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?

On 9/19/2014 1:35 AM, Jan Philips wrote:
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?

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
www.lds.org
..

On 9/19/2014 12:35 AM, Jan Philips wrote:
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?


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.

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:48:23 -0400, Stormin Mormon
wrote:

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.

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.

On 9/19/2014 2:10 PM, Jan Philips wrote:
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.


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
www.lds.org
..

On 9/19/2014 8:48 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:


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.


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.

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:48:23 -0400, Stormin Mormon
wrote:

On 9/19/2014 1:35 AM, Jan Philips wrote:
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?

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

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 17:51:19 -0400, Meanie
wrote:

On 9/19/2014 8:48 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:


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.


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.


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.

On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 01:35:31 -0400, Jan Philips
wrote:

I need to replace the lock and handle on a front door. ...

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:

http://www.schlage.com/en/home/produ...uct/handlesets

Jan Philips wrote:
Buy the Schlage at a store, ask if they have someone that can re-key
it.

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.

If not, take it by a locksmith and have them do it there, rather than
have the locksmith make a house call.

Agreed.

Matt Roberds

On 9/19/2014 5:51 PM, Meanie wrote:
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.

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.


--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 9/19/2014 8:20 PM, wrote:
On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:48:23 -0400, Stormin Mormon
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
www.lds.org
.
That depends what "line" of slage lock you buy. They have some pretty
good "commercial" type locks and some pretty crappy "big box
specials".

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?

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 9/19/2014 8:28 PM, wrote:
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.

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.

--
..
Christopher A. Young
Learn about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

On 9/19/2014 8:51 PM, Jan Philips wrote:
On Fri, 19 Sep 2014 01:35:31 -0400, Jan Philips
wrote:

I need to replace the lock and handle on a front door. ...

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:

http://www.schlage.com/en/home/produ...uct/handlesets

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
www.lds.org
..

In ,
Jan Philips typed:
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?

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.