FAQs
You must buy a kit for each brand of lock in your home. (If you're lucky, they'll all be the same brand!) Each kit will re-key six locks, but you can order extra pins if you need to do more. The kit will work on entrance and deadbolt locks, and it comes with two keys and all the tools you'll need except a screwdriver.
How many times can you rekey with SmartKey? ›
Am I limited to how many times a SmartKey lock can be re-keyed? No, by re-keying your lock, your old key is now obsolete. The new key becomes the current functional key that works with your lock and can be used to re-key your lock in the future. What happens if I lose my current key?
How much does it cost to rekey a lock at Home Depot? ›
Will Home Depot rekey locks for free? - Quora. Every store I worked at would rekey locks you buy from them, at no charge, so long as the key you have is compatible with the brand of lock you purchase.
Does keeping a key in the door lock make it any harder for burglars to pick it? ›
Unfortunately no matter what you stick in the lock of a 2 sided door lock, it will not affect the lock being picked on the outside. On the other hand some burglars know this and put a wire through the letter box and fish for the key. Or they break the glass.
Can you rekey multiple locks with same key? ›
When rekeying multiple locks to fit a single key, all locks must first have been made by the same manufacturer. For example, if your front door lock is a Schlage, the other locks you want rekeyed to match must also be made by Schlage.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks? ›
In most scenarios, it makes more sense to rekey a lock instead of changing it outright. Rekeying is usually cheaper, and it still provides you with a renewed sense of security. If you move into a new home or if your key is lost or stolen, rekeying your lock will almost always suffice.
Can Kwikset SmartKey locks be picked? ›
The SmartKey locks are sidebar locks and about as close to unpickable as you can get, but you better believe SOMEBODY has managed it. However, SmartKey locks are extremely vulnerable to compromise by the SmartKey Bypass Tool. The bypass technique is NOT picking, properly speaking, but the end result is the same.
Will any Kwikset key work with SmartKey? ›
No. Only SC1 5-Pin keys are compatible.
Which is better, Schlage or Kwikset? ›
Schlage locks tend to be more expensive than Kwikset due to its superior security features, durable materials, tight tolerances, great security pins, and robust deadbolt screws. The Kwikset deadbolt is good quality, but the quality of Schlage housing and door locks justifies the higher cost.
How much does ace charge to rekey locks? ›
Do you have a lock that needs rekeying? Do you have too many keys to get into your house? For $10.00 each, our qualified staff will rekey your Schlage, Kwikset, or Ace brand doorknob or deadbolt. If you have a newer Kwikset lock it may use SmartKey technology, which makes re-keying quick and easy.
Step 1 Make the Bump Key
Go to the any store that has blank keys. Wal-Mart and Home Depot have them. They look like this, without teeth at all: A bump key is made by using a triangular file (they're at every hardware store…
How many times can you rekey a lock? ›
Unlimited amount of times. All you need is the Smarkey Security tool.
Why do burglars not pick locks? ›
Since picking a lock requires a specific skill set to be successful, most burglars damage or remove doors and windows to gain entry when locked because it is faster and easier for them than using tools.
What door locks Cannot be picked? ›
A pick-proof lock is a lock with specialized keys and safety features that prevent lock picking and bumping. The best pick-resistant locks to buy are the Medeco3 Cam Lock, BiLock deadbolts, and the EVVA MCS locking system.
How to prevent a lock from being picked? ›
How Do You Prevent Lock Picking To Protect Your Property?
- Use of deadbolts. The use of deadbolts is one of the perfect ways to prevent burglars from picking your lock. ...
- Opt for double-cylinder deadbolts. ...
- Use of keyless locks. ...
- What about opting for digital locks?
How to match keys to locks? ›
For this to work, the length of the pins must match the depth of the grooves in the key. To make a lock work with a different key, you need to disassemble the lock, remove the pins, and replace them with ones that match the cuts in the key you wish to use.
Will Ace Hardware rekey locks? ›
Do you have too many keys to get into your house? For $10.00 each, our qualified staff will rekey your Schlage, Kwikset, or Ace brand doorknob or deadbolt. If you have a newer Kwikset lock it may use SmartKey technology, which makes re-keying quick and easy. We'll gladly show you how to rekey those locks for free!
Should I key all my locks the same? ›
The Pros of Having all of Your Locks Keyed Alike
It is much cheaper to get another key cut. Although, some would advocate rekeying all the locks the lost key could open. Help Your Car's Ignition – It may not seem like much, but when your key ring has several keys, the weight can hurt your ignition.
Can any lock be keyed alike? ›
The most common locks to key alike are the front door, back door, side door, and garage door. However, it is also possible to key alike the rest of the locks in your home as long as they are within the same brand.