This article was written for people whose financial capabilities are limited and do not allow them to call a locksmith to replace the lock, its core or cylinder, or who simply do not want to trust a stranger to work with the door lock.
Previously, in the nineties, it became popular to install an additional door in front of the entrance for greater security from intruders. The doors were of a wide variety, made of two to three millimeter steel sheets and had barn locks. But in the process of evolution, doors and locks have been improved, and now there are a huge number of their types for any income and need.
Naturally, we will not consider all types, but will focus on the most popular and widespread due to their cost - the so-called “Chinese” doors. Chinese doors, when handled carefully, last quite a long time, but some of their elements still become unusable with use.
There are many reasons leading to replacing the lock core. It happens that due to severe wear of the core mechanism, the key cannot be inserted well; sometimes, on the contrary, the key is very difficult to get out of the lock, or the owner of the apartment has simply lost the keys and is afraid for the safety of things in the apartment. In such cases, there is no need to change the entire lock; it is quite possible to replace the core - its separate part. Replacing the lock core is quite enough, and you will save a lot on the lock, and the job of replacing it is very simple.
Typically, lock cores of all types and sizes are sold at construction markets and stores selling locks and hardware. The abundance of sizes is amazing, so you need to choose the one you need based on a sample taken from a Chinese door. The seller or manager will accurately measure the distance from the end of the core to the rotary pawl and select the necessary analogue. On the spot, it is appropriate to ask the seller whether you are purchasing a durable model, because now there are many manufacturers like mushrooms, but few quality ones.
Let's look at the whole process in order: replacing the lock core on a door with your own hands
To carry out the work, we will need tools - a Phillips screwdriver (bit number PH2), hands and 20 minutes of free time. Yes, you heard right, we only need a screwdriver and that’s it. In rare exceptions, another bit is needed - a slot 3 millimeters long. But this is only when the Chinese installed regular mounting screws, and not with a Phillips head.
So, replacing the core of a lock or core in a Chinese door begins with the presence of someone else in the apartment besides you, because after dismantling the lock and taking out the core, you will go to the market, and it is impossible to leave an open apartment unattended. If you close the door, it will be difficult to open it from the outside without having something square on hand to push back the tab/latch on the door handle.
Having collected our thoughts and cast aside fear, we sit down next to the problematic lock and study the number of screws that will have to be unscrewed. In the case of typical Chinese doors- these are two screws with inside locks holding the rear trim panel with the handle in the assembled position.
Unscrew two screws. We are not afraid if it takes a long time to twist, because they are long and go through the entire door, holding the door handles together from the outside and inside like a sandwich. Having unscrewed the two screws, put them aside, and with careful, swaying movements, remove the inner door handle on the bar, holding the outer one, because it is no longer secured and will fall. A square pin (square) is inserted into the door handles, which we also take out and put aside.
Next, look at the place where the key is inserted. We find a protective cup on the cylinder or core of the lock on the outside, and in some cases on the inside if the keys are inserted into the lock from both sides. Unscrew the screws securing the protective cups. Typically two to four screws are installed. After unscrewing them, set them aside.
Having completed these procedures, we see that the core of the lock has almost been removed. The only thing that keeps her going seat- this is one screw per end strip doors. Unscrew it and try it get the core of the castle. In cases where remove the lock core If it doesn’t work, insert the key into it and make about one-eighth of a turn in the direction of opening the lock. After this, the core is removed easily and without unnecessary effort. This is not wear and tear of the core, just another type of protection of the lock from knocking out the core with a hammer.
Having removed the faulty cylinder, we go to the market or to the store to buy the lock core. Try not to close the door; place a screwdriver in the doorway to prevent a draft from closing it. Please note that the larva or door lock core Comes with five keys. Be sure to consult with the seller or manager whether you are buying a quality product, and just in case, agree on the possibility of a return if it does not fit.
After you have bought the core, replacing the lock core occurs in the reverse order
We take one of the keys, insert it into the new lock core and make a full turn of the key. If the pawl does not fit into the machined groove, then turn the key until the core pawl coincides with the cylinder body.
