Re-keying knockoff locks to a Kwikset key-- possible?

[lockedin]

Well I had an extra Duraset knob lock laying around, and decided to see if I could re-pin it to my Kwikset aparment key. Surprisingly, it worked. I'm just wondering whether this is possible with other knock-off locks that use the KW1 keyway. For example, I have a couple of EZ-sets that I would like to make compatible with the housekey, but don't know if the pins are spaced the same distance as the Kwiksets. Has anyone else tried this? Thanks in advance.

[yng_pick]

its been my experience that most knock-offs are of close spacing- the only thing I've run into on some odd ball locks, is differences in the effective diameter of the cylinder- do you have only kwikset pins, or are you using universal pins?

if your pins are slightly too low- you may want to campher the chambers of the plug with a #2 screwdriver (or a drill bit).

a somewhat unrelated method i have seen used- placing a bottom pin in place of a top pin. rather than using the 180 driver pin- putting a 180 universal pin (pointed side facing down, towards the key)

both of these methods allow a little room if your keys are worn, or if your pin choices are limited (the second method especially if a lock is used by an excessive amount of keys). both methods lower the security of the lock as well.. as much security as a kwikset knockoff will provide lol

[Krypos]

mmmm. i have goofed around abit with that. i have an old door lock, kwikset i think, and i got a newer lock for goofing with. (both practice locks) and i ws wondering the same, so i played with them, and only 2 of the five pins from the old lock had to be brought over, so 3/5 worked fine after adjusting them around in different places. so it is possible, but it is mostly just chance to see if the spacing of the pins will work, if not some other pins are neccesary

[lockedin]

do you have only kwikset pins, or are you using universal pins?

I have only Kwikset pins. Thanks for your responses.

[jimb]

I'm just wondering whether this is possible with other knock-off locks that use the KW1 keyway.

I re-keyed 6 Yale Locks on a house to a KW1 factory key a couple of days ago, but it did require slightly longer pins than the code on the key.

[lockedin]

I re-keyed 6 Yale Locks on a house to a KW1 factory key a couple of days ago, but it did require slightly longer pins than the code on the key.

How is this even possible? Aren't Yale wards and Kwikset key wards hecka different?

[jimb]

Aren't Yale wards and Kwikset key wards hecka different?

Yea, that's what I thought. After not being able to locate the correct blank I just stated trying different keys and the KW1 was a perfect fit Out of the 6 locks 2 were deadbolts and read Yale on the front of the lock.

[maxxed]

The cuts on factory Kwickset keys like Weiser have very wide flats, this allows the keys to line up reasonably well with many knockoffs.

[yng_pick]

The Yale 222 (i think its 222, or something similar) is the same key used in Harloc locks- and I think its also a knock off the keyway kwikset uses.

A lot of these different brands, and slightly different keyways can be switched around- only occasionally you will run into problems.

Such as- if you key a import schlage to a Clo-pay key- the sc1 knockoff that is skinnier- you may run into the problem of key duplication, where as a regular sc1 will not fit into the cylinder. This goes for many different brands and their knockoffs.