Pin Kits - what to buy?

[vitti]

Most of the locks I have are kwiksets. I can pick pretty much all of them with ease now. I want to re-pin them all and was considering ordering a pin kit but before I do I wanted to know what to consider a fair price. I have found some pretty drastic price difference on what appear to be otherwise similar kits.

In the locksmithing world, like most others, is there a brand name that is more expensive simply because of the name on the box? Is there a quality difference between brands that would be noticeable in picking them?

I've looked at the sets on lockpickshop.com and they seem to be a lot more expensive than this site I found: http://ebuilderdirect.com/kwiksetrekey.html

If I'm reading the descriptions on both sites correctly then the lockpickshop price is roughly double as you get twice as much for less at the other place. I'm hoping there's a good reason like brand superiority.

[bumber]

I would have to say its just about the name, I mean it could be different from pin to pin, because te metal may have different make-ups but I would have to say they are all the same. Now if you dont pick your locks 100 times in a row and you aren't scrubbing and raking the pins to death they should last for a while.

You can also get a bunch of pin setups with the pins already in the lock, but they do wear out and security pins are a good way to learn.(if you get a set with them)

[vitti]

That's what I figured but wasn't sure. I want the pin kit because, as you said, the pins do wear out. Some of these locks were my beginners locks and they saw some abuse with excess tension. Also, I have lost a couple of springs and pins. I figure for the money I'd be good to go for quite some time.

[bumber]

have you found a kit that comes with springs too or are you goning to buy a pack of springs seperate?

Which kit are you planning to buy? When I do buy a kit Im goning to buy the toolbox stlye kit so they have somewhere to go...unless I happen to find a box that will hold them for cheaper.

[vitti]

since I mostly have kwikset locks I'll probably just buy a kwikset kit instead of a universal or combo kit. The one i am looking at is $59.99 and comes with:

bottom pins 1-6 (each 200 Piece)
master pins 1- 6(each 200 PC)
top pins(200PC)
plug clip(50 PC)
pin spring(100PC)
deadbolt Spring(100 PC)
pin cover(50 PC)
CK ball(200 PC)
cap removal tool
follower bar
key gauge
KIK plug removal tool
pin tweezers
and a plastic box to store it all in

btw... what is "CK Ball"?

[bumber]

this is about all i could find through goolge, as Ive never heard of it either

"Product Description- 5-pin re-keyable, Kwikset Keyway, Specialty keying - construction (ck) or master keying (mk) available, Fits doors 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" thick, 1/4" radius corner adjustable 2-3/8" to 2-3/4" backset mortise latch."

So maby its the ball bearing that goes in the pin stack to thwart our attempts at opening it.

[bobby10432002]

You are right, Construction Keying uses small ball bearings, usually 3 in a pin stack, that will allow the door to be used temporarily by a certian key. When the key is not needed anymore, as in with a contractor, the owner can insert the control key and cause the CK balls to fall into the smaller holes in the plug. This then locks the other key out.

There is a picture here on page 7

It is called protecto keying on there

[vrocco]

One thing I have noticed about universal kits (LAB in particular) is that the majority of the cost seems to be in the box.

You buy the whole kit with the metal case for ~$250

The refill kit to fill the box back up is usually about $80

If you can buy a tackle box or something with a bunch of spaces and print your own D/S charts for different locks, you could save quite a bit of money.

[Eyes_Only]

I would go with a LAB universal kit like the one here, http://www.lockpicks.com/ProductImages/lpk-400.jpg .

This is the kit I have I think and it covers most of the US made locks you'll encounter. But if you tend to do a lot of Kwikset then I would buy a Kwikset specific set cos the bottom pins on those locks are flat and wide compared to most others. .003 is more flexible than the .005 but if you're not always trying to fit a worn key to a lock a .005 should be ok but on lockpicks.com the .003 and .005 is apperantly the same price so it's up to you.

Or you could try to buy individual pin packs on eBay. I've never bought them myself but worth a try if you're willing to take a little risk.

[freakparade3]

www.clksupplies.com has good deals on pins. They even have packs of spools. A big difference is I don't think many locksmiths would use a universal kit. I may be wrong, but if I was paying a professional to rekey a lock I would expect brand specific products.

[HeadHunterCEO]

www.clksupplies.com has good deals on pins. They even have packs of spools. A big difference is I don't think many locksmiths would use a universal kit. I may be wrong, but if I was paying a professional to rekey a lock I would expect brand specific products.

you would most likely get lab pins out of a universal lab kit unless you had something special.most us lockies carry a large lab uni kit because you cxan rekey a large range of manufacturers and lock types.

[linty]

I would just ask a locksmith for a handful of pins if I were you. We generally dump the pins out when we rekey locks even if they are brand new, and for convenience sake will often dump them into a little box or container instead of going to the garbage every time.

You don't need kwikset pins unless you are planning to key the lock up to a kwikset key. For picking purposes any standard pins will do.

[freakparade3]

www.clksupplies.com has good deals on pins. They even have packs of spools. A big difference is I don't think many locksmiths would use a universal kit. I may be wrong, but if I was paying a professional to rekey a lock I would expect brand specific products.

you would most likely get lab pins out of a universal lab kit unless you had something special.most us lockies carry a large lab uni kit because you cxan rekey a large range of manufacturers and lock types.

Mabye it's just me them, my customers get brand specifis pins.

[Abus]

For what you need, I'd second the suggestion that you talk to a locksmith, contractor, or hardware store and see if you can have a few pins. I used to buy small numbers of pins, and even odd items like SFIC caps and medeco pins from locksmiths.

If the locksmith isn't friendly, try another one, or better yet, find a hardware store that rekeys locks (just call and ask). A hardware store that rekeys probably just throws their pins in the box that holds their key duplicator shavings and screwed up key copies, and will let you have all you want.

I've personally had way better luck buying uncut key blanks from the hardware store than from locksmiths, but that was dealing with small minded folks that were shocked that I wanted to impression something.

[selim]

I would get a .03 pinning kit. You won't be dealing with Quickset's much longer will you?
I believe in brand specific pins,but onley if you have a universil (?) kit,that will do most cylinder's. Even when you get worn key's,and pin's,the brand named pinning kit just won't work,you need finer increment's.

Tom