Mortis Style Lock Repair

[jarrod0987]

I am trying to repair a mortis style lock on a Adams Wright commercial door at my friends restaurant. The key works but you have to angle it up to make the cylinder turn. I thought maybe one of the pins was wrong or worn down so I disassembled the lock and replaced all the pins. They are keyed for Kwikset KW1 and I have those kind of pins. I replaced them all with fresh pins. I have checked and rechecked and the shear line in correct. If I change any of the pins the plug will not go back into the cylinder. Still you have to angle the key up slightly to get the plug to spin. Does this mean the plug is worn down? What else can cause this please? I tired WD-40 and everything. Mechanism seems to be undamaged and intact.

[MacGyver101]

Hrm. Not sure if any of this will help, but a few thoughts...

You only mention "the key" in your post; is the lock showing the same symptom with more than one key? (My first assumption would be that the key is either worn down at the tip or it's a copy that was cut incorrectly, rather than a problem with the cylinder.) If that's not the case, and by "angle it up" you mean pull the head up, then my next guess would be that the warding in from of the plug is worn down?

I've never run into a KW1 mortise lock, but you seem confident in that, so it's likely just that they're not common up here. I'm a bit confused by this part, though:

If I change any of the pins the plug will not go back into the cylinder.

You say that "the shear line is correct", so I'll assume that the pins are fitting properly flush with the top of the plug when the correct key is inserted. How far in does the plug go before it stops with replacement pins?

[Evan]

Pictures please...

It could be anything from a worn out cylinder to a door that is dragging because of a frame or hinge issue...

Is the Cylinder made of pot metal ?

What type of hinges are installed (standard, continuous, pivot) ?

Is there any apparent issue with the door frame (gaps at corners, deep scrapes or gouges) ?

~~ Evan

[bjornnrojb]

Also are you sure it is Kwikset, or could the keyway actually be WR3 or something not specced the same as a kwikset blank, but still similar enough that it sort of works? Remember that the sheer line and the pin level can change once you put the key into the plug once the plug is inside the cylinder.
Once I had a Maxtech deadbolt a customer wanted me to install for him and also rekey his whole house. I told him I would save him $20 and use the keys from the maxtech deadbolt for all of his other locks. I spent a good 30 minutes trying to figure out why when the plug was out of the cylinder the pins all came to the sheer line, but in the cylinder the plug wouldn't spin. Eventually I figured out that the POS Maxtech lock had out of spec Kwikset form factor keys that had a huge bottom part of their blade and when inserted into a cylinder, the bottom of the cylinder would force the key up higher than light force and the pins would go above the sheer line.
So, my lesson that day was don't trust POS Chinese lock manufacturers to make quality products, and also to not rely on the hardware as being an ideal perfectly functioning item.

[2octops]

Sounds like a poorly cut key to me.

[jarrod0987]

What I meant about changing the pins was that I know the key is the proper depth cuts because if I change any of the pins 1 up or 1 down it no longer fits or works at all. The key is "Correct" as far as it's biting. It is a KW1 keyway and the owners keys are al KW1 blanks. I don't know that quickset makes mortis locks but somebody makes a compatible plug for them it seems. I was surprised too. In the end I believe it is that the spacing on the keys are incorrect. Probably have been since day 1. Took me a while to figure out this could happen with a professionally cut key because I'm new tot he field. Foolishly assumed all professional people would have proper spacing on the key's. Thank you all for your help.

[cledry]

A new cylinder with new keys costs about $5. Just pop a new one in and cut extra keys. A spacing issue would not act as you describe. You can key a lock to work fine on a miscut key, but a worn plug will act as you describe. I wouldn't waste more than a few minutes on a job like this; time is money.

[bjornnrojb]

If it is a shoulder stop key and you stick the key in all the way and all of the pins are level with the shear line, then look at the bottom. Is the bottom of the blade of the key sticking out? If so, push it up or push the plug with the key in it down on a surface. Now look at the height of the pins. Are they still level? If your key is for a different keyway, this may happen. It also might happen if the plug is made by a cheap Chinese manufacturer that isn't specced correctly. But also, what the other guy said: don't waste your time, just sell the guy a different cylinder. Tell him about the money he is saving by avoiding lock problems, and also that it comes with keys already so you don't have to charge him to rekey it.
Then, take the problem cylinder home and learn everything you can about why it malfunctions. In my experience, these problem locks are worth the most because if you diagnose the issue, you can repair the issue in the field or avoid wasting lots of time in the future! If you think about potential work lost by fiddling around with this one cylinder, consider the $100's of dollars lost (assuming high population density and critical mass of people locking themselves out or wanting rekeying done)

[smokingman]

As others have said, I would replace the cylinder and study the one that has a problem.
An out of spec key or cylinder can cause the key or cylinder to scrape the inside of the shell, causing friction.
Having to rock the key often indicates this.
This can make the lock stick when turning and especially when picking, if the tension
wrench scrapes the shell bottom it will not move without more force than is needed to turn, which defeats the attempt.
Minor variences in the bottom of the key blade or warding can make enough difference to cause protrusion/friction problems.
Look for signs of wear in these areas.
Just my 2cents.