Repinning a CES Euro-Profile Cylinder

[Haertig]

I need to repin a CES Euro-Profile lock that has a keyway that is designed to take standard Schlage C keys.

Can I use my Schlage repinning kit? If not, where can I obtain an appropriate repinning kit (and what do I ask for!)?

The cylinder has an oval plastic cap that is over the top of the pins. If this cap is removed, can the cylinder be repinned from the top? If so, what is the best way to remove the cap without destroying it so I can reuse it? If it must be destroyed, where can I obtain replacements.

I'm in the US.


Thanks!


Gray

[bluestar]

Perhaps CES can help you with this question:
http://www.ces-cylinder.de/_nexus/english/index.php

[peregris]

You can use a Schlage pin kit, as long as you have a CES change key - they work on the Schlage C keyway, but have a round head that looks like a Yale. The problem is that a Schlage C key's peaks and valleys don't line up with the CES cylinders pin holes.

As far as the plastic top - there is a little tool that they give you with new locks to open that up. It looks like a ring of wire with a straight bit that comes off with a 90-degree turn on the very end. I don't remember it working that well. I usually try to get a key extractor tip or some thing in there and pry it out. If you can get one side of it up without breaking it, you can slide it while lifting with needle-nose pliers. Any method you try, you'll probably break it. If you do, don't panic. Most times you can re-use it as long as it still has enough left to cover all the pin holes. Otherwise, I have whittled down pieces of wood to fit in there and that works just fine.

All in all, I hate arriving at rekeying jobs and seeing multiple CES profile cylinders. It just means extra time, extra work, and extra frustration.

[Haertig]

Thanks for the info peregris!

Doe this mean that I won't be able to produce a common key that will open both CES and Schlage cylinders. The house has a mix and the object is to key everything alike.

Gray

[peregris]

You just hit on the main problem - people don't like having more than one key for their house, and they didn't choose to have the CES lock. They don't understand the problem.

You _can_ key everything alike, but it takes a lot of work. Hopefully, you have a pin kit that has all the increments, like the "green wedge" - I forget the company - HPL, maybe? If you have just a Schlage pin kit, you won't be able to key alike.

Basically, it's a matter of trial and error. There is no set difference from the Schlage numbers. For instance, if the first pin should be a Schlage 4 (.225) and you find that a Schlage 2 (.195) works, that doesn't necessarily mean that all the other pins are just 2 Schlage increments down. You have to find which pin works with each hole. They may be a Schlage pin, or any of the other increments. Just keep trying pins until you get the sheer line and the key turns. Also make sure you put top pins in each time and try it again. If you put all the bottom pins in and the key works, then put in the top pins and it doesn't work, you don't know which pin is your problem and you have to start again.

I realize this may not make the most sense, but its hard to explain things in words that you are used to doing with your hands.

Anyway, like I said - it's a matter of trial and error and a lot of work and time. I would definitely charge more than your standard re-keying charge.

Hope this helps, and good luck - you'll need it.