Lock Drill & Re-Key?

[lockpick771]

Hello -

I have a door and a security gate. The door has a deadbolt and a knob with a key lock. The security gate also has a deadbolt and a knob with a key lock. All are Schlage locks and all have been keyed to use the same key.

Yesterday I locked myself out because the knob was in the lock position when I shut the door behind me walking out for a brief moment. The locksmith that came was unable to pick the lock and ended up having to drill it.

I would like to replace the lock in the knob that was drilled and I would like to match the lock to the key that I already have which works on the other 3 locks. 2 questions:

1) All the tutorials I see for removing the key cylinder involve placing the old key in the lock, which was drilled. What are my options for removing? Do I just buy a new cylinder once I do?

2) The kids I see online come with pins to rekey to the keys that come in the package. Whats the best rout if I want to key the new lock to the keys that I have?

I find this all really interesting and have watched a few YouTube videos. I figured I would ask here so I don't run out and buy stuff that won't help me.

Thank You.

[jeffmoss26]

I would take your locks to a real locksmith and have him sell you replacement plugs for the locks that are damaged, and key them to your existing key.

[Squelchtone]

I would like to know how much the locksmith charged you and if they were in an unmarked vehicle and dressed in civilian clothing, how long did they try to pick before drilling and if the price quoted on the phone was much different than the price you were charged in person.

There are a lot of scammers pretending to be locksmiths out there and they get an 800 number that claims they're right in your city but they arent, they roam around a much bigger area, usually in the phone book under AAAAAAAAAAA Locksmith or some name that gives them better placement.

Hoping you didn't pay more then $50 for them to come out and no more than $50 for them to drill the lock.

[lockpick771]

It was a legit seeming listing with online reviews and receipts and what not. But the guy basically called out some young dude in an unmarked vehicle. I was outside with no phone or anything and they charged $75. Unfortunately it was tell them no way and find a new locksmith at 5pm on a Sunday afternoon (again no phone) or pay it. After like 45 minutes of him obviously being unable to do it, he drills it. Sucks because now I have to fix it because they wanted even more money to fix it for me and I said no way.

So the unfortunate ripoff aside, now I just need to know how to get the lock out of the door so I can take it somewhere? Is there a way to remove the knob of a drilled lock?

Thanks.

[Squelchtone]

If we could see a photo of your lock/knob, from the outside and inside we can tell you which model it is and how it removes from the door. some of them have hidden screws under the rose/escutcheon that pops off first.

post photos to imgur.com or tinypic.com and copy/paste the links here.

if the kid tried for 45 mins, then you didnt get scammed, normally they look at the lock and say nope cant pick it and then you start dishing out $300 for a new replacement knob that they bought for $15 bucks at home depot. I'd say $75 on a Sunday afternoon for a lock out involving drilling is going to be a normal national average price. I'll let some of our members who are actual locksmiths chime in as well with their opinions.

looking forward to your photos,
Squelchtone

[Robotnik]

In lieu of pics, I'd agree with Jeff - take it to a locksmith, particularly if you've never rekeyed locks before. Depending on the skill of the person drilling it out, there may have been some damage done to the cylinder shell or tailpiece that (if you don't know what to look for) may not be immediately apparent. Ideally though you'll be able to get away with just replacing the plug, provided it was drilled correctly.

If you're set on doing it yourself, you'll need a lock plug of the correct type, as well as pins that correspond to your key cuts. Since the plug is drilled, it should turn without the key; the whole deal about needing the key for disassembly is simply that the plug needs to be turned (in the unlocked position) for removal.

Another option - depending on how common and affordable your hardware is - is to purchase another knobset from a hardware store like Home Depot; believe they'll pin these to your existing key free (or at low cost) with purchase.

[lockpick771]

Hi All -

Thank you very much for your replies. Yeah, I just felt like the kid was a little new. He was legitimately trying though. He even said, "hey, I might have to drill it but let me just try for another 5 minutes" and continued doing so. Regardless, that is what is and in all reality I have no clue I am not a locksmith.

So I figured out how to remove the knob. There were screws on the inside and the whole thing comes apart. I figure I can just take the thing down to Home Depot. There is a knob there for $28 and I believe they will key it to my key at the store. I thought about getting one of those pin kits, but they are $75-$100 and I would have to spend time I don't have learning how to do it. New knob seems easier.

Again, thank you all for the help.

[kwoswalt99-]

If it's this one you could even rekey it yourself. Why does no one use this smiley?

[Robotnik]

He even said, "hey, I might have to drill it but let me just try for another 5 minutes" and continued doing so.

Definitely sounds like someone giving it their all. If he was trying to hustle you, these words never would have been spoken .

Good luck; hope the replacement goes smoothly.

[femurat]

If it's this one you could even rekey it yourself. Why does no one use this smiley?

That lock is known to cease to work shortly after you've installed it, and it's not strong against forced entry. I wouldn't use it for my home.

Cheers