Lock DIY?
I have two deadbolts on my front door, one of which is a surface-mount Segal double-cylinder lock. I’d like to change the keys following construction and I’m wondering how difficult it is to replace the cylinders, whether replacement cylinders are readily available from Segal, and how difficult of a job this is. Since the lock…
I have two deadbolts on my front door, one of which is a surface-mount Segal double-cylinder lock. I’d like to change the keys following construction and I’m wondering how difficult it is to replace the cylinders, whether replacement cylinders are readily available from Segal, and how difficult of a job this is. Since the lock is already installed it seems like it’s a matter of taking out some screws, popping out the old cylinders, and replacing the screws but I haven’t done this before. Also, I’m not finding a lot of Segal replacement cylinders online, which may be due to the company being acquired and products being made under license by another company. Can I use other brand cylinders? Anyone familiar with security pros/cons of surface mounted vs. mortise deadbolts? Also, are double cylinders sold as a unit or do I just buy two singles? Thanks.
thanks everyone
Pretty sure IMBY is right – violates fire code to have a lock that could trap someone inside. Likely nobody will bother you about that & you can get the cylinder rekeyed. But it would be a drag to forget to leave the key in the inside lock and have you or someone else in a panic trying to get out while the house is on fire.
Oh really, illegal? It’s less than a foot below a glass window in the door, which is my guess for why they used a 2-cylinder. Would prefer single despite lower security but not sure that’s possible. Was planning to leave the key in the inside lock except when away on vacation. Already accidentally locked someone inside.
You can try taking the entire lock set to a locksmith and have him re-key the cylinders or buy another set entirely. The labor might be the same as a new lock set. If you switch brands the hole pattern may be different. Most old time Brooklyn hardware stores will stock Segal brand.
By the way, double cylinder locks are illegal on all exit doors.
What SS said. Very often, a locksmith will rekey the cylinder while you wait. In terms of removing and replacing cylinder, a very easy DIY job. Just pay attention when loosening and retightening setscrews.
Earlier in the year I had all the cylinders changed on my exterior doors (5 in total). I dropped by my local hard ware store and one of the guys who works there just came over to my house, checked out what he needed, went back to hardware store to get supplies and then returned and changed everything. He charged me $30/lock plus cost of the materials. Much cheaper than a locksmith! Email me and I’ll send you his info if you’d like.
By the way, the one time we tried to change a cylinder ourselves (yes, it does seem easy!) – every once in a while the key would just not open the door. A royal pain. I called the same guy from earlier in the year – he came over and after taking a peek told us we’d used the wrong interior plate, so the whole mechanism was “slipping.” Fixed this for us for a reasonable rate.
Anyway, whatever you decide to do, good luck!
Take the lock off the door and bring it to a locksmith.
They can do this easily.
It will be done and back on the door in a couple of hours.