keep/replace baldwin prestige

[p90503]

took over a residence, they have this Baldwin brand installed
baldwin prestige deadbolt
back, side

front

i have keys for front and back, but i dont have side entrance key

they are all smartkey locks

... hows the quality on these (by which i mean strength/breakability) ?
- can they still be opened with a screwdriver in the lock and twist open like the kwikset?
- i dont have side-entrance key to be able to re-key it ... can i replace the cylinder ? (if you think the quality of the other hardware is ok to keep)

thank you.
Peter.

[GWiens2001]

Recommend getting something better.

We can't get into details of destructive entry in the public forums. But overall, the SmartKey is not as robust as some other locks. But if you have cheap hollow doors, cheap door frames, glass that is easily broken, and other weak points in your security, don't get too strong a lock.

Advantages are that the SmartKey is harder to pick, it is quick to rekey your place, and that it is immune to bumping. Disadvantages, to me, outweigh the advantages. Get a nice Schlage, and have a locksmith rekey it with a nasty bitting, add a Schlage T-pin and spring, and you will have a more robust lock.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

[EDIT: Moved to Questions from the Public - This Old Lock ]

[billdeserthills]

took over a residence, they have this Baldwin brand installed
baldwin prestige deadbolt
back, side

front

i have keys for front and back, but i dont have side entrance key

they are all smartkey locks

... hows the quality on these (by which i mean strength/breakability) ?
- can they still be opened with a screwdriver in the lock and twist open like the kwikset?
- i dont have side-entrance key to be able to re-key it ... can i replace the cylinder ? (if you think the quality of the other hardware is ok to keep)

thank you.
Peter.

The side entrance lock can be rekeyed by your local locksmith, I'm sure for much less than a new lock will cost.
Most locksmiths seem to hate the smartkey system, however there are many of this type lock in service, so they
must work well for someone. I have been using a few of them on my little apartment for a year and 1/2 and I have
only had one of my deadbolt locks jam-up, of it's own accord. I'm afraid to gain entry it had to be destroyed.

[dll932]

It may be possible to put a regular Arrow or Schlage cylinder in place of the Kwikset...or perhaps an older Kwikset cylinder.

[billdeserthills]

It may be possible to put a regular Arrow or Schlage cylinder in place of the Kwikset...or perhaps an older Kwikset cylinder.

No way, not without a milling machine and a lot of cussing

[dll932]

That's why God invented Dremels.

[NPLandKey]

Replace... Flat out REPLACE!!! I LOVE Baldwin hardware and am listed with them as an authorized service provider... BUT.... Prestige products are the cheaper side of Baldwin, still great, they don't come with lifetime warranties, but then again, they also don't come with the price of standard Baldwin... That is.... EXCEPT.... That "smart"key cylinder... It's garbage... Great idea, but poorly made die cast, garbage... Not only are they not really secure against even the most primitive force attacks (and I'm talking screwdriver and vice grips here... made even worse by the fact that they're so easily identifiable) but they tend to fail unexpectedly with little to no warning. I've been told by Baldwin that they're looking into replacement pin-tumbler (still using the KW1 / KW10 keyway) options but it will not work with many of their Prestige models, as the "smart"key system uses a completely round cylinder instead of the traditional round with pin stack profile in most of the Baldwin Prestige products.

The best bet is to send pictures directly to customer support at Baldwin and ask if a pin tumbler option is available... If it is, they will send them to you at little to no cost to you (depending how warranty info and model), and you can either replace it yourself (they'll send you instructions, the only tools you should need are a flat and a phillips head screwdriver) or have a locksmith do it for you... A simple cylinder swap out with the cylinders provided by Baldwin should cost you much less then totally new hardware.

Hope it helps,

Derek

[cledry]

I bought some Baldwin today and it is not their budget line and it is without doubt the cheapest garbage i have seen in a long time. The mortise body (Made in China) has a side case that is bowed out and the face of the lock is warped. I had to straighten the armored front too. The mortise cylinder also made in China has enough room to put 5 shims in the shear line.

The escutcheons made in Mexico are thin stampings, nothing wrought. The handles from Mexico seem OK. The 18" slide bolts aren't solid brass but a hollow extrusion, also Chinese.

The customer is spending almost $2000 dollars on this and frankly I am ashamed to install them.

[p90503]

what is nice and good hardware then that you'd recommend?

[billdeserthills]

I like Rocky Mountain hardware, but mainly because they are made in USA, Fusion looks nice but they are owned by the same company that owns schlage

[dll932]

I had to rekey some Baldwin key in knobs a few years ago at a fancy house. A few days later the customer called back all ticked off because the door wouldn't open. I went there, took it apart and found that the latch retractor had cracked. Now, if they did what nearly every other maker did and used stamped steel instead of a pot metal casting it wouldn't have cracked! The customer thought it was OUR fault and I told her no, better call the contractor who installed it. She still wasn't happy.

I have also installed/repaired many Baldwin mortise locks. I really don't like the mechanism for throwing the bolt as it doesn't have enough mechanical advantage. About all I can do with them is apply some good synthetic grease...and they are still stiff to throw.

[billdeserthills]

I had to rekey some Baldwin key in knobs a few years ago at a fancy house. A few days later the customer called back all ticked off because the door wouldn't open. I went there, took it apart and found that the latch retractor had cracked. Now, if they did what nearly every other maker did and used stamped steel instead of a pot metal casting it wouldn't have cracked! The customer thought it was OUR fault and I told her no, better call the contractor who installed it. She still wasn't happy.

I have also installed/repaired many Baldwin mortise locks. I really don't like the mechanism for throwing the bolt as it doesn't have enough mechanical advantage. About all I can do with them is apply some good synthetic grease...and they are still stiff to throw.

Baldwin mortise locks, like any other mortise lock is hard to throw, which is why Baldwin makes a large-head key, in order to get more leverage
I stock many factory key blanks and the Baldwin original keys I have I get $4.50 each for, as they are costly.

[globallockytoo]

Baldwin locks (pre-Smart Key) are guaranteed for life. Call Baldwin and get replacements for free.