A Guide to Rekeying Schlage Locks With a Master Key

One important thing for you to do when moving into a new home is to make sure that your locks are secure enough to protect your home. It is more practical for you to rekey your locks than to replace them all.

Having your locks rekeyed with a master key system allows you to unlock multiple locks with a single key, making it easier to gain access to different areas in the house faster. Although it’s more utilized in commercial places, it can also be applied to residential buildings too.

The rekeying process would be a lot easier if the locks installed were the same type or brand. Since Schlage has been a trusted lock brand in America since 1920, it’s no surprise to find their locks installed in your new house. If you’re curious as to how rekeying is done with a Schlage lock, here is a quick guide:

Get a Schlage Rekey Kit
The first thing to do when rekeying a Schlage lock is to get a rekey kit. It contains a follower bar, key gauge, and cylinder cap removal tool that are necessary for the process. The kit also has a few extra pins and springs needed to replace your lock’s old internal parts. There is also a rekey kit map to help you navigate the whole kit.

Disassemble the Lock
Use your key gauge to remove the door knob from the chassis. Find your lock's cylinder cap and remove it with the removal tool, cylinder pin, and spring. Slide the deadbolt out using the follower bar and keep the bar in.

Don't remove the follower bar, and keep its notch horizontal. Once the cylinder pin is out of its housing, empty the existing bottom pins and remove the key.

Begin Rekeying
Find the key cut number on your new key, a series of numbers used to indicate the cuts or depth of your key. Insert the new key into the cylinder and locate the right pins of your lock using the rekey kit map, matching it to the key cut number.

Insert the correct numbered pin into their corresponding holes. Once the key is placed in the keyway, all inserted pins must be fully flushed with the cylinder top. Any pin extending below or above the surface should be replaced with the right size.

Reinstall the Lock
Using the follower bar, push the cylinder back into the deadbolt housing. Then, remove your new key. Re-insert the cylinder spring, followed by the pin. Tighten the cylinder cap using the cylinder cap removal tool. You can now test your lock to see if it works.

Final Pointers
If done incorrectly, rekeying can be tricky and potentially become a security risk. To ensure that the rekeying is done right, call a locksmith company you can trust. Contact us at Oliphant Lock & Safe today to learn more about our locksmithing services.