U CHANGE

[Capt_Tom]

Has anyone dealt with the U CHANGE company? I need some parts, I. E., a longer tailpiece for one of their mortise cylinders. The lock was installed in the customer's door a while back. It was hard to operate then, and had become so bad that the keys are about twisted apart. During an emergency service call, I installed a new Schlage cylinder until I could get parts. I think a longer tailpiece will cure it. I have nearly a pound of tailpieces, but it is not like one that I have seen before.

[Anavaree]

Try these guys.

http://www.securitysolutions-usa.com/So ... fault.aspx

They are the NA supplier of uchange now.

[2octops]

U Change only deals with end users as far as I know.

[Capt_Tom]

Yeah, I called security solutions... they ARE U-Change. They were less than helpful. I was not asking for a lock, or a key... just one of their funky tailpieces. I replaced their lock with a new mortise cylinder, until one of their people could get down to handle their contract.... sort of blew me off. But, the local store was happy that I was available to allow them to close the store that night.... and the next few days till help arrived.

[GWiens2001]

Always wanted to play around with a U-Change lock, field strip it and see how it works. I know how the tools, but not familiar with the internals.

Gordon

[Jeremym0411]

We tryed one time to get parts from them. They told me the customer that purchased the system as to get the parts. I may have been givin wrong info but that is what i was told by one of there reps.

[Eyes_Only]

I love U-Change locks. They're so much fun to bypass.

[Calismth]

Picking these are fairly easy actually. Considering the large ''pins'' on the inside are easily manipulated. Also, U Change usually only deals with End User's (meaning that Locksmiths are generally kept out of the rekeying), unless however the M.O.D. needs a new cylinder replaced. I'm an authorized vendor for Security Solutions and typically the recurring problem with these locks is due to improper rekeying procedures by an employee (the reset tool being removed too soon, or jammed, etc).

[IndigoChild]

Always wanted to play around with a U-Change lock, field strip it and see how it works. I know how the tools, but not familiar with the internals.

Gordon

Would you be interested to read a write up with diagrams if I wrote one?

[GWiens2001]

Sure would, Indigo. I now have two U-Change locks, a mortise and a handle set (which has one honking big KIK cylinder!!!), but no keys. Want to get a couple different keys. The locks are part of my permanent collection for their unusualness.

I have dissected them, and they are really interesting inside. Have made both of the change tools. Have started the bypass tool, but work was too busy over the past few days to file it out. I do have it measured out and scribed. It is already the correct length, width and thickness.

Making the tools as a challenge to myself, not for use. These locks are very easy to pick. Also looking at eventually buying a padlock with the U-Change cylinder, again for the unusualness. Saw a pic of one, so I know they exist.

Gordon

[jeffmoss26]

I would like to see a breakdown also! Watching your video now.

Thanks,
Jeff

[dll932]

Either fabricate the part or replace it with something GOOD, maybe interchangeable core.

[cledry]

Either fabricate the part or replace it with something GOOD, maybe interchangeable core.

Unfortunately these businesses that use U-change receive their keys from corporate and corporate will usually not let you change the lock to another type of lock. If they were left on the door by a previous tenant then by all means swap them out.

[Evan]

Unfortunately these businesses that use U-change receive their keys from corporate and corporate will usually not let you change the lock to another type of lock. If they were left on the door by a previous tenant then by all means swap them out.

Many of the businesses in my area (mostly retail chains) which used to swear by U-Change have been switching over to instaKey SFIC... Same protection against key duplication, same ability to instantly rekey...

Advantages of InstaKey over U-Change: Multi-Unit employees like District?Regional Management and Loss Prevention can possess a master key rather than a large keyring of every U-Change key in field use...

Drawbacks of InstaKey: Once you use a step key, the control key used to install the cores won't work anymore and you would have to request another one through the end-user supply chain... Since some configurations of SFIC hardware require the core be removed from the housing in order to access a cylinder security screw for disassembly, an operable control key should be included in each step key set with the replacement keys...

Unless you are doing the initial install of InstaKey, it is basically just as difficult to deal with as a customer using U-Change...

~~ Evan

[dll932]

Self-change locks sound good in principle but (aside from interchangeable core) suck in practice. Too easy to screw up while changing and too much tendency to fail. Schlage dropped theirs because they were prone to failure (also unpickable).