Re-keying some Schlage locks

[omatase]

I just bought a new home. My builder used Schlage locks everywhere and when I moved into my home my builder's key worked in the lock, but the keys they gave us did not. My builder then did something to the lock and then had us put our key in the lock and turn the key. It wouldn't turn at first so he had to bang on the lock a couple times, but then my key turned the lock and from that point on my key worked in it and theirs did not.

Since moving in I've bought several new locks for interior doors and made sure they matched the other Schlage locks the builder used exactly. Each time we bought a new lock, we of course got a new key as well. We'd now like to make all these new locks work using the same key but I'm not sure how to do that. Here's a link to the lock that we bought. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XEIJ2G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've done some research on my own and mostly have found kits to swap out pins on the lock manually. Since our builder was able to swap the key much easier (I've also seen someone at Home Depot do this) I was hoping it would be something we could do more easily.

I really appreciate anyone taking the time to help on this!

[femurat]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

What the builder did was to set the locks to a previously set key, yours. This can be done only once and changes the lock setup to a predetermined and specific key, doesn't rekey it to a new random one.

Now the easiest thing to do is going to a locksmith shop with the new lock, its working key and the new key you want to use with it. Ask him to rekey the lock to match the new key.

Next time you can buy the locks already keyed to a specific key, yours.
You could buy a kit and learn how to do it yourself, but for just one single home is overkill IMHO.

Good luck

[omatase]

Thank you for the info, it was really useful.

Out of curiosity, why can the lock only be set to a previous key once?

Also, if I wanted to buy a lock in the future set to a specific key, how do I do that?

Thanks again femurat!

[GWiens2001]

Thank you for the info, it was really useful.

Out of curiosity, why can the lock only be set to a previous key once?

Also, if I wanted to buy a lock in the future set to a specific key, how do I do that?

Thanks again femurat!

It is called a construction keying. It has to do with using tiny ball bearings and small holes drilled in the plug to remove the balls to block the construction key from working.

Gordon

[cledry]

Actually all the homes in the neighborhood that the builder built can be opened with a set of 5 keys. I could take your lock apart and determine how to cut these 5 keys, and so can anyone with access to one of these locks. You should get your home rekeyed including and especially the lock that was construction keyed.

[omatase]

Can anyone tell me how to buy a lock in the future set to a specific key?

[billdeserthills]

Can anyone tell me how to buy a lock in the future set to a specific key?

Most home stores will rekey the lock you buy from them, to the key you want. Or you could give rekeying your own lock a try, with the Prime-Line E-2402 Rekeying kit, which is sold at Amazon as well. Thing with the kit is you only get enough new tumblers to rekey 6 locks, so after that you'll need to see a locksmith. Oftentimes my customers will just bring their new lock to my shop & save the service call fee. I charge $8.50 to rekey a pin tumbler lock

[peterwn]

Actually all the homes in the neighborhood that the builder built can be opened with a set of 5 keys. I could take your lock apart and determine how to cut these 5 keys, and so can anyone with access to one of these locks. You should get your home rekeyed including and especially the lock that was construction keyed.

Presumably the five keys are similar to the construction key but take account that the ball bearing has been trapped and lost. I also read somewhere that there may be in some cases a variant construction key that will continue to work once the regular construction key has been disabled and that finishing tradespeople may have these keys to enter properties to do any needed remedial work.
What is surprising is that in a litigatous country like USA there do not appear to have been lawsuits against builders following abuse of construction keys or variants if thefts, rapes etc have occurred. That could make it attractive for insurers to force builders to stop using construction keyed cylinders and instead to use IC cylinders or locks with euro cylinders since cylinders can be easily changed (with euro cylinders especially if the head of the setscrew is exposed and not covered by the end plate or whatever it is called).