schalge help

[Rodfather23]

So I bought that schalge deadbolt for $12 at lowes yesterday. I picked it open a few times, but I can't really feel the pin binding. The spring tension is really tight. I do not know if thats just how schlages are or if its just because its new. I left it over night with the keys in each cylinder to try and loosen them up. I probably need to go ahead and take them apart and do the excercise with starting with 1 pin and then moving up. So far I've only been trying each pin in different combos till it opens up.

I've never repinned a lock before so....is there anything special about the schlage I need to know before attempting this? I did a search and read about the back screw on cap and the pin holding it.

Also, I tried to unscrew the screw holding the cylinder in the lock and I can't get it to budge....is this normal on a new lock also?.........Should I spray WD-40 on it to try and loosen it? Hope I dont' have to get a bump screwdriver to get it open.

[freakparade3]

Their is no trick to repinning a Schlage. it's the same as others. As for the screw holding holding the cylinder, I have never has one that did not screw out easily.

[Gordon Airporte]

Also, I tried to unscrew the screw holding the cylinder in the lock and I can't get it to budge....is this normal on a new lock also?.........Should I spray WD-40 on it to try and loosen it? Hope I dont' have to get a bump screwdriver to get it open.

In case anyone else reading this needs some help too - you have to depress the little button looking thing on the back while you unscrew the knurled cap. I use the short blade on one of my wrenches, or you could use a pick to hold it in. Then you have to be very careful not to lose that pin or the tiny spring under it.

[Rodfather23]

ok so I have the key cylinder out now...........Now how do I remove the metal strip that holds the pin stacks and springs inside the cylinder?

[Rodfather23]

ok so I have the key cylinder out now...........Now how do I remove the metal strip that holds the pin stacks and springs inside the cylinder?

Is the site running horribly slow for anyone else??

[freakparade3]

Gordon, I believe he meant the screw holding the cylinder into the lock housing. Not the little pin at the back of the cylinder. Rodfather, you do not want to take the spring cap off the top on cylinder. You need to use a plug follower and remove the plug. The spring cap will not go back on if you take it off.

[Rodfather23]

Gordon, I believe he meant the screw holding the cylinder into the lock housing. Not the little pin at the back of the cylinder. Rodfather, you do not want to take the spring cap off the top on cylinder. You need to use a plug follower and remove the plug. The spring cap will not go back on if you take it off.

Ok...but if I use a plug follower I will just be able to take out the bottom pins or am I wrong here?.......I want to remove all the pin stacks except one to practice on.

How do I get them out ?

[freakparade3]

The plug follower will trap the top pins in place. Then you simply pull the follower out of the plug slowly and the pins and springs will fall out. Make sure you keep a finger over the open end of the cylinder or the springs will fly out. Then you can load the spring and top pin into the chamber you want and cover it with your follower then put the coresponding bottom pin into the plug. Insert the plug into the cylinder and push the follower out. It is important to make sure that you have the cylinder turned a little or the top pin will fall into the first chamber of the plug.When the plug it all the way inserted into the chamber turn it and it will lock like usual, but with only one pin stack in place.

[freakparade3]

This link will help you alot. viewtopic.php?t=10505

[Rodfather23]

thank you so much for your help here lately freak!!




I understand now.......I had found that page earlier tonight while searching, but I thought that was for a lock that didn't have the metal strip on the top like mine does (I read somewhere once someone took the strip off) but now I'll have no probs.


Thanks again,

Rodfather

[freakparade3]

No problem man, I'm here to help. On some locks the cap over the pins is removeable. On Schlage locks it is not, at least the ones I have come across so far. By the way, the site is running slow for me too.

[raimundo]

what freek means by turned a little is anywhere from 90 to almost 180 degrees, that is from about three oclock to 5. don't go all the way to 6 oclock or you may have problems with the follower. if you just turn a little bit to say one oclock, you could have a slip that would relock the plug if there is an empty sixth pin chamber. the key will set the shear so the follower can push it out, and if you have any problems, you will want to learn about shims and such. you can get usable shims from those rectangular anti shoplifting tags on CD's and stuff. not the paper ones with the the coils on them the rectangular plastic capsules

[Rodfather23]

thanks again for the help guys



I did it all right twice and then when I was undoing it to but the cylinder back to 5 pins I made the mistake of not rotating the cylinder when I removed the plug. One of the top pins and spring shot into the plug. I had to break the spring to remove it. (a learned lesson) So now the plug has only 4 of the 5 pins in it. Untill I can get another spring for the number 5 pin. I guess it could've been worse and been 4 springs I had to break.

[freakparade3]

That happens to everyone at least once

[Eyes_Only]

Just wait till you get to re-pinning a Medeco M3. Has three small springs for the slider and sidebar. If your home is carpeted and you lose one of those tiny springs you're in deep trouble.