Re-keying your locks, The how-to thread Options

[markb]

I was re-keying a lock for someone today, and thought it might be a good time to take some pictures & explain how you can do this yourself. It’s not rocket science, if I can do it, anyone can do it. Please correct me if I’m wrong, or use the wrong terminology.

I’ll start with a door handle, because that seems to be what needs to be re-keyed the most.


Your standard 914 door handle.

[markb]

Now you re-key the tumbler by replacing the wafers as we did with the door key. Again, it’s trial and error until they are all flush with the tumbler housing. Make sure you DO NOT use one of the valet wafers in this tumbler!

Sorry for the blurry pictures, I must have gotten some lessons from SirAndy. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
The pieces only go back together one way, so make sure you have it together properly before you put the pins in.

The end piece on the left only goes into the middle piece one way, and also only goes onto the tumbler one way.

I put the pins in using the curved pliers, then tap *lightly* with the small hammer. DON’T FORCE IT!!! You can bend a pin that way. Gentle is the keyword here, and tap the pins in a little at a time, checking the key each time. If the pin goes in too far, it can keep the key from going in all the way. The pins should be about flush with the top of the tumbler housing. As you’re testing the key, keep a slight pressure on the opposite end, it seems it’s needs some resistance to operate properly.

Once the pins are in place, make sure everything turns easily, and the key goes in & out smoothly. Now you can lubricate the tumbler, and re-insert in the housing.

That’s pretty much all there is to it. I’ll be doing a write-up on the early ignition switch next time.