Possible make a Kwikset Smartkey resist destruction?

[cubicdissection]

Hello! Found the forum b/c I was looking to see if the nifty new Kwikset Smartscan lock I put on my door was actually any good. After a bit of reading it seems that it's quite resistant to picking and bumping, but is susceptable to destructive attacks. I came across some interesting pictures which were very enlightening.

I realize that discussing this stuff in too much detail is taboo (and I can certainly understand why). I will try to keep this very vague - if I'm over the line, sorry and I'd be happy to edit my post if that's the care (or have it edited by an admin).

I do like the convienence of the Smartscan system and I have a milling machine and some metalworking tools. I'm wondering if drilling the weak area and pressfitting 1/8" steel dowel pins would fix the problem with the parts that are likely to shear off in an attack from a certain direction. Think it would work?

[MacGyver101]

Ah... just to help avoid any confusion, the "SmartScan" deadbolt that I think you're describing (with the fingerprint reader) is very different than the "SmartKey" cylinder (which lets you rekey the cylinder yourself to a new operating key without disassembling the lock).

Having not played much with one, I have no idea if the SmartScan deadbolt has any of the same mechanical weaknesses as the SmartKey cylinder... but they certainly have different internal layouts.

[MacGyver101]

I should have noted, I suppose, that I'm basing those comments off the Weiser-branded versions that are available in Canada. It's entirely possible that Kwikset has released a SmartKey SmartScan deadbolt in the States that hasn't made its way up here yet... and, if so, please accept my apologies.

[freakparade3]

The smartscan is is good idea in theory, but it's not the greatest lock. One big problem with it is when your fingers are a little put pruned from the rain or wearing gloves, or working in the garden the scanner will not recognize your fingerprint.

[cubicdissection]

"Ah... just to help avoid any confusion, the "SmartScan" deadbolt that I think you're describing (with the fingerprint reader) is very different than the "SmartKey" cylinder"

Hmm....it was my impression that the SmartScan used the same deadbolt assembly / technology as the regular smartkey. At least that's what the kwikset website claims.

"One big problem with it is when your fingers are a little put pruned from the rain or wearing gloves"

On the handful of occasions that happens to me, I guess I can dig out my backup keychain

[Afisch]

A picture (off the net) of what it is might help. Are you using the Smartkey cylinder with the key also or simply the locking hardwear?

If it is the lock with key also then there are indeed physical weaknesses that could have some attempt at adressing.

If it is a fingerprint scanner is it the locking bolt you are wanting to improve?

[cubicdissection]

I have a SmartScan on the front door and a SmartKey double cylinder on the rear. Not sure if they are the same or not (I don't think they are), but I received the Smartkey deadbolt today and looking at it, it seems the destructive entry flaws are unrepairable from a machining perspective given the current design.

[MacGyver101]

...it was my impression that the SmartScan used the same deadbolt assembly / technology as the regular smartkey.

My apologies: the first SmartScan deadbolts that I'd seen did not have a SmartKey cylinder in them... it appears that they now do! (I picked up a Weiser-branded one today with a SmartKey cylinder.) Sorry for any confusion I might have caused there!

[dougfarre]

Ah... just to help avoid any confusion, the "SmartScan" deadbolt that I think you're describing (with the fingerprint reader) is very different than the "SmartKey" cylinder (which lets you rekey the cylinder yourself to a new operating key without disassembling the lock).

Having not played much with one, I have no idea if the SmartScan deadbolt has any of the same mechanical weaknesses as the SmartKey cylinder... but they certainly have different internal layouts.

Yea, i was about to tell you how wrong you were but you did it for me!