Putting Locks back together

[motley]

Following the advice of a few posts to LP101 I’ve bought myself a set of picks and a cheap cylinder lock. I took it apart by pulling off a clip at the back, the cylinder came out and all the pins and springs went everywhere. With the intention of putting it back together with one pin at a time when I can open the lock with just one pin then I’ll put another in until all 5 are in. Now my question is, has anyone got a simple way of putting it back together? I can’t put the springs back in, it’s far too fiddly. Any special methods or tools for putting locks together?

Regards
Motley

[Grudge]

Assuming you don't have all of the nifty shims and followers found in a locksmith's shop, here is some quick and dirty info.

It depends on the lock, but sometimes they have a little metal shield (usually silver) on the top of the case that you can pry off. This shield covers the top of the driver/pin 'wells'. If so rejoice, then insert the cylinder and then drop a driver and then a spring into each hole (sometimes a lock will only use the 1st 5 when it has 6 holes, so nothing is absolute). Finally replace the little metal 'cap' and you are done.

If the lock doesn't have a metal cap, you have to insert the spring into the hole, use tweezers to push a driver on top of the pin. Then using something like a toothpick, push down on the driver until it is at least flush with the case wall. Then push the cylinder into the case just far enough to push your toothpick out of the way and cover the spring/driver so it doesn't pop out. Continue inserting spring/driver and moving the cylinder forward a hole until you are done. A royal pain bound to involve a lot of cursing, yes. Impossible, no (I have done it several times).

[Chucklz]

I got a couple of tips for everyone.

1.) Its a good idea to take a lock apart inside a plastic bag, so when little bits fly, you end up with all of them.

2.) A plug follower is pretty easy to improvise an extra long 9/16" (sorry metric guys, Im not sure what metric socket works best, probably 10-12 mm) socket works adequately for many locks. 1/2" Inch dowel can also be used in many cases. Apparently it is possible to cut up a soda can, and roll it up around a pencil or another 1/4 inch rod or so, and then use that as some sort of universal plug follower. Several home centers also sell a rekey kit for several brands of locks, which include a plug follower, cut keys, and pins.

3.) Now the quick how to. Remove whatever in the back of the cylinder that keeps you from pulling it out. Probably a clip if you got a Kwickset, if you got a Schlage, which has something that looks like a very strange nut or somethign with a star shaped cut out top, with a pin sticking up into one of the cutouts. With this, you need to push down this pin with say a paperclip and unscrew the nut device on the back of the cylinder. Wow, I hope that was kinda clear. Anyway, there are other kinds of cylinder retaining methods, but they are usually some kind of clip, or screw/nut device.

Now, insert key/pick/shim lock. Turn approximately 90 degrees. Use your plug follower, however you improvise it, push the plug out from the BACK of the lock, and leave the cylinder on the follower. So now, you have everything pretty much squared away, for rekeying if you wish. When you put the plug back in the lock, make sure you do it at that approximately 90 degree angle.

If you want to remove top pins from the lock, you can slowly pull out the follower, one pin at a time, and there you are.

[davehill]

its a bit fiddly but only takes about 5 minutes . just repinned my first yale lock thank you very much the instructons are spot on .saved me loads a doe on the practice lock . i can pick the lock now ive taken the vile hideous spool pins and thrown them