Advice needed: Full home replacement locks: Help plz!

[v12v12]

Hey all, looking for some advice regarding getting replacement locks for my folks home; someone has a key copy that shouldn't, so they want all new locks. I'm looking for something "good," but nothing insane on the wallet, as I'm prob paying for it and will do the install myself etc...

The upper end Schlage locks aren't too bad and would deter most novice attempts at fiddling around in the 1st place... Any advice on:

1) Models (doesn't have to be Schlage)?
2) Realistic price (4 locks)?
3) Any discount/venue(s) to purchase (Ebay, forums etc.)?

Thanks for any aid or replies!

-V

[Squelchtone]

Hey all, looking for some advice regarding getting replacement locks for my folks home; someone has a key copy that shouldn't, so they want all new locks. I'm looking for something "good," but nothing insane on the wallet, as I'm prob paying for it and will do the install myself etc...

The upper end Schlage locks aren't too bad and would deter most novice attempts at fiddling around in the 1st place... Any advice on:

1) Models (doesn't have to be Schlage)?
2) Realistic price (4 locks)?
3) Any discount/venue(s) to purchase (Ebay, forums etc.)?

Thanks for any aid or replies!

-V

Hi,

Do you need 2 knobs and 2 deadbolts or is this 4 deadbolts for 4 doors? You could get Marks or LSDA Grade 1 hardware and then buy Medeco, GMS MX, (Scorpion) CX5, Abloy, BiLock, Schlage Primus, or Schlage Everest cores for the Marks or LSDA hardware.

** I linked to some places, but others like the well known lock brands I'm sure you can find on your own at your local locksmith or purchase them online. Remember to measure your parents backset and make sure you buy the same, or that your hardware is adjustable. Better hardware won't be adjustable, so you'll have to pick out 2-3/8 inch (residential) or 2-3/4 inch (commercial) backset.

Hope this helps,
Squelchtone

[v12v12]

WOW, now that's the kind of help I'm talking about, thanks!!


Doh, I left out the most important part; 4 dead bolts w/no knobs and 2 key ways/lock to prevent the smash-reach-in trick... , most of those listed are pretty much well above what my folks would need/where they live. As for me, yep I live in the city so I'll keep those in mind for myself lol!

Great advice, I'm going to get started on those links now.

[Greasemagnet]

Go for kwikset,smartkey. They are the ones that you can rekey without taking them off the door. They are decent quality and wont break the bank,

[v12v12]

Go for kwikset,smartkey. They are the ones that you can rekey without taking them off the door. They are decent quality and wont break the bank,

Thanks for the suggestion; I've seen them before in shops, but hearing the name "kwikset" turned me off; they are so easy to defeat, but this gen might be a lot better? Maybe I could machine some of the pins into mushrooms or serrates...

[sfi72]

Go for kwikset,smartkey. They are the ones that you can rekey without taking them off the door. They are decent quality and wont break the bank,

Thanks for the suggestion; I've seen them before in shops, but hearing the name "kwikset" turned me off; they are so easy to defeat, but this gen might be a lot better? Maybe I could machine some of the pins into mushrooms or serrates...

kwikset smartkey is FAR from decent quality, if you are at all interested in securing a door those locks are not for you. Schlage everest cylinders are decent quality over all, and are probably your best bet. Also smartkey doesnt have any pins - the lock depends on some little wafers(which can easily be forced over) to keep it locked.

[Greasemagnet]

There is nothing wrong with securing a house with smartkey locks, a window is far easier to break and gain entry than thru a locked door.
I agree everest is a better lock cylinder but to use it you are looking at commercial grade hardware and if he decides to go that route then he may as well go high security such as primus or medeco or miwa.

[Squelchtone]

There is nothing wrong with securing a house with smartkey locks, a window is far easier to break and gain entry than thru a locked door.
I agree everest is a better lock cylinder but to use it you are looking at commercial grade hardware and if he decides to go that route then he may as well go high security such as primus or medeco or miwa.

The only condition that isn't satisfied with the Kwikset Smartkey is the KW1 keyway, which is not restricted from being copied at any corner hardware store. I believe the original issue he is having is someone having an illicit copy of their keys.

sfi72 is right with the Schlage Everest c123 or c145. Not really "high security", and sure, keys can be bought on ebay if someone were to go that route, but at least their plumber or baby sitter can't easily go to the Home Depot and make a copy from the blanks they have in stock.

If at all possible finding 4 double cylinder deadbolts on ebay of something fancy like Medeco or Mul-t-Lock is also an option but it will probably cost $100 per deadbolt. (Still half price from retail, but not cheap by comparison to a $40 dollar Schlage or Kwikset)

Squelchtone

[FarmerFreak]

Since you are looking to install double cylinder deadbolts (keys from both sides). Pending on where you live they may be against fire code. If you are installing them yourself there probably won't be a legal issue anyways. But it's something to keep in mind. It's easy to imagine a fire starting and then in a panic nobody can find the keys to get out of the house.

With that in mind you may opt for single cylinder deadbolts, and consider getting some of the window film to prevent the smash and grab.

I would also avoid the Kwikset Smartkey and Schlage Securekey locks. Sure they are both easy to rekey. But they aren't very secure and are far far less reliable than the other locks on the market.

Other than that I would follow Squelch's advice. He knows what he's talking about.

