Kwikset Cylinder Removal

Our locksmith company got a call recently to re-key two Kwikset key-in-knob cylinders. I used my A-l Quik Pull to pull the first cylinder and replaced it with a ready-keyed cylinder that I usually keep in my service van. It looked like the job was going o be as easy as I thought and I would be on my way to the next job. I used my tool to work on the second cylinder and snapped the blade on it. I put a new blade on the tool and tried again. The cylinder wouldn't move at all.

I took the knob-set off the door, pulled the spindle, inserted a Kwikset removal tool and bent it trying to get the cylinder out. I got another tool out and tried again, but without any luck. I told the customer that if the cylinder won't come out, most likely I would have to replace the Knob-set. He said that it was OK and that the cylinder probably wouldn't come out because it "fell" out one day when he unlocked it, tried to put it back in and it wouldn't stay. He said his son super-glued the cylinder in.

I got a new lock out from my inventory, keyed it to the new key and left. This job took me nearly an hour more than it should have because I kept “trying" to get the cylinder out of the knob. Learn from my mistake, don't waste time trying to do something the traditional way if it doesn't work the way it's supposed to. Check out the following link if you need a similar locksmith service in your area.