Next, pay attention to the hole for the fastening screw on the core, and insert it into the lock so that the hole in the end of the door and the hole on the core coincide, that is, they are on the same level. We take the screw from the end and tighten it, securing the core in the lock. It is important not to overtighten the screw, as excess tension leads to jamming of the cylinder.
By tightening the end screw, we fasten door handles on both sides of the lock, again without tightening them with screws too much. Any excess force on the screws will make it difficult for the core axis to rotate, and, as a result, it will be difficult to rotate the key.
Having assembled these parts of the lock together, we take the square pin from the door handles and insert it back into the handle. We insert the assembled unit into square hole lock so that the bar from the lock bolt (a small bolt rotating full turn under a push handle, responsible for opening/closing one rectangular bolt) sits in its seat.
Next, we put on the outer door handle, take the screws of our “sandwich” and tighten them, hitting the threaded holes on the back of the outer handle. Again, no extra pressure is needed in the threads. Having assembled the entire lock on the door, take the keys and try to open/close the lock mechanism several times. If the lock operates with force, then one of the screws needs to be loosened a quarter turn.
In conclusion of the article I would like to wish you less problems with locks, keys and good mood!
TO cylinder lock you always need a larva. It contains a secret mechanism, it is responsible for reliable blocking the door and its design will allow you to protect your property from unauthorized entry. Replacing the lock mechanism may be necessary if it fails or because you have lost one of the keys. There can be many reasons for failure: from a break-in attempt to incorrect installation of the lock. For example, if during its operation the crossbars rub against door frame, then the cylinder will fail much faster.
Our range
According to reviews and the opinion of craftsmen, cylinders Apecs, Bulat, Trodos, Zamkoff, Zenit-Khimmash, ALLYUR are among the strongest and secure devices. They are unpretentious, they are not spoiled by moisture, temperature changes and dirt. These brands produce many series of cylinders. They differ in material, security class, number of pins and security combination. Each series has unique protection against drilling and picks. The more reliable the cylinder, the higher its price.
What do you need to know when choosing door lock cylinders?
Cylinders are:
classic;
oval;
for overhead locks.
They can also have different configurations on the outside and inside.
There are:
- Key-key, when the cylinder is opened with a key on one side and the other.
- Spinner key, with outside key, with internal turntable.
- Key rod, for electromechanical rim locks.
Our offer
In our online store we have cylinders for overhead and mortise locks on sale. The Order company sells a wide selection of cylinder mechanisms at the most reasonable cost. Contact us, we will promptly process your application and send the goods anywhere in Russia.
The key to protecting your doors is a quality lock cylinder. With a thoughtful approach, the secret, which is another name for the lock cylinder or cylinder, can protect you from almost any break-ins and thefts.
The lock cylinder is important element castle Its quality is affected by:
- Complexity of grooves;
- Alloy quality.
Types of cylinders
- By type of castle. If the lock is padlocked, a special padlock is used. If it is mortise, then it is mortise;
- According to the number of holes for the key. When mortise lock There are 2 types of cylinders. The first type is characterized by the fact that the door is locked with a key on both sides. The second differs in that on the inside of the door there will not be a key hole, but a special handle for locking;
- Along the length of the lock cylinder. Usually depends on the thickness of the door.
Our services
A high-quality lock cylinder is the key to the safety of your home. On our website you will find many options for the lock cylinder and choose the best one for you. The VashZamok company is distinguished by a guarantee of product quality and stability in the market. To save your time, we offer delivery options.
The question of replacing a lock sooner or later arises for almost any owner of an apartment or office. This happens when it fails due to a breakdown or loss of the key, due to the end of its service life, or when the tenant changes. In most cases, the door lock cylinder is replaced, which is much easier than installing a new locking mechanism.
What is a lock cylinder?
The mechanism responsible for the secrecy of the lock is called the cylinder, core or secret. It is she who is responsible for security, the possibility of unauthorized opening and penetration of uninvited guests into the premises. A key is inserted into the cylinder and turned. At the same time, the pins inside it line up in a certain combination, and the lock opens. Incorrectly aligned pins, or pins, will not allow the locking bolt to move, and the door, in this case, will remain closed.
