Quality Alerts
1. Kwikset Smart key residential grade door knobs and levers may not be the best choice.
A. Smart key technology is a wonderful idea. This system by Kwikset (available at Lowe's and Home Depot) allows the homeowner to change the key to the locks without having to call a locksmith. In order to do this, you need a new Kwikset key and the small change tool. A homeowner can change the lock in seconds. However, the earlier edition of this lock was easily compromised by a tool made by Major Mfg which, once inserted into the lock, easily opened the lock by breaking an internal part. Your existing key would still work the lock, but further re keying became impossible. Hypothetically speaking, once the criminals found out about the tool, they could enter your home without your knowing.
B. Kwikset has rebuilt the Smart key cylinder to defeat the Major Mfg tool. However, it is being reported by locksmiths that some cylinders, when changed, tend to unlock with a "click" when the key is turned. This is not a click associated with the release of the locking function. It is the result of a lock "tumbler" being slightly out of perfect alignment. Also, it is being reported by some locksmiths that, during the change, some locks are being ruined. It is my belief that this technology will be thrown away. I love the Kwikset brand! But I would advise homeowners to buy the NON-Smart key technology.
C. My website is getting too many queries about Kwikset SmartKey technology failures. This is telling me that the product is of questionable quality. Too bad. This is a great concept. I would advise against this product as of 1/20/2010.
2. Schlage residential grade knobs and levers are using a new cylinder design that is proving to be unreliable.
Today's residential Schlage door knob or lever is not the Schlage my father had installed in 1972. His lasted for over 20 years. The doorknobs and levers being sold at hardware stores today are using a new cylinder that incorporates a floating cylinder cap. A cylinder cap is what holds the springs, top pins, and bottom pins within the cylinder shell and plug. The cap, however, is not staying on. Some locksmiths are turning down commercial re keying jobs where these locks have been installed because when master pins are used in the plugs, the caps are prone to flying off. But this problem is also found in non-master-keyed home locks. I have even seen new locks pop apart. This cylinder design is a disaster. If a customer asks for this lock to be installed, I offer no guarantee. This cylinder design, however, is not found in the deadbolt. If you need Schlage-keyed knobs or levers, ask your locksmith to replace the Kwikset cylinder with the Schlage-copy cylinder made by Kustom Key.
3. Kaba Ilco Simplex L5000 mechanical pushbutton lock may not be your best choice.
As a locksmith, I have installed quite a large number of these. However, Everyone of them went bad before the warranty expired. Some of these were replaced 3 or 4 times within a period of one year. Kaba Ilco kept saying they had upgraded and redesigned the product. Not once, but a number of times, so I was told by people in the customer service department. In my opinion, Kaba Ilco has had enough time to fix this product; and, because Kaba Ilco has embarrassed me professionally, I am not willing to risk my good name by selling the L5000. Opt instead for the L1000 but remember to specify the door handing. Better still is the Alarm Lock Trilogy 2 weatherized model. It is more expensive, but there are fewer moving parts and it can be installed on an outside door regardless of weather conditions.
4. Callin knob/lever latches are not holding up as well as Kwikset latches (switch them out).
They simply are not lasting very long. Usually, they freeze up and the door can no longer be opened. You can buy Kwikset latches and swap them out. Afterall, Callin does have the best looking, cost effective locks for your home. In order to unjamb the lock to open the door, you can either gently pry the door away from the jamb, if you have enough gap, or you have to use a screwdriver and hammer and do surgery to break up the latch. Of course, you must remove the lockset first. This is something that cannot be described, it must be seen. Ask your Lowe's employee how you remove the spindle from a kwikset lock. When the Callin latch is frozen, the outer knob cannot be removed easily or at all. The spindle must be removed first. Otherwise, a locksmith is going to charge you $100 or so to complete the repair.
5. Corbin Russwin ED6000 Series Rim Panic Bars.
Lately, I have been encountering problems with the Corbin Russwin 6000 series exit device. Oneof my clients use these bars in a factory. After six years, a number of them are coming apart. First, the trim screws are stripping out of the outside trim. This is causing the handle to fall off or be pulled off when a person pulls the door open. Second, it seems that the outside trim on these units does not often retract the rim latch sufficiently so that the latch clears the strike. This can cause a costly lock-out. Third, I have noticed advanced corrosion on outside door trims that were less than 3 months old. I would recommend that you ask your contractor for the Von Duprin 99 series instead.
6. Yale 5400 Series Levers (PB-5408-LN-606-LC)
I am seeing a number of these products failing very quickly. These are the grade 1 levers that are sold by Yale. One very large client of mine in Murfreesboro, TN, has a three year old building with an unacceptable number of these locks are going bad. The lever does not retract the latches enough to allow the doors to be opened properly. The result is that the doors cannot be opened at all. Before you have your contractor bid your building project, be diligent and research the different brands of locks that are available for your project. From what I am seeing, you will want to stay away from the Yale levers. Whichever lock you decide to install, insist on a lock with a nice warranty.
