Newbie Landlord Needs Help From YOU!

[makrsmark]

I'm a landlord and am wondering if you guys have heard of that EZ lock thing. basically you insert this "magic key" and rekey it in 10 seconds or something. How secure is this. Can the "magic key" be easily duplicated. i figure if anyone knows it's the guys that will pick it. HAVE ANY OF YOU ACTUALLY DONE IT??? If not, you should, and let me know how it goes.

also, I'm looking to find a deadbolt that balances cost and security. We have quite a few units, but are on a VERY limited budget. you lock pickers have any suggestions?

Lastly, have any of you ever heard of a rekey set, where i can rekey deadbolts myself to a master? any idea where i can find one and how much they are? i've heard a couple hundred bucks, but can't find any

Thanks for any replies.

[Varjeal]

I've heard of the EZ lock system...haven't used it or read much about it so I'm afraid I can't give you much info on that.

Are the units you own residential or commercial? and please define "quite a few"?

Regardless, I would suggest a grade 2 deadbolt with a Schlage 6 pin key. It's somewhat important that the deadbolt key matches the knobset, so if you have Kwikset or Weiser on the doors now, go to your local locksmith and ask them for a grade 2 deadbolt (not Weiser or Kwikset original but something like USCAN or LSDA) with a Weiser keyway.

Pin kits are available from many locksmith suppliers and manufactures. If this is something you will do often and want to perform yourself, I'd suggest purchasing a book or two, or better yet, take a basic course (many of which are offered around the U.S.) and get some hands on training.

Lab makes the more popular brand of pin kits available in different sizes and for specific types of locks. Your best bet would be to choose a specific brand of lock to work with, (phasing out locks that are not compatible), and purchase a pin kit for that particular type of lock which will most likely also contain miscellaneous small parts.

Also, you should find yourself a source for keyblanks and get yourself a small key machine as well.

If you require more specific advice that may lie outside the function of this site, feel free to MSN or pm at your convenience.

Good luck.

[Chucklz]

If you are going to be the one installing the deadbolts, may I suggest picking up a (used?) installation jig. Especially if you are going to be doing more than say 10.

[randmguy]

Makrsmark, Maintenance Warehouse and Century Maintenance Supply are both reasonably priced sources. Maintenance Warehouse generally has better quality merchandise but Century has prices so low on some really common items that it is easy to ignore the fact they aren't going to work forever. If you really want a mix of price and quality Century sells a really nice knock off Schlage deadbolt (only place I've ever found one). They also have brand specific pinning kits as well as the .005 LAB kit. The last time I checked online they were asking $189 for the LAB kit and $89 for a brand specific kit.

[marso]

Hi all,

I have seen the below url before and it mentions "construction keying" where you give contractors a key which works for the time period when there is work. Then you use a building finished key which makes it so the contractors key no longer works. After this you can use a key and safely know the contractors have not made duplicates. Does anyone know how it actually works?

http://www.lockweb.com.au/infoCentreDoc ... Keying.pdf

[Chucklz]

Yes. It uses ball bearings to accomplish the difference. THe house is in effect master keyed. But, instead of master pins, they use ball bearings. The construction key is cut lower so that the ball bearings stay in the plug when used. THe owners key, is cut so that the first time it is used, the ballls are all in the upper chambers, at the shear line. When the ownder turns his key, the ball bearings fall into little holes drilled on one side of the plug. The y stay in the little holes and thats that as far as "breaking out" generally goes.

[randmguy]

Marso I've also seen a plasic insert used to hold up the last 3 pins at the shear line...The contractor is issued a key with only the first 2 cuts made and the realtor or general contractor removes the insert when the new owner moves in.

[marso]

I think I will need to get my hands on one