Getting a new lock

[Craig234]

So, I lost my house key. Looks like I need to get a new key or lock.

What's best? I want to hire this done.

- Hire a locksmith to come out and make a new key
- Hire a locksmith to come out and install a new lock
- Hire someone else to come out and install a new lock
- Forget the front door lock and buy a security screen door with a lock
- If I do whatever, what should I consider, e.g., type of lock? Should I consider an alternative to a key like a keypad? Auto-locking would be nice.

If nothing else I'll call around looking for services and prices.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Jesus... Here we go again. Did you look in the bathroom under all the boxes and empty tuna fish cans?

Go to Walmart, Home Depot or another hardware store and buy a new doorknob or knob and deadbolt combination pack. Install them in 15 minutes. Under $50 unless you decide to get fancy.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant...-Cylinder-Deadbolt-Combo-Pack-B86L1/100352219

 

[dphantom]

do what Carson says.

And you only have 1 key???

 

[Craig234]

do what Carson says.

And you only have 1 key???

Carson? And it looks that way.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Just go to hardware store and make another duplicate based on one of your existing copies of the key?

Or did you lose the "only" copy of the key? in which case, just replace the lock and get extra copies made of the new one.

 

[Craig234]

Just go to hardware store and make another duplicate based on one of your existing copies of the key?

Or did you lose the "only" copy of the key? in which case, just replace the lock and get extra copies made of the new one.

I thought I lost the only copy of the key, and was discussing what to replace it with.

But I just found I have another key, so no need right now. Wouldn't mind suggestions for a keyless lock to do sometime though.

On another note, are there a lot of locksmith scammers?

I had a locksmith come open the lock - and then try to demand far more than I'd been quoted.

 

[WilliamM2]

I thought I lost the only copy of the key, and was discussing what to replace it with.

But I just found I have another key, so no need right now..

If you only have one key, you need to have another now. You might want to think about getting a key chain as well.

 

[Carson Dyle]

How did you not learn anything from the car key incident? After posting, I really thought we were being trolled, just for giggles.

A keypad lock might be a good idea for you, but it's almost a certainty that you'd forget the combination. You should be one of those people who has 15 copies of every key you own. Hide 10 sets outside around your property. Chances are good that you'll forget where you hid most of them, but there's always that hope. Then give a set to your neighbor, leave a set at work, mail a set to your mother.

 

[Craig234]

If you only have one key, you need to have another now. You might want to think about getting a key chain as well.

Ya, planning to get two duplicates made and put one with the car keys keyring. Still like to have a lock I can not have to remember to lock each time some time.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Still like to have a lock I can not have to remember to lock each time some time.

That would be just about the last thing you'd want. You'd end up locking yourself out of the house.

 

[Greenman]

This is the solution to all of your problems. If you lock yourself out of the house with this, move back in with your parents (sometimes you just have to know when to call it quits).
https://www.amazon.com/Digi-Keyless...9&sr=8-3&keywords=fingerprint+front+door+lock

 

[Skunk-Works]

You don't need to hire anyone to put in a new lock. They are really easy to install. Don't get a Kwickset though. Buy a Schlage or Medeco. Yale is good too.

A hobby of mine is to pick locks. No, not illegally.

 

[Skunk-Works]

As to never forgetting your keys again. I put va lock box in the shed in the backyard. It has a push button combination and I used 5 numbers as this is the maximum codes you can use mathematically. I had my Bro do the same thing for his house. I didn't use the hardware that came with it. Instead I drove 3" screws into the studs inside the shed to secure it.

Go to ebay and search for lock box and filter by cheapest and in the USA if you live in the U.S. They look like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Outdoor-Pa...394170?hash=item4671f1f97a:g:XYUAAOSwvD5Z--Pt

 

[spacejamz]

You don't need to hire anyone to put in a new lock. They are really easy to install. Don't get a Kwickset though. Buy a Schlage or Medeco. Yale is good too.

A hobby of mine is to pick locks. No, not illegally.

In most break ins, the door is just kicked in so the brand of lock really doesn't matter...pretty scary that for most homes, the only thing keeping your door locked is about 1/2" strip of wood between the bolt hole and the frame and done with just 1" screws...

If you want to better secure your home, you need to install one of these kits on each of your external doors...there are pieces to reinforce the hinges and the door jamb....

https://www.amazon.com/Door-Armor-MAX-Complete-Reinforcement/dp/B00E9ZGWNQ