in that case, a master locksmith would need to get their hands on the original key.
The main types of door functions are Passage (doors that don't require locking), Privacy (a door that can be locked by a button on the inside), Dummy (has no mechanical latch and acts only as a pull), and Interior Mortise (door with an active latch with skeleton key lock).
In general, prices average between $20 and $50 for a single lock and can cost up to $130 for a house. However, if you call a locksmith out on an emergency you can expect it to cost an extra $100 to $150. If you need to rekey your vehicle the price ranges from $75 to $180 for most locksmith companies.
Pin-and-tumbler locks are the most common type of lock used on most doors. This style of lock uses a stack of pins and springs to keep the door closed, so when you turn the key it pushes each pin up and out of the way in order to unlock it.
House locks have a series of levers and pins set to a specific formulation that only accepts a particular key. Therefore, there's no such thing as a universal key that can open any door lock. However, there are master keys that can open multiple locks set to accept them.