Putting spools in a Kwikset (A pictorial guide by Lockedin)

[lockedin]

I've heard a lot of newbs asking what is the next step after conquering Kwiksets. This is an inexpensive way to tackle something slightly harder without buying a new lock. This may also work for a lot of Kwikset knockoffs where the spring cover is not welded on.
First, here's what you'll need:

1. A plastic ziplock bag, a flathead screw driver, and of course spool pins.

2. Put the key in and turn it to the side, this is to prevent the bottom pins from falling out along with the top pins when you take them out. It should remain in this position until you are completely done.

3. Put the cylinder in a ziplock bag and remove the spring cover using the flathead. The use of the ziplock bag is to prevent you from losing springs or pins in case something flies out (it is not an original idea of mine).

4. If you are careful or sufficiently experienced this should be the result after removing the spring cover.

5. Turn the cylinder over to spill out the springs and top pins.

6. Replace the regular top pins with spools. In this case I am putting them in positions 2,3, and 4.

7. Put them back in along with the springs.

8. After the top pins and springs are in place, put the spring cover back on. It is a thin and malleable piece of metal and should snap back on with a little force.

9. The cylinder is now ready for practice or to be re-installed.

Where to buy spool pins? There are many places, but here's where I bought mine: http://clksupplies.com/shop/index.php?cPath=22_35_53

Good luck,
Lockedin

[Shrub]

Just be sure to use the correct diameter pins or it can give you false feedback which you learn and its hard to get out of,

[Krypos]

very nice little mini-guide lockedin. now if only the "new users" would take the time to search for a minute and find all the useful guides like this.


**sigh**

[sams choice]

haha i like the plastic bag trick. For some reason i never thought of doing that. I always try to shim it and like springs go flying everywhere!

Nice guide lockedin

[lockedin]

haha i like the plastic bag trick. For some reason i never thought of doing that.

Neither did I! I actually learned that on this site, can't remember who posted it though. Whoever thought of it is a genius. Thanks for your comments.

[hesevil]

As one of the newbs who mastered Kwiksets and was looking for something else to do, I did exactly this. You can study the feedback of the spools easier because you know which location they're in. After a while, I got my fiancee to re-pin them for me so that I couldn't 'predict' how to pick the lock.

On a side-note, for my spools, I went to a local locksmith shop and he gave me the hookup. I would suggest to others that they try this because locksmiths will know what size pin you will need for your lock (in case you either can't, or are too lazy to, measure them yourself)... not to mention he gave them to me for free, which is pretty hard to beat.

[Eyes_Only]

I recommend all who are new to lockpicking who wants to learn how to bypass security pins by first loading up a Kwikset with them instead of tackling a Schlage, Brinks, Abus Buffo, etc. The tolerances of the kwikset are so sloppy that it makes it easier to learn on them then many other locks out there in the market, and I speak from personal experience.

[Legion303]

I thought of the bag idea, too...about 5 seconds after springs and pins went flying around my office, and in the form of "hmmm...I should have stuck my hands in a bag or something before I pulled that plug out."

As for security pins: nice. This might also be a good prank to pull on your local locksmith if you have money to burn. Put serrated pins in all positions on a cheap Kwikset and set up a lockout call.

-steve

[Eyes_Only]

It might backfire on you when the locksmith tells you that this is a high security version of the lock and that the only way to solve the problem is to drill out the lock and make you buy a replacement.

[danceswithpins]

Why are the spriings different when he opened up the original configuration??

dnaceswithpins

[UWSDWF]

I would think he's repinned this lock before and had to replace a couple of springs

[danceswithpins]

Will having different springs effect the squishiness of the particular pin verses another pin, making it harder to sense what is happening in the lock??

[Jaakko]

It has an effect to the feel but it doesn't get you "blind" to the lock. Sometimes while practicing, the different springs acts little like repinning to a different depths and I've found it very useful

[danceswithpins]

Thanks for the input. This is just where I am at in my learning of lockpicking. I have been spending a couple hours most days reading and picking, and I cann't believe all that I have learned in regards to both.

Got to get some security pins now!

Thanks again.
danceswithpins