“Do It Yourself” Rekeyable Locks
The do it yourself rekeyable residential lock allows the consumer / home owner to retrofit standard tubular locksets with hardware that can be rekeyed, changing the key combination, using specialty tools or keys. This eliminates the requirement of locksmith services and affords the consumer the opportunity to change the keys that fit the lock. The smart key brand under the word mark weiser or kwikset is the easier of the two most popular rekeyables. The other being “security plus” by schlage. The weiser offering requires only a small tool; the original key and a new key to make the change. The schlage offering requires an adapted version of the original key (blue reset key cut the same as existing user key), a second blue reset key with new combination, and a set of new user keys that are the same as the new blue reset key. These systems require the consumer to purchase separately the components to rekey the locks. Negotiating these purchases through building centre staff that are often unfamiliar with the systems ends up making “do it yourself” rekeying too labyrinthine a task for the average consumer.
The products from weiser / kwikset and schlage are prone to key cylinder failure, causing potential lockout conditions. There is a distinct problem with the rekeyability of these items. The lack of product support in the field results in expensive service calls for consumers. The introduction of rekeyable locks to the public through home building supply centers has been an abject failure.
