Schlage Locks Question

[saltfwa]

I've got a lock I'm trying to get to work. The key fits but I had to sand it down to make it thinner. The key I have it on is an SC4 and it has 6 pins. It is longer than the SC1 that has 5 pins. I know Schlage makes an SC8, 9 19, and 20. I need one that has 6 pins but is just thinner along the length of the key. My lock is indeed a Schlage lock. Does anyone know if the SC8, 9, 19, or 20 are skinnier in thickness along the length of the key? Thanks!

[billdeserthills]

Those other schlage blanks you mentioned are the same thickness, they just have different millings
sometimes the silver key blanks are a bit thicker because they have too much nickel plating

[saltfwa]

The difference in the profile thickness is quite significant, and the key looks like a brass/gold color, so it does not have the nickel plating.

[ltdbjd]

1st question I think of is why you are trying to get into a lock at work, and why don't you have the correct key. We always wonder about that when people are trying to get into a lock at work but don't have the correct key.

Second question is whether or not you have had the key duplicated recently? That could be the issue.

Schlage makes a large variety of keyways. You have to know what keyway you have to find the correct blank. Schlage does make thinner keys - but these are typically thinner in the warding (the "zig-zag" part, not the top of the blade where the cuts are. They are usually the same on the bottom in most cases. G, K and L keyways are an exception.

These keys are typically used in master keying very large projects. Typically, the H, J, and K are used as master keys, when you are using multiple Schage keyways in your system. You can then build upon that system by using an L keyway as your grandmaster, because the 1145L/A1145L will fit all Schlage keyways.

The 8/9 you mentioned is an E keyway (aka 1145E or A1145E). It will only fit in an E cylinder. I'd be surprised if your system uses an SC20. If you are going to use the key frequently, you really need to find the correct keyway. Trying to use submasters, masters and grandmasters from senior keyways is sloppy, can result in premature wear, and it's easier to bend or break them.

I have to leave for work, so unless somebody beats me to it during the day, I can provide you the link to the Ilco key manual tonight, which will show you the profile of the keyways.

[billdeserthills]

The difference in the profile thickness is quite significant, and the key looks like a brass/gold color, so it does not have the nickel plating.

The SC-20 you mentioned is a 6-pin key and it is thinner, it was originally designed to fit into many other schlage keyways

[Davis]

Following up on what bill and Itdbjd were saying, you can view the PDF version of the Ilco Key Blank Directory at http://www.imlss.com/images/pdf/KBD12.pdf. The family of common Schlage keyways is on page 233. You can compare the profile of the keyways to the lock. Hope that helps you out.

Seeing the keyways in a pyramid-type chart (like the Ilco book or similar) and comparing the higher level keys to the lower really helps to understand how multiplex key systems work.

[saltfwa]

Ok thanks for the replies! If I can get this to work than I can actually use it and not spend however god much it costs to buy a lock from the big box stores.

[ltdbjd]

I'd suggest you take the lock off and bring it to a locksmith to get the correct key. A hardware store won't be able to help you. I'm guessing you got into this position because somebody took the key to a hardware store to get duplicated. They looked at it, saw that it was a Schlage, and duplicated it on a standard C blank. I don't think I've been to a hardware/big bos store that had anything other than C''s and E's.

[saltfwa]

I think I will do that. Thank you!