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Just FYI, most, probably all locks, sold in Lowes or Home Depot are garbage if used as perimeter entry door locks. Almost anybody with a handheld drill can drill those out in under 0.5-1 min while making minimal noise.
Personally I wouldn't bother with re-keying; I would rather replace them with good locks which would cost $100/each. If you move, put the old locks back and take the new ones with you.
Just FYI, most, probably all locks, sold in Lowes or Home Depot are garbage if used as perimeter entry door locks. Almost anybody with a handheld drill can drill those out in under 0.5-1 min while making minimal noise.
Where do you recommend getting locks from that are not garbage?
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheStupid
Just FYI, most, probably all locks, sold in Lowes or Home Depot are garbage if used as perimeter entry door locks. Almost anybody with a handheld drill can drill those out in under 0.5-1 min while making minimal noise.
Personally I wouldn't bother with re-keying; I would rather replace them with good locks which would cost $100/each. If you move, put the old locks back and take the new ones with you.
I would add that when someone kicks a door in, the lock isn't what breaks. Regardless of whether or not it was a $30 Kwikset or a fancy and expensive custom job, the doorjamb is the weakest link.
I would add that when someone kicks a door in, the lock isn't what breaks. Regardless of whether or not it was a $30 Kwikset or a fancy and expensive custom job, the doorjamb is the weakest link.
You are absolutely right. If you want to do things right like buying good locks etc, it's better spending the money to get doorjamb etc fixed too; otherwise save your money and pretend to be happy.
Last edited by TheStupid; 10-05-2009 at 12:35 PM..
Where do you recommend getting locks from that are not garbage?
For deadbolt and keyed (cylinder) locks:
Medeco makes the top of the line and absolutely the best locks. Schlage makes some too but only some top models (UL rated), not those Schlage sold at Home Depot.
Both have key control meaning if someone get hold of your key, no legit locksmith would copy one for them because 1) they don't have the blank keys and 2) jail time.
All non-UL rated locks are more or less the same. Their prices can run between $15-$250, but they are still the same - protection wise.
Like Jim pointed out, security is as secure as the weakest link. If you have the best lock, but your door is secured by 1 inch screws dug into pine wood, it means nothing; if you door&frame is made of super steel but you constantly leave window up and security alarm off, it means nothing either.
the key to lowes is that in order for them to key they have to have all the original keys in order to unlock the locks and rekey to the new one. and my lowes on rekeys Schlage and Kwikset. Not sure if that is the case for all Lowes
One rental home I have has 6 outside doors with 12 locks
I decided to try Kwikset smart key system... re-keying the lock takes about 20 seconds and the lock stays in the door... nothing to remove.
If it works out well... I may eventually go this route on the other rentals...
No matter how you look at it... re-keying 12 locks is a chore... so hopefully the claims made by kwikset are accurate...
By the way... the lock is only one part of a secure door...
Good locks require substantial doors and solid secure jambs... locks are the easiest to replace so I prefer it to be the weak link...
Another point is double cylinder deadbolts provide much more security and are touted by my local police department for commercial buildings...
Double Cylinder Deadbolts (Lock with a key of both sides) are no longer allowed here for residential property because of the risk they pose in the event they are locked and a fire occurs...
Have you used SecureKey - the re-keyable lock? No locksmith required! You can do the re-keying yourself, at any time. I'd love to hear opinions (full disclosure: I work with Schlage) if you have used it.
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Last edited by Ultrarunner; 01-06-2010 at 10:38 PM..
Reason: Sorry, must have more than 10 posts to post links
Kwik-Set also has a easy re-key system... So far so good. It's been less than a year so I cannot yet say if these locks will stand the test of time...
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