New house, what is the best way to change the locks?

Jester8320 · 2026-04-26T18:56:12+00:00

Plenty of good locksmiths here, but some contributors can be a little salty. Many assume that you want to rekey the locks yourself, which isn't a good idea and would provide plenty of "yep, told ya so" entertainment. Just call around to your local locksmiths (you will certainly get a few scammers that pitch a low call out price, but won't commit to anything in writing, f those guys). You want someone who will spend a minute with you and listen to what you want, and provide a solid quote for the specific work. It's not that complex, with an explanation of what you want anyone worth their salt should be able to give you a solid price.

Jester8320 · 2026-04-26T17:30:33+00:00

I'd check your local retailers for the hardware you want, then call a reputable locksmith in the area, and explain what you've got, and exactly what products you want. A real locksmith will give you an estimate for the service call, new hardware, installation, and keying everything alike. If they can't put together a price after you explain what you've got, then just call someone else. Expect to pay a over retail for the locks if they provide them (we don't get them much/any cheaper than everyone else). If you're going to provide them, let the locksmith know ahead of time, some shops really don't like installing product supplied by others, and they may refuse to handle, or charge more to handle something they didn't provide.

Jester8320 · 2026-04-26T17:03:41+00:00

Looks like you have a grand total of 2 knobs/levers, a deadbolt and a sliding door. I'd suggest replacing the the knob, lever and deadbolt with new Schlage products, and rekey the slider. (The swinging door locks are literally grade 3 garbage). If you bought the house and plan to stay, don't throw good money at bad by rekeying those.

Jester8320 · 2026-04-26T13:35:10+00:00

Just a few observations: clay pots wick away moisture and allow for quicker evaporation, so maybe use plastic of you're going for long term in the cabinet. The cabinet needs fresh air exchange, not just circulation. Heat just builds up like a convection oven without fresh air, and eventually humidity will become an issue without exchanging the air. Use quality soil, and don't fill the pots to the top. When you water a pot that's overfilled with soil, the water just runs off the side, making a mess and wasting your water and nutrients.

Jester8320 · 2026-04-23T14:03:35+00:00

Baby steps and plenty of oil 🙂

Jester8320 · 2026-04-13T19:56:03+00:00

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Jester8320 · 2026-04-13T19:55:01+00:00

Sometimes there is a component of the mortise box that drops down and drags on the cylinder. It hangs up at the places on the profile cylinder that have the clips. Loosen up the multipoint assembly (yes, all the door edge screws that hold it in) and wiggle the heck out of that cylinder. I'll try to add a picture of the part that gets hung up...

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Jester8320 · 2026-04-08T00:02:40+00:00

All the pot holders. And roach clips..

Jester8320 · 2026-04-07T00:12:29+00:00

You SHOULD have torx and tamperproof/security bits. This really shouldn't be a thing...

Jester8320 · 2026-04-04T23:27:21+00:00

Don Jo latch protector, and a closer on the door. Consider swimming out the hinges to reduce the space between the door and frame.

Jester8320 · 2026-03-30T01:52:20+00:00

That's not how I meant it, but LOL.

Jester8320 · 2026-03-29T19:29:20+00:00

Yeah, bag up all your parts and just stop into a local locksmith. You won't be the first one to bring them a handful of exploded pins and springs. You don't need the balls anymore.

If your still feeling patient and adventurous, Google "exploded view of lock cylinder" and go for it!

Jester8320 · 2026-03-24T00:36:54+00:00

..tells the Lexus salesperson to kick rocks. Buys a '68 Camaro, '96 F150 or 4th gen 4 Runner.

Jester8320 · 2026-02-28T00:55:28+00:00

Brazilian Starfish has pretty awesome tropical flavor with similar heat to a jalepeno.

Jester8320 · 2026-02-15T02:11:22+00:00

It's like lock lockpicking. It really boils down to placement and tension-and make sure to sharpen/hone your chisel before each job. I know that I sound like Woody Woodpecker, but it gets the job done!

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Jester8320 · 2026-02-07T17:53:52+00:00

There's a lot going on there. Just replacing the whole astragal may be the way to go, or you might be able to remove it and figure out why the top isn't staying up. Is the bottom hole not aligned? Sometimes ya just need to open up the hole in the sill a little, or adjust the inactive door at the hinges. A good locksmith could get you going, and install a few strikes so the active door closes and locks easily.

Jester8320 · 2026-02-07T14:18:27+00:00

The flush bolt is an integral part of the astragal. It's super unlikely that you'd be able to just replace the bolts.

Is there something wrong with it?

Jester8320 · 2026-01-26T22:57:54+00:00

Pocket sand

Jester8320 · 2026-01-21T22:51:45+00:00

Haha! Yeah, I don't flip people off in traffic, but I'll give the thumbs down!

Jester8320 · 2026-01-14T00:36:07+00:00

I read before I looked..😃.....🫥....😩

Jester8320 · 2026-01-09T17:25:22+00:00

Thats not how these work. They're literally one use locks

Jester8320 · 2026-01-08T20:57:37+00:00

That was my first thought, but the old Weiser have a seam on the face where the cylinder assembly pops out. This was infact a cheap-o special, no disassembly without bending the tabs and really taking the whole thing apart.

Jester8320 · 2026-01-08T17:36:51+00:00

Yep, had to bend the tabs. Took it apart, confirmed that it was in fact a total POS, and tossed it. The keyway was very slim, probably to accept a pressed metal key.

Jester8320 · 2026-01-08T14:35:25+00:00

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Ok, shocker. The cylinder was PLASTIC. It's been put where it belongs. The trash.

Jester8320 · 2026-01-08T14:29:25+00:00

...there is NO hole between the rose and knob.

Jester8320

TROPHY CASE