Schlage Plug Removal

[Bill R. 22]

Can anyone help me on this? I've repinned a number of different deadbolts (mostly Kwikset), but have run into a problem with the Schlage B360N deadbolt. Someone told me you had to push in the round pin before turning the knurled cap. I thought he pin he was talking about was the large round pin. It was only after I twisted off the cap that I saw a second round pin protruding through the top of the plug cap. Too late. It was necessary to use a lot of force and I had bent it. What is the proper way to do this? Holding the small pin in while twisting the knurled cap is extremely difficult because I need one hand to use a screwdriver tip to keep the pin from protruding above the cap, another to fit a pair of pliers around the cap, and a third hand to hold the cylinder. I only have two hands? Am I doing it wrong? Any help on this will be greatly appreciated.

[Eyes_Only]

Normally a tool like this http://www.lockpicks.com/index.asp?Page ... ProdID=351 is used by a lot of people to make things easier but what you can also do is place the cylinder in a vise and push down on the retaining pin with a sharp tool and unthread the cap off.

[vitti]

The cap usually isn't more than finger tight so no tools should be necessary. I prefer to use a hook pick to hold the pin down while turning the cap. I hold the cylinder in my palm, grasping the cap with my thumb and index finger. I use the hook pick to push the pin all the way down into it's hole so that the pick wont slip off the pin. Don't worry about crushing the spring on this pin, as long as it pushes the pin up to hold the cap then it's fine.

Anyway, that's how I do it. If you can't seem to get it that way, try putting the cylinder in a vise to give you that 3rd hand.

[keysman]

but have run into a problem with the Schlage B360N deadbolt. Someone told me you had to push in the round pin before turning the knurled cap. I thought he pin he was talking about was the large round pin.

Not sure what you mean .. the large round pin ?

What is the proper way to do this? Holding the small pin in while twisting the knurled cap is extremely difficult because I need one hand to use a screwdriver tip to keep the pin from protruding above the cap, another to fit a pair of pliers around the cap, and a third hand to hold the cylinder.

There is a tool that will depress the pin .. can't think of the name or the manufacturer at this time ( see Eyes_Only
post above for a picture.). I use a pick to depress the pin .. you shouldn't need a pair of pliers.. it was only turned until it stops then back 1 " notch" so why the need for pliers ?

I somehow manage to remove 20-30 a day and have NEVER used pliers on a schlage KIK ( key in knob ) or deadbolt

[Eyes_Only]

But if you've been re-pinning mostly Kwikset type locks for a long time, your first few tries at a Schlage will throw you off. Just need a bit of practice to get used to it. I busted one myself the first time I worked on a Schlage. Don't remember what I did but I'm sure I did damage something.

[Bill R. 22]

Thanks to all. I managed to do it using a vise and a hook. It's still pretty awkward though. I guess it'll take practice. I'm also going to look into that tool you mentioned. Thanks again.

[CompFX]

Save your money; skip "that" tool, and keep practicing.

Think of your palm and your pinky/ring/middle fingers as your vise. Using that same hand, grip the cap with your index finger and your thumb. Using your other hand, push in the pin. Now turn the cap with your index finger and thumb.

A quicker way of doing it is to only use your thumb and just roll the cap off.

It sounds like something only a contortionist can do, but once you get the feel of it, it is very easy.

[Eyes_Only]

The tool is only useful if you do a lot of Schlage locks. Like if a customer brings in one deadbolt to the shop to re-key I don't care if I have the tool or not but if I'm on a re-key job at a large building or a home with a bunch of Schlage locks that cylinder cap tool really does make things go much faster.