[SALocksmith]

Grade 1 hardware is so ridiculously over the top for a residential application. That is for serious use like a door that will be opened 150 times a day for 20 years. It's very expensive too. I'd recomend Grade 2 LSDA /w GMS MX cylinders. It will give you good quality hardware (better then anything Home depot sells) and Key control, at a reasonable price. Primus is a good option too, but it's a hell of alot more expensive then MX. If key control where not an issue, i'd even go as far as to recommend just plan LSDA Grade 2, with SC1 keyway and a difficult to pick bitting... 61616 or something of the sort. I live in Texas though, people don't pick locks here, they kick in your door. It's different the farther up north you go.

[v12v12]

YES YES! More arguments please; MORE MORE! Nothing like a heated debate to get the post count up and the multi-faceted advice a flying!

Yeah $100/cyl is waaaay outta what my folks are looking for, lol... trying to explain to them about the diff levels of security regarding each lock type ("what?" They said...) is like trying to explain how to hook up the HDTV home theater = I'll be doing it

"This neighborhood" (I know that's a huge naivety) is pretty secure, people are always looking out for unfamiliar cars/people walking around, so Med/Multi etc... are well above what they would want (personally that's a diff matter, bc I know better). Plus the G.S.D keeps full watch of anyone even coming near the property line. I leaning more towards the Schlage Ev/Prime line, but we'll see what "deals" I can find.

Fire code/hazard: I wish you could tell them face-to-face; I've pleaded with them to NOT have dub-sided! Even though there's always key 100% within near proximity of the door; during a FIRE, people lose their wits and a key not in the door could be a major problem... Keeping the keep in the key way, defeats the purpose of having dub-sided etc... I digress.

Lastly... What other (if) alternatives would you all recommend aside from Schlage/Multi/Med class of cylinders?

Thanks a ton everyone for contributing! Keep up the good debates!

[Squelchtone]

Lastly... What other (if) alternatives would you all recommend aside from Schlage/Multi/Med class of cylinders?

Thanks a ton everyone for contributing! Keep up the good debates!

No more debates, we're not here for your entertainment. You have already received the best answers we could think of. If your parents want key control they're going to have to drop $50-$100 per cylinder per deadbolt.

If they're "that cheap", then the debate is over because they wont buy anything we suggest. Tell them there is nothing that offers protection from key copying other than something like a Schlage digital keypad lock, and to not give keys away to babysitters, plumbers, and electricians.

LSDA Grade 2 with GMS MX cylinders is the best answer, go to your local locksmith shops, in person, several shops while you're at it and price out the job. It may be a better price than what we are all suggesting, or it may not. But you won't know if you don't try. Its in your hands now.

Good luck and do let us know what you end up going with.

Squelchtone

ps. Don't mind slightly used/refurbished for Grade 2 with Medeco AIR keyway? get in touch with this seller, here he has 2 double deadbolts for $100 shipped. That's only $50 per double sided deadbolt with Medeco keys, and anyone here will tell you that's not a bad deal at all. http://cgi.ebay.com/160479795439

[v12v12]

Lastly... What other (if) alternatives would you all recommend aside from Schlage/Multi/Med class of cylinders?

Thanks a ton everyone for contributing! Keep up the good debates!

No more debates, we're not here for your entertainment. You have already received the best answers we could think of. If your parents want key control they're going to have to drop $50-$100 per cylinder per deadbolt.

If they're "that cheap", then the debate is over because they wont buy anything we suggest. Tell them there is nothing that offers protection from key copying other than something like a Schlage digital keypad lock, and to not give keys away to babysitters, plumbers, and electricians.

LSDA Grade 2 with GMS MX cylinders is the best answer, go to your local locksmith shops, in person, several shops while you're at it and price out the job. It may be a better price than what we are all suggesting, or it may not. But you won't know if you don't try. Its in your hands now.

Good luck and do let us know what you end up going with.

Squelchtone

ps. Don't mind slightly used/refurbished for Grade 2 with Medeco AIR keyway? get in touch with this seller, here he has 2 double deadbolts for $100 shipped. That's only $50 per double sided deadbolt with Medeco keys, and anyone here will tell you that's not a bad deal at all. http://cgi.ebay.com/160479795439

Alrighty then... I was just kidding about the arguments; it was just for laughs... Again I really do appreciate everyone's (esp yours) advice and or time taken to even reply. I'll let you know what comes about from all of this... More to come!

PS- Maybe there's a misunderstanding; I wasn't pushing the idea of controlled-keys, just more secure key ways, as kwikset is pure junk imo/e etc... I figured if I'm going to replace locks, then I should get something that's more "secure," etc...

Thx!

[SALocksmith]

You could also, try an a more obscure keyway, something like NA6, corbin russwin, LSDA20 (LSDA "Locksmith keyway"), or even Everest C123, or the locksmith primus keyway might be available cheaper then a restricted keyway. This is a half-way point between restricted and non-restricted because no hardware store, home depot, lowes, or wal-mart will carry it, but any of the above can still be duplicated by a locksmith.

I'd also like to add that's it's kind of pointless to install good locks without reinforcing the strike plate and/or door jamb. At the very least you should buy a commercial grade strike plate and install it, you should be able to buy these at any lockshop in town for 5-10$, at my shop we have 100's of them laying around because they come with every grade 2 door knob/lever we install but we normally just keep using what's already there, as often times there's nothing wrong with the strike plate, but the lock has failed, (especially levers).

You could also look into something like a Stirke Master Pro, but Im pretty sure that's alot more money then you want to spend, definitely get the commercial strike plate, and put 4" screws in it.

[SALocksmith]

here's a link to the strike plate im talking about, so you have an idea.

http://hardware.hardwarestore.com/29-43 ... 62114.aspx