IN modern designs cylinders, pins are replaced with washers, rotating blocks or movable probes. But regardless of the filling, the secrecy of the lock cylinder will depend on the number of components and the accuracy of their manufacture.
Not all existing locking mechanisms installed on entrance doors have the ability to be partially replaced; some locks have to be removed entirely. For example, code (lever) mechanisms are integrated directly into the lock body, so replacing the door lock cylinder in this case is impossible; you will have to remove it and insert a new one.
There are several types of the most popular locks for entrance doors:
- cylinder;
- disk;
- cruciform;
- pin;
- especially complex.
Locks for entrance doors can be overhead or more reliable - mortise, with a locking system with a key on both sides or having a turntable on the inside instead of a key. They are also divided into upper and lower, only with a locking function and with additional fixation using a latch. The material and number of combinations of the secret depends on:
- reliability and ability to resist mechanical stress;
- wear resistance;
- inadmissibility of key matching.
The door lock cylinder is manufactured in three security levels:
- low – from 100 to 10 thousand combinations. Made from low-strength materials with a simple key profile;
- average – from 5 to 50 thousand combinations. Is different complex mechanism opening, but the quality of execution is not always the best;
- the highest - from 100 thousand combinations to infinity. The manufacturing materials are of high quality, and the assembly accuracy is high.
Each of the locking mechanisms has its own design features, which determine the process and the possibility of replacing its larvae.
Cylinder locks
Similar design castles appeared in the mid-19th century. Due to their simplicity and ease of use, cylinder mechanisms quickly became widespread and are still the most popular today.
Cylinder locking mechanisms are manufactured to the European DIN standard or the RIM standard, which is now produced in small quantities. Larvae different manufacturers DIN standard are practically interchangeable. Their choice depends on the thickness of the door leaf and the location of the fastening screw in relation to the inner and outer plane of the door.
Cylinders can be divided:
- to the "key-turn" system. From the inside, the door opens using a rotary handle (turntable), which can be easily felt in the dark in case of an emergency or if the room is filled with smoke during a fire. This type of door lock cylinder has a movable cam that transmits movement to the bolts. As a rule, its position requires adjustment to the site;
- to the key-key system. The door leaf opens on both sides using a key. Such a secret is convenient when it is necessary to lock the door so that children or sick elderly people do not open it from the inside. In addition, the internal key inserted into the keyhole can be used as additional protection. It will be impossible to open the door from the outside;
- per half cylinder. The door can only be opened from the outside. A half-cylinder is installed on doors in rooms where there is no likelihood of people being present. These could be small utility rooms or special buildings, for example, a weapons room;
- to a mechanism with a gear. The transmission of movement from the key to the bolt occurs more smoothly through a gear, the number of teeth of which depends on the model and manufacturer.
It should be noted that the process of replacing such a cylinder with a gear is complex, and only a specialist can help in this matter. To install a new cylinder, it is necessary to dismantle the entire lock with a similar mechanism.
RIM standard cylinders are not found on sale as often as in Soviet time, A modern mechanisms European manufacturers are not particularly popular. In this regard, secrets for them are quite difficult to find. Their design resembles a half-cylinder of the DIN standard, with a difference in the method of fastening - the models in question are overhead.
DIY cylinder replacement
You can remove the unnecessary door lock cylinder and then put a new one in its place yourself. The process itself will take 15-20 minutes, no more. And the tools you will need:
- construction tape;
- crosshead screwdriver.
First you need to find a screw that serves as a fastener for the cylinder in the overall lock mechanism. Typically it is located on lock plate at the end of the door leaf. Its location can be symmetrical or asymmetrical relative to the thickness of the door, which depends on the model and manufacturer of the locking mechanism. By rotating the screwdriver counterclockwise, the screw is completely unscrewed and the cylinder is removed.
If the cylinder begins to move, but continues to “sit” in the socket, you need to insert the key into the cylinder and turn it a few degrees in a clockwise direction.
Now you should pull the mechanism towards you or press on it from the opposite side. The cylinder will easily come out of its socket. The fact is that a movable cam or a flag present in its design can interfere with the release of the cylinder, and turning the key will hide the cam in the cylinder body.
