top pins and bottom pins

[sugurfoot]

The fellow who trained me to re key showed me to use the pickle fork to remove the clip and then shim the cylinder. Well sometimes after replaceing everything and you try it you see you need to open the top pins and remove items like master key pins that change the depth of the top pin. Then you repeate everything, so I thought just start with removing the top pins and springs,dump it all out then remove the cylinder. Then put it all back together with new parts. After trying this I find I have better and smoother locks than before, and I even tried it without removing the c clip and tail or d shaft. Have I hit on something or is this just the wrong way to do it?
Also I notice top pin clasp's are changeing and they look hard or imposible to remove. are there any tools fot this or is the fork or screw driver still the best.
Thanks for your time.......

[Eyes_Only]

I think that is an acceptable way to do it if you prefer that method, especially on a lock like a Kwikset.

I normally don't do it that way at work unless I really screw up and have no choice cos I don't like to take the risk of possibly weakening the cap on these locks but for a hobbyist I see no objections.

[sugurfoot]

Thanks, I just thought because I was getting smoother locks by replacing top pins as well that I hit on something. I see your point about weakening the cap and that was why I asked if there was a tool to crimp this tight again after removal? I do see a lot of small pins in the top mixed with the regular as if it was a master key set up or that the old pins are dry or sticky and a cleaning and replacing with new was the way to go. Because I have only seen one person doing this I wanted to see other views.

Thanks for your kind responce.

[Schuyler]

Just use a plug follower, some tweezers and search for "repinning" around here, or read the stickies, should be some good info in there on a more reliable method of repinning locks.

[Eyes_Only]

zeke made a really helpful video about loading the top pins in a lock housing with a plug follower and tweezer. This is the method most of us like to use. I think the video is a sticky on this part of the forum.

[digital_blue]

I *hate* removing that silly little strip from the top of a Kwikset. It never comes off nicely for me, and t'heck if I can get it to go back on nicely.

But maybe that's just me.

I'd sooner just pull the cylinder out. My hunch is that just changing the bottom pins alone will make for a smoother operating lock, since old bottom pins are apt to wear a bit and, thus, get just a little shorter.

But hey... if it works for you, there's no real harm in doing it the way you have.. so long as you can get that cap back on and tight. If it's loose, you're asking for troubles.

db

[Eyes_Only]

You could always just pinch the tabs on the sides of the cap with a plier to try to make sure it won't pop out.

[zeke79]

On kwiksets I simply pull the cap and replace all pins if someone is paying for a repin job. This way I dont have to worry about if the right top pins are installed for the new bottom pins I just put in. I have not had any problems with caps coming off so far but it is possible. I do however pinch the cap tighter when it is off for the rekey job.

As far as why you are getting smoother operating locks when replacing top pins, it could be a few factors. One being that all of the new pins are clean, not all gummed up which allows for a smoother action. In my opinion, while repinning one should attempt to clean the lock up a bit while it is apart.