A couple of questions

[frozt]

Hello all, I have a few quick questions:

1) What makes it hard to pull a key out of a lock(even with the correct key)? Lack of grease or what?

2) Have any of you ever asked the guy at the hardware store key counter for some of the key pins/driver pins/springs? Is it legal for them to give those to you and do any stores actually allow you to purchase those?

[Eyes_Only]

A proper key should not be difficult to pull out under normal conditions. Something might have gotten into the keyway and is causing to pins to jam up. Or something may be wrong with your key. Take a close look at it. Does it have any burrs on the edges or anything like that?

And for your second question, no it is not illegal for the counter people at hardware stores to sell you pins and springs. The only problem with that is if you ask any of the "trained employees" and "specialists", they will give you a blank look and direct you to the aisle where they sell nails or cotter pins. I don't know of any hardware store that carries a stock of spare lock parts for sale. The closest you can get to buying pins and springs for locks are these things, http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... tegory=246 . But from my own experience with these is that they are not the proper size pins for the given lock they are labeled for. But they give you many sizes so if you buy the ones for every lock they make the kits for you'll get lucky and find the right size eventually. Otherwise I would just spring for a full size pinning kit sold at lockpicks.com or other similar internet sites.

[2octops]

If the key is on good condition, there could be an issue with the retainer on the rear of the cylinder causing the plug to shift outward while removing the key.

Try pushing in on the plug while removing the key. If that solves the problem, you have a loose or worn retainer.

As far as the store giving you pins.... It depends on the store. Technically, I would say that it could be considered as the employee stealing from the company, just like taking home an ink pen or paperclips.

However, there is no laws against anyone purchasing or possessing pins.

[Chucklz]

Have you rekeyed recently? Schlage deadbolt? These locks have a screw on retainer. If it is too loose, it will be difficult to remove the key. Diagnostic, push the plug in with one hand while attempting to remove the key with the other. If it removes easily, you have to tighten the retainer.

[Schuyler]

Is it a wafer lock? Many of them have a notoriously rough feeling to them.

[Shrub]

Sounds to me like youve been playing with locks in use?

Either way if youve been playing with it thats why the key no longer works, youve somehow bent or broken somthing inside with the most likely being that youve been useing somthing rough and have burred up the edges of the pin chambers making it hard for the pins to move freely in the lock, this would also show the key to be harder to push in as well,

[DaveAG]

If it is only tight when pulling the key out, not when putting it in or turning, then as 2octops said, its probably the retainer.

As I'm sure you know, in a pin tumbler when the pins are at the correct height there is nothing stopping the plug from moving around, so a plate, or clip must be put on the back to stop the plug from coming straight out of the shell.

If this is loose, then as you pull on the key, the plug slips forward, and the pins no longer line up quite right with the holes, meaning it is stiff or impossible to get the pins to ride up and down in their holes as the key is withdrawn.

You can test to see if this is the case by placing one finger on the front of the plug to prevent any motion forwards and backwards, and if the key withdraws smoothley, it is almost certainly the retainer.

[jimmysmith]

about the key not coming out.....
it could be that retainer on the back of the lock.... how you can tel if thats the problem.. out your finger on the keyway and push it tord the lock... and while doing so then try to pull out the key... if it comes out easy after holding the keyway torn the back of the lock then you need to make a few ajustments. nothing serious...

unless the key was cut drapy... the back cuts to steep... it could make for a jamed up key..

[frozt]

Dunno, the plug doesn't look like it pulls out too much when i pull the key out, and it's just as hard putting it in as it is getting it out. Could it be that the pins are worn or something(Although this is a new lock)?

[Schuyler]

Dunno, the plug doesn't look like it pulls out too much when i pull the key out, and it's just as hard putting it in as it is getting it out. Could it be that the pins are worn or something(Although this is a new lock)?

pictures?

[cjames73]

could be something stuck in one of the chambers causing a pin to get stuck.
try pushing the pins down one at a time to see if any stick.
if it does stick, rap the lock a few times on a piece of softwood on the side opposite the pins. that should free the pin.

[Shrub]

Please re-read my post as it sounds like i ewas right and now cjames has also said the same thing,

Click my www button and strip the lock useing the guide on there,

Its the only way you or us are gogin to know whats what,

[frozt]

Yeah, that's pretty likely, but in case there are any misconceptions, the lock DOES work, it's my house lock, which I haven't messed with.

[cjames73]

what brand of lock is it?
did you try pushing the individual pins to see which is sticking?
also check the key doesn't have burrs on it, that'll make the key hard to use.

[jimb]

If it's not the retainer as has been suggested try replacing the driver pins with shorter pins.

I have re-keyed a couple of locks with factory keys and had this happen. After I put shorter driver pins in they were fine.

Not sure why it worked, had suspected that someone had replaced the driver pins with ones that were too long.