Mark's Locksmith
Rekeying a lock involves changing the lock's internal pins or tumblers to accept a new key while rendering the old key useless. Here are the steps to rekey a lock:
Purchase a rekeying kit: You can purchase a rekeying kit that matches your lock's brand and model from a hardware store or online.
Remove the lock from the door: To rekey a lock, you need to remove it from the door. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the lock in place, then gently pull the lock out of the door.
Take out the cylinder: Once you have the lock out of the door, you need to take out the cylinder. Use a cylinder follower, which comes with the rekeying kit, to push the cylinder out of the lock body.
Remove the old pins: Dump out the old pins from the cylinder and set them aside.
Insert the new key: Insert the new key that you want to use into the cylinder.
Insert new pins: Insert new pins from the rekeying kit into the cylinder according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to use the right size pin for each corresponding key cut.
Reassemble the lock: Once you have inserted the new pins, reassemble the lock in reverse order, including the cylinder and the lock body. Make sure that the lock is functioning correctly by testing the new key.
Congratulations! You have successfully rekeyed a lock. Remember to dispose of the old pins and keys, and keep the new keys in a secure location.
Purchase a rekeying kit: You can purchase a rekeying kit that matches your lock's brand and model from a hardware store or online.
Remove the lock from the door: To rekey a lock, you need to remove it from the door. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the lock in place, then gently pull the lock out of the door.
Take out the cylinder: Once you have the lock out of the door, you need to take out the cylinder. Use a cylinder follower, which comes with the rekeying kit, to push the cylinder out of the lock body.
Remove the old pins: Dump out the old pins from the cylinder and set them aside.
Insert the new key: Insert the new key that you want to use into the cylinder.
Insert new pins: Insert new pins from the rekeying kit into the cylinder according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to use the right size pin for each corresponding key cut.
Reassemble the lock: Once you have inserted the new pins, reassemble the lock in reverse order, including the cylinder and the lock body. Make sure that the lock is functioning correctly by testing the new key.
Congratulations! You have successfully rekeyed a lock. Remember to dispose of the old pins and keys, and keep the new keys in a secure location.