Schlage 2 sided deadbolts

[Pintickler]

Has anyone else had problems removing the little caps that cover the mounting screws on Schlage double sided deadbolts ? I have wasted serious time before, trying to get those little suckers off without marking up the lock. More than once I have scratched the face of the lock anyway with my little sharpened flathead screwdriver. Does anyone know of an easy, damage free way of taking them off ?

[billdeserthills]

I prolly do the same thing You are doing, I take and grind a bit of a chisel edge on my little screwdriver & try to get them to peel out. My Dad used to just tap around the cap until the screws came unscrewed enough to turn by hand, but I like to get the screws tighter than that, so I usually pull the caps off. It can be a bit of a hassle, but there aren't that many out there anymore anyway, seems like somebody isn't putting the caps back in when they are finished...

[cledry]

I use a sharp awl and they always pop out without too much fuss.

[Squelchtone]

This is slightly related, maybe some of you experienced locksmiths can tell me why Schlage did this, but in my area, on at least 3 exterior residential doors I have run into, I saw a unique Schlage deadbolt where you can walk up to the door and see the cylinder, but it is more like a mortise cylinder without the big tranditional rose/cone USA deadbolts have, and it has a screw in the face of it holding it into the door, the inside cylinder (double cylinder deadbolt) also has such a screw. What where they thinking of putting a screw outside where it was accessible to a potential burglar?

wish I had a photo of this setup, maybe you'll be able to figure out based on my description. jeffmoss26 has a photo of what I believe to be one over at another forum, it says there it is a Schlage B262P. late 1970's, early 1980's vintage. http://www.antique-locks.com/showthread ... e-deadbolt

Thanks,
Squelchtone

[1mrchristopher]

I can only surmise that they didn't see it as a problem because of the fact that you could only remove one screw from any side, making it somewhat tamper proof from either side. The lack of symmetry bugs the crap out of me though. Yeah, I'm one of those guys who is deeply disturbed when a lock is installed 5 degrees off...

[billdeserthills]

I have seen many of these and wondered the same thing squelchtone, my best guess is schlage knew that as 1mrchristopher said, it would not compromise security and I believe it was to help lower their manufacturing costs, being that every double deadbolt was simply two of the same housing. They are very flimsy, really just stamped out sheet metal and must pre-date the grading system as they would hafta be grade 3, or less security rating

[Pintickler]

Yeah, I am thinking like 1mrchristopher said, that the idea of having only one screw accessible from either side means that it's tamper proof from either side. I might be wrong but I'm guessing that this design isn't around anymore because you could potentially lock someone injust as effectively as you could lock someone out. A Philips screwdriver wouldnt save you in the event of a fire or some other emergency. In other words I'll bet it's illegal to make em that way nowadays. But I could be wrong.

[cledry]

It is an old design, Weiser did the same thing. I think they were both 1/2" throw locks too.

As for being illegal because you couldn't get out with a Phillips screwdriver doesn't really make sense. The law specifies that you should be able to exit with no delay and no prior knowledge of the lock, most places also require a single action for exit.

[dll932]

Double cylinder locks are generally prohibited in multi unit dwellings because you could be locked in in case of fire. If it's a condo unit it might be different, but unless you want to limit access from both sides the only reason for them is if there is a window in or next to a door.