It is necessary to measure the total thickness of the door leaf along with the upholstery or insulation, if additional door cladding was performed. In the absence of any changes, you can focus on the dimensions of the removed cylinder, which, of course, is easier. In order to determine which door lock cylinder you need to purchase, you also need to measure the diameter of the removed cylinder.
Don't forget about the location of the fixing screw! It can be located either in the middle of the end or located closer to one of its sides. Moreover, in an asymmetrical position, you should remember which of the distances is smaller - to the outer or to the inner surface of the door.
It would be more correct to take the removed cylinder with you when purchasing a lock cylinder. But if this is not possible, you should focus on accurate measurements. The color of the new mechanism will also play an important role in the choice, otherwise door leaf it will not look aesthetically pleasing.
The purchased cylinder is installed in place of the previous cylinder and secured with a screw. The main thing here is to clearly get into the hole intended for fastening it. Slightly moving the lock in the plane of the lock and simultaneously attaching it to the fastening element will help cope with this task. The key, in this case, must be fixed in closed position. After this, the lock is checked for functionality, first with the door open, and then with the door closed.
The opening and closing of the lock should be smooth and silent.
Disc locks
The main difference between these mechanisms and other cylinder locks is their design: instead of pins or pins, there are movable disks that align when the locking mechanism is opened at a certain angle. The key has a semicircular cross-section with cuts located on it corresponding to the position of the disks.
A design feature of the disc lock cylinder is the possibility of replacing it only with a “related” cylinder. But purchasing it is currently difficult due to the fact that finding a cylinder for a disc lock is quite difficult. That's why the best option will become complete replacement locking mechanism.
Cross locks
Such lock designs use pins that line up along four edges inside the cylinder when the key is turned. Phillips cylinders have many combinations, but the lock can be easily opened using a Phillips screwdriver.
Pin locks
Pin cylinder lock cylinders are produced for two types of keys:
- English;
- perforated.
In the first case, the lock is not particularly reliable, and the second can only be opened by drilling the cylinder or knocking it out, which is quite difficult and time-consuming. The lock core is replaced using the technology described above.
Particularly complex locks
Manufacturers are constantly working to improve locks, primarily their secrets. Modern technologies allow us to make unique mechanisms that are quite reliable and durable. By purchasing high quality products brands known all over the world, you can avoid the procedure of replacing the door lock cylinder. But this need may arise if one of the household or office workers loses the key.
Particularly complex locking mechanisms use:
- armor inserts;
- titanium case;
- more than a million combinations;
- pins made of refractory metal;
- floating elements on the key.
It is impossible to find a key for such a lock, but replacing the cylinder is quite possible. True, it will be quite expensive.
Helpful information
Mortise lock with latch for cylinder mechanism
A mortise lock with a latch for a cylinder mechanism is one of the most common types of locking devices. It is quite reliable and easy to use. This design allows for the possibility of replacing the cylinder, which will save on the purchase of a new locking mechanism.
As a rule, the reliability and quality of the internal cylinder generally determines the reliability of the lock itself. Therefore, you need to buy the internal mechanism only from trusted manufacturers, while taking into account technical specifications cylinder. They have proven themselves well in the presented segment trade marks Elementis, Roto – TBM-Market catalog includes options different sizes, With different types larvae.
Entrance door lock cylinder buy in Moscow
The cylinder mechanism with a turntable is considered quite popular. It can be mounted on the entrance or interior door. But more often the cylinder mechanism for the lock is selected for entrance doors, because at a relatively low cost it provides reliable protection from burglary. The turntable is a special rotary handle that opens the lock from the inside without a key. At the same time, from the outside, a cylinder mortise door lock with a latch can only be opened with a key, like any other standard lock.
To buy a door lock cylinder, you must first measure the total length cylinder mechanism. You can do this yourself using a regular ruler. If you are planning a replacement internal structure in an already installed lock, it is better to take out the core and pick up a new one in the store that matches its size and design. If you have any difficulties in this matter, we are ready to advise you and help you with your choice.
We try to create the most complete range possible, so we are guaranteed to select the core for your lock. If necessary, we can offer high-quality door handles presented in the next category.