Looking for an easy way to rekey a lock? There may be various reason for including safety and convenience, for which you might need rekeying services. Although, you can call out the best professional around you yet, the homeowners can carry out this work easily at home too. Check how;
Step1. A rekeying kit: You will first need to buy a rekeying kit. These are easily accessible from a local hardware store near your home. Without these kits, carrying out the rekey process is next to impossible. And once purchased, you can use them for various types of locks.
Step2. Start with wire tool: Along with your rekeying it you will get a wire tool. All you need to do is first insert this wire into the knob hole, which is located in between the actual knob and the door. As soon the clip gets in, knob will pull off the door.
Now with the key in the door, keep on turning till it gets blocked and then remove the lock cylinder.
Step3. Take off the ring from cylinder: For removing the retainer ring off the lock cylinder, you will need a retaining tool. It is generally available in the rekeying kit. Once, the ring is parted, keep it aside for later use.
Step4. Remove the cylinder plug: With the help of an old key placed in the handle, turn it in any of the directions (left or right) and insert the cylinder plug (available in kit) back to the cylinder. Now, push it through the cylinder, with a constant pressure on the cylinder plug (Take care the pins in the top of the cylinder should not fall out).
Step5. Keep the old pins out: Now remove the old pins from the cylinder and insert the new key. The color of the pins on the cylinder should match with the colors present on the rekeying kit. Start picking the pins with the needle-nose pliers and put them on the matching slots of the cylinder. With correct pins, fill up all the holes in the cylinder.
Step6. You are almost done: Make sure the pins are all in the correct spots. With the cylinder plug back in the cylinder, turn the new key and reattach the retainer. Also, test the re-keyed lock to assure whether it locks and unlocks easily with the new key or not!