replace cylinder in SchlageLink lock with SecureKey version

[rentalguy]

I am coming to the experts since I am not a locksmith, but rather a small rental management company. Locks, keys, lockouts, etc. take up way too much time (and aggravation) for a small business like mine. I am in process of switching over to SchlageLink and SecureKey locks for individual apartments to help alleviate the time requirements.

My question: it is possible to replace the standard cylinder in the BE and FE SchlageLink series with a SecureKey version so that I can easily match the other locks on each unit?

Have found only one reference via Google, which implies it's not possible, but thought I would ask this board, as well. Not sure why Schlage does not offer a SecureKey version of it's SchlageLink lock series.

If this is not possible, as an alternative, is it possible to purchase additional standard cylinders that I can keep on hand and have rekeyed in advance by a locksmith? This will dramatically speed up renter turnover process, since locks must be rekeyed on each turnover. My maintenance guys can easily swap cylinders and change electronic codes, but have no experience rekeying locks themselves.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, RentalGuy

[keysman]

My question: it is possible to replace the standard cylinder in the BE and FE SchlageLink series with a SecureKey version so that I can easily match the other locks on each unit?

Yes , or you can just key the SchlageLink to the other locks

If this is not possible, as an alternative, is it possible to purchase additional standard cylinders that I can keep on hand and have rekeyed in advance by a locksmith? This will dramatically speed up renter turnover process, since locks must be rekeyed on each turnover. My maintenance guys can easily swap cylinders and change electronic codes, but have no experience rekeying locks themselves.

Yes, it is not a problem to key 5 or 6 ( or more) sets of locks keyed alike ready to go. My personal opinion is you will be better off with standard pin tumblers rather than the "secure a key".
Are your maintance people able to switch tail pieces? IE a deadbolt and a door knob have different tail pieces and require a little knowledge / knowhow to swich out.

[rentalguy]

keysman - Thanks for the quick response. RE: your responses below:

#1. where can I purchase SecureKey cylinders for use in the SchlageLink deadbolt sets? Have not found them online yet. supposedly the cylinder housing, tailpiece, etc. for a SchlageLink lock cylinder is different than that of any other Schlage lock series (i.e. - F, FA, B, FE, etc.) updated for SecureKey. Have not been able to confirm - local locksmiths that I called seem to have no experience with either SchlageLink or SecureKey.

#2. I would only need 1-2 cylinders to be kept on-hand, since the other locks in each apartment are now SecureKey, and can be changed using the blue "master" keys. The on-hand cylinder would be pre-keyed @ local locksmith to match the existing on-hand Securekey sets that I have. The idea is that at apt turnover time, maintenance guys would reset the two SecureKey locks on front entry door of the apartment and then swap out the matching non-SecureKey on-hand cylinder with existing one in the SchlageLink deadbolt on rear entry door. The replaced SecureKey key set can then be reused downstream in another building using same process. The existing SchlageLink cylinder would be dropped off at local locksmith for rekeying to next Securekey set.

BTW - any recommendations for electronic locks which need to survive the cold, wet winters of Chicago? Considering Simplex, but could use recommendations.

[Evan]

@rentalguy:

The SecureKey locks are not something you will want to rely on in the long term...

Plus it can get very expensive if the tenants ever figure out that they could re-key the locks also if they were able to get their hands on one of the blue keys cut to the same bitting as the keys they were given for the locks... They could drop off the keys you gave them knowing they are worthless and keep the keys they changed the locks to knowing you will have to suffer some expense to rectify the situation...

If swapping out cylinders is not something you or your co-workers are good at doing then you should explore a final upgrade to SFIC based locks... They are more tamper proof as far as the occupant's key being able to do anything other than operate the lock compared to SecureKey...

You could eliminate the locksmith expenses from your operating costs if you invested in a Pro-Lok blue punch, a Schlage pinning kit, a plug follower and pair of pinning tweezers... I don't know what your turnover rate is or how many units you are managing -- but if you have more than a few units you will recover the costs of buying your own set-up to re-key the locks yourself and save calling the locksmith out for when something is broken and nobody can get in even with the correct key...

