Is Picking a Schlage +System Similar to

[billdeserthills]

The Kwikset Smartkey lock? I have picked two dif schlage + locks, one on a saturn lever and a deadbolt cylinder, but I haven't tried to pick a kwikset smartkey lock yet. I ordered one today to try on, anyone know if it's OK for me to use my pick gun? I don't wanna mess up my practice lock

I hope you don't find this advanced, lotsa pages already about this type topic, I think

I got called out to pick a dual-cylinder smartkey deadbolt but I said no after learning the only key was locked in her car locked in at the mechanic's. I thought I would just buy the tool from my distributor but the usa made tool has been out of production since december...I suppose that means that kwikset may have finally perfected their dastardly plan.

[GWiens2001]

Do not waste your time with a pick gun on a SmartKey. Pick guns are for pin tumbler locks, and a SmartKey is not a pin tumbler lock. It will not work, and considering the numerous small parts in the lock, will very likely damage the lock in short order.

Gordon

[FarmerFreak]

Schlage securekey locks were complete crap. Picking them is significantly easier than a smartkey lock. Not many securekey locks are still out in the wild either as most of them have already failed.

Most locksmiths will destroy a smartkey lock when locked out. Some locksmiths have the tools and ability to decode a smartkey lock, then cut a key, when locked out.

Picking a smartkey lock isn't easy, reliable, or very practical most of the time. That's been my experience.

[billdeserthills]

I would have been happy to cut the head off a blank key and pound it into the lock with a screwdriver, as seen on youtube, however the keys were not inside the apartment & the client didn't want the lock destroyed. I need to find a way to resolve this issue as it will only happen more and more as time goes by...

[1mrchristopher]

I am aware of one company that manufactures and sells a smartkey decoder... for over $300.00. I have to say that I really really wanted one until I saw the price.

[billdeserthills]

I am aware of one company that manufactures and sells a smartkey decoder... for over $300.00. I have to say that I really really wanted one until I saw the price.

I hear you 1mrchristopher, I'm not that interested in saving my clients lock

[FarmerFreak]

I am aware of one company that manufactures and sells a smartkey decoder... for over $300.00. I have to say that I really really wanted one until I saw the price.

I hear you 1mrchristopher, I'm not that interested in saving my clients lock

It's that kind of attitude that will lose a lot of referrals. It isn't that the lock isn't a piece of junk to begin with. It has more to do with looking professional. Do you really want to hear a customer say "The last locksmith didn't have to destroy it."

Still, each locksmith needs to make their own decisions on how they want to get work done and which tools to invest in.

[billdeserthills]

I am aware of one company that manufactures and sells a smartkey decoder... for over $300.00. I have to say that I really really wanted one until I saw the price.

I hear you 1mrchristopher, I'm not that interested in saving my clients lock

It's that kind of attitude that will lose a lot of referrals. It isn't that the lock isn't a piece of junk to begin with. It has more to do with looking professional. Do you really want to hear a customer say "The last locksmith didn't have to destroy it."

Still, each locksmith needs to make their own decisions on how they want to get work done and which tools to invest in.

Come on man, I called Major to buy their tool, I don't mind spending $100+, but there is no way I'm spending $300 on a tool that only opens one manufacturers lock & I guarantee that nobody else will either.

Also the cute lil' girl who wanted her lock opened never said "The last locky didn't hafta drill my lock" What she said was "I don't want you to destroy my landlord's lock" I charged her Zero dollars as I had done zero work and here I'm looking for a solution, not some negative BS

Even 1mrchristopher doesn't have $300 worth of interest in buying a smartkey decoder tool, does that show that he has no wish to continue looking professional?

[FarmerFreak]

Come on man, I called Major to buy their tool, I don't mind spending $100+, but there is no way I'm spending $300 on a tool that only opens one manufacturers lock & I guarantee that nobody else will either.

I'm not trying to start an argument with you.

The Major tools that costs $100+ does destroy locks when used. The tool itself can break when used because kwikset beefed up their locks. The $300 decoder doesn't destroy locks when used. Both tools only work on the smartkey lock.

As I've already said

each locksmith needs to make their own decisions on how they want to get work done and which tools to invest in.

You didn't charge the cute girl anything and you didn't break her lock. No harm no foul. It's all good. Right now there is only one tool that I know of on the market that would have allowed you to do that job. It's your decision if you want to make the investment for that tool, not my decision.

I see this no differently than any other locksmith tool, automotive key programmers come to mind. You either invest and have the tools and capabilities to do a specific job, or you don't.

[billdeserthills]

Only other tool I know of is from canada and it works like the Major tool which was discontinued last year. I e-mailed major and they have no intention of making it again. Why not quit goofing & tell me the tool you know about?

[1mrchristopher]

PMed you Bill. I don't see the smartkey going away any time soon, and in the long run the tool may well both save and make me money. I haven't drilled one yet, but my understanding is that it's pretty common to break a bit or two doing so, and it takes more time. Sure I get to sell a lock, but now, in their mind I've ruined their day instead of saving it. Fortunately I've only come up against two smartkey locks so far. The first one was at a trailer home with an open window. I popped the screen out and the guy who lived there climbed in and then happily paid me what was quoted on the phone, as I'd had to drive 20 minutes to get there, I didn't argue. I also put his screen back in behind him, after all, I am a professional. The second was a lever, and that's all I'll say about it here. Hit me up though if you want the rest of the story.

[billdeserthills]

PMed you Bill. I don't see the smartkey going away any time soon, and in the long run the tool may well both save and make me money. I haven't drilled one yet, but my understanding is that it's pretty common to break a bit or two doing so, and it takes more time. Sure I get to sell a lock, but now, in their mind I've ruined their day instead of saving it. Fortunately I've only come up against two smartkey locks so far. The first one was at a trailer home with an open window. I popped the screen out and the guy who lived there climbed in and then happily paid me what was quoted on the phone, as I'd had to drive 20 minutes to get there, I didn't argue. I also put his screen back in behind him, after all, I am a professional. The second was a lever, and that's all I'll say about it here. Hit me up though if you want the rest of the story.

I have a new smartkey lock on its way to my shop, to work out an entry method. Worst case is I'll take a blank key and give it a bash along with a big screwdriver like I saw on youtube. I don't like drilling out a lock either, it looks like something a client can do themselves and I prefer to look more like a magician than a mechanic-No offense Gordon, my Dad is a mechanic from way back.
The magically expensive $300 decoder tool just looks too expensive & flimsy to survive long in my van. I almost prefer to use try-out keys, but any tow-truck driver can do that-no offense to tow truck drivers, but again, I prefer to look more like a magic man than that.
1mrchristopher I will assume you'd open a leverset the same way I would, with a little slip & slide (I hope that isn't Too advanced)

[1mrchristopher]

At least some generations allow you to remove the lever set screw...

[billdeserthills]

At least some generations allow you to remove the lever set screw...

Isn't that stupid! I sat down and typed a letter of indignation to kwikset when I first noticed that.
Then I tossed it in the trash, Idk what I was thinking, sending that letter could have been the one thing that saved black & decker from certain destruction! I sure don't wanna be responsible for helping those bastards out.