I need a locksmith.. HELP!

[jdohe]

I need a key made for a Defiant door lock (made for Home Depot).
The Key Alike code on the box is 004534
The code stamped on the key itself is 32654
The model number which probably isn't relevant is for a brass doorknob lock 154-733

This is for a bedroom door that never was locked before, but needs to be locked now, but the key is lost. I can't easily replace the lock because one-way screws were used to install it. I actually have two bedrooms with the same lock on it.

I live in zip code 33772. My local locksmiths seem to be all mobile operations meant for picking locks for auto and home lockouts. They all want a big fee for making a house call when all I need is a key cut from the codes I wrote down when I bought the lock. That seems silly to me since I doubt very much they would have the tools on them to make a key when they arrived at my house.

The key cutting people at Home Depot don't have the equiptment to make keys from codes for locks that are sold exclusively in their own stores (go figure! what is the point for having the stupid codes?)
The phone number on the box is 888-663-LOCK but the manufacturer of their locks basically told me to get lost.

I think the Defiant locks may be identical to the Kwikset locks which are also sold at Home Depot.

I expect that the key would have to be mailed since the local locksmiths are unable to make this key.

Assistance Please!

Surely there is some locksmith out there who can cut keys from codes for such a simple, cheap-o lock such as a Defiant.

[thelockpickkid]

Hey, I will cut a key to code for you, I live in Oregon, I will charge you a couple of dollars for shipping though, do you have a pay pal account? Tell me all your details, put that keycode in your response, and your address. Explain the situation to me and what your willing to pay + shipping. I will cut you as many keys as you want. [edit]

[thelockpickkid]

WOW, that post was a mistake, that was supposed to be a P.M. Mods, please remove!!

[Solomon]

That's a bit of a predicament you have there! My first instinct is to say get a new lock, cos it'll work out cheaper... except that you need to open the door before you can remove the original, so you'd still need a locksmith to come out and pick the cylinder to open it. Which would cost the same as the callout fee he'd charge to come and make you a key for it, so it's a bit of a catch 22.

You can't just mail off a code from a key and have a locksmith (or even the company themselves) to make a key for you. I'm sure you can appreciate that this kind of thing presents a security concern, after all anyone can get their hands on that code just by looking at it. Because of this, you unfortunately don't have much choice in the matter... either get a locksmith to make you a key, or depending on the door you could unhinge the entire thing so you can get the lock off and buy a replacement.

If you want someone here to cut you a key by code, it's a good idea for you to provide some form of proof that the lock belongs to you. It's standard stuff, so please don't take offense. The lock is on a door inside your house, so a quick photo of the lock along with your username and a timestamp on a piece of paper should suffice.

[thelockpickkid]

Your right on the money Solomon, I have a way to do it so that it realeases the liability off of me, pictures and what you mentioned would be part of the plan as well. I know what he's going through, Other locksmiths in my area wouldn't do this because they would just want to sell another lockset.

[Solomon]

Your right on the money Solomon, I have a way to do it so that it realeases the liability off of me, pictures and what you mentioned would be part of the plan as well. I know what he's going through, Other locksmiths in my area wouldn't do this because they would just want to sell another lockset.

That's a real shame. I guess everybody has bills to pay though.

[jdohe]

[quote="Solomon"] this kind of thing presents a security concern, after all anyone can get their hands on that code just by looking at it.
===============================================
Not really, nobody else would know the brand of lock by looking at it, the 5 digit code is stamped on the key, but the 6 digit "same as" code is only on the cardboard packing that the lock comes in.

I could provide a photo of the lock, but I don't see what that would accomplish.

[Squelchtone]

nobody else would know the brand of lock by looking at it, the 5 digit code is stamped on the key, but the 6 digit "same as" code is only on the cardboard packing that the lock comes in.

That 6 digit code on the white sticker on the top of the box is for the drones at Home Depot. The 5 digit code on the key is (99% of the time) the actual cut code of your lock. And believe me, not only can we tell the brand by looking at the key from 5 feet away, we can tell the cut depths pretty well also.

no really, I'm serious.
Squelchtone

[thelockpickkid]

Yep, he is right, I don't think I am going to involve myself in this, I would like to help but I rather work with somebody face to face, that way I know for exact sure that something bad isn't going down. Get a mobile locksmith to come out and he can do it very easy.

[Solomon]

Not really, nobody else would know the brand of lock by looking at it, the 5 digit code is stamped on the key, but the 6 digit "same as" code is only on the cardboard packing that the lock comes in.

I could provide a photo of the lock, but I don't see what that would accomplish.

It would show us that you are the true owner of the lock and not just some guy who wrote the code down. Believe me, people try this stuff a lot... it's for this exact reason that the company told you to get lost. They have no way to verify that the lock really belongs to you, it doesn't matter how many codes you have. So to answer your question, what it accomplishes is that it allows us to actually help you. You wouldn't feel too secure if just anybody could write down the code from your key and go have one made somewhere, would you?

And believe me, not only can we tell the brand by looking at the key from 5 feet away, we can tell the cut depths pretty well also.

no really, I'm serious.
Squelchtone

Serious indeed, we really can. You should be relieved that we're asking you these sorts of things, after all this is your own personal security we're dealing with. Some guy isn't just going to make you a key because you say you lost it but you happened to write the code down when you bought it. Surely you can understand why... after all, he would have no way of knowing what the lock is for, so he could potentially be making a key for someones property and not just a room inside it. We're just making sure you are who you say you are.

[jailersmith]

If the door is locked, call a locksmith. If the door is unlocked, get help to remove the one way screws, even if you have to drill them. Then remove lockset, take to locksmith get existing key code cut. Taking the lock to a locksmith is the least expensive way to resolve issue. If destroying the lock and buying new ones is cheaper still then you have been cost effective.

Free advise from a retired locksmith, Good Luck.

[unlisted]

Even more simple- drill the screws out (as someone already suggested) and just replace the whole lockset.


after finding someone to code cut, etc it will take considerably less time (and possibly money) just to buy two replacement locksets.

Also, who the heck would use one way screws for a lock on a bedroom door- inside a residential structure? Something don't smell right, and there ain't no poop on my shoes.

[Dulmit]

As has been said before, just replace the lockset.

Removing one-way screws is easy.

[jwhou]

Have you thought about rummaging through the shelves at home depot to see if there's another Defiant with the same key alike code? You could purchase that lock, duplicate the keys and return the lock for a refund.

Personally, I would dremel a slot into the screwheads (or use a screw extractor), unscrew it, re-key the lock and install with new screws.

[nostromo]

op- sounds lke you have a wonderful opportunity to learn how to impression a lock.

Say - is the lock designed to keep the occupants IN or intruders OUT? Enquiring minds want to know! Most internal residence doors do not have locks, except for maybe a privacy door to the potty.