As far as the SchlageLink stuff, that is too gimmicky as far as I am concerned... If you are using that so that employees don't have to respond after hours to let a tenant back into a unit after a lock out, get rid of the keyed knob/lever locks (replace them with passage sets) and install two deadbolts instead... A deadbolt can not be locked from the inside while the door is open and then closed behind a tenant who has left their keys inside... It must be locked from inside the door by the thumb turn or from outside with a key... Schlage residential knobs are notorious for being unlocked on the inside at all times for safety, someone who is not familiar with that fact who closes the door behind themselves will get locked out...

I would go lower tech than your current solution... Seems like life is easier when all you have to do is use an app on your phone to let your tenant back in their unit... You could accomplish the same type of system if you installed a Supra key safe at each unit and when the tenant called for a lock out you gave them the code for the Supra safe... You would then take a trip out to the unit during business hours to change the code on that Supra safe and make sure the key is still inside...

As far as your recommendation for an electronic combination lock which can survive the winters of Chicago, what application are you going to use it in:

-- Single unit entry door ?
-- Some form of common area access which is not an egress ?
-- Ingress/Egress points for a building ?
-- Does your AHJ require a key override capability on electronic locking hardware ?

Besides knowing the above, it would also be helpful to know what type of lock cylinders you need it to be compatible with...

~~ Evan

[keysman]

BTW - any recommendations for electronic locks which need to survive the cold, wet winters of Chicago? Considering Simplex, but could use recommendations.

The convenience of SecureKey will BITE you. I played with a Schlage Securakey and found it to be convenient but unreliable at best. After 4-5 changes it just “lost it” I managed to put it back in working order but, it makes me wonder how many locksmith calls will be for a customer related problem.
Also it is not a good idea to just “ swap” keys from one apt to another. If you don't have a reliable locksmith in your area try here http://www.clearstar.com/yellform.htm for a pro near you. You may also get some information from Schalge by calling and asking where you can purchase new sets of blue keys.
Electronic Locks ... again while convenient, I can guarantee you WILL have a problem. Batteries go bad, electronics just fail , minor vandalism will put the (expensive) lock out of service. I am not familiar with bad weather conditions, so I cannot speak for that. You may wish to contact different companys and make sure the sell you the Exterior Model.
Hope this helps

[globallockytoo]

great answers.

I also would be loathed to recommend securekey cylinders ever. You are just asking for problems IMHO.

If you intend to go for web connected hardware, consider hardwired. It is more expensive but far more reliable.

SFIC or LFIC or Bilock QCC is the better option for quick rekeying without removing hardware.

[Evan]

SFIC or LFIC or Bilock QCC is the better option for quick rekeying without removing hardware.

@globallockytoo:

I agree with your opinion of the SecureKey cylinders... They won't hold up under heavy use and frequent changes of the bitting...

I wouldn't recommend the following LFIC's for commercial apartments being rented to tenants: Yale or Schlage, as the user key can be re-cut on a control blank and that would allow the tenant to disassemble the locks... Other manufacturer's LFIC's are more tamper proof as the user change keys can not be easily copied onto control key blanks to allow for removal of the core...

~~ Evan

[globallockytoo]

Last year I installed Bilock QCC, LFIC (Schlage) replacement cylinders for a discerning client. 50 doors. They maintain the quick change core ability and can still use the proprietary hardware, but if a handle fails (like one did about a month ago) the $380 cost for a new handle is outrageous. At least with Bilock, I can install a more competitively priced leverset and install a Bilock QCC cylinder in it maintaining their system quicker (on average) and cheaper than waiting for a supplier to have replacement LFIC hardware.

Securekey is not secure. It is a complete joke and I suspect will bite them in the bum in the long run.

[Eyes_Only]

The biggest reason I would strongly discourage anyone from buying a Schlage SecureKey for their home or anything else is that they are so unreliable. If you pick them too many times they break, if you rekey them too many times they break, if you use them on a regular basis too much with the proper key they break.

I really don't want to say this but the Kwikset SmartKey is way more durable and reliable than the Schlage SecureKey.