Keys

[kurt]

Anyone got any personal experience with the Kwikset SmartKey or the Schlage SecureKey?

I've read all the lock pickers sites, the allegations of easy lock bumping and that stuff, but I'm looking for anyone that's worked with the stuff.

[Tom Raymond]

The Schlages are bad. So bad that several of the bigger wholesalers dropped them. Schlage cylinders have gotten pretty cheesy in general. I had one explode on a reversible lever when I popped it to switch handing. $100 lock set was scrap before I got installed.

[kurt]

Yes. Thanks. I've got the various locksmith types all pitching me the pitch on their stupid POS hardware, and my experience with Schlage (lately) has been they're just another chunk of metal.....might as well go Defiant from the Orange Box.

I'm attracted to the SmartKey thing because I have to change out locks every time a tenant moves out, and it would be nice to just do a quick 3 minute change instead of going full bore hardware swap.

The locksmith thing has gotten out of control. They stick in proprietary stuff that I can't fiddle with because only they have the magic key. They want a few hundred to change out a tumbler nowadays. Can't handle that.

[Tom Raymond]

Pay for one full set of good locks, plus a few extra. Have everything master keyed and rotate them.

Yale commercial stuff should last 7-10 years, depending on use/abuse and turn over.

[kurt]

You know, that's a good idea. It's a 5 unit building, with a mix of jimmy proof on the front and combo entry/deadbolts on the rear. Get a dozen setups, change them out as necessary.

Why didn't I think of that?

[gtblum]

It was a good idea. That is, before you guys told the world about it. []