So you are thinking about re-keying a Schlage lock on your own. Below are some steps provided by the great people at Seattle Locksmith Pros out of Seattle, WA that will help you in the process. Be sure to call a professional locksmith if you have trouble as it is very important to do this correctly.

The 1st Step:

A) You will want to put the key into you Schlage lock and then turn it about 90 degrees clockwise to around a 3 o’clock position on a traditional clock.

B) Now you will want to locate what is called the catch (normally a little metal button on the left side of the lock) on the door knob’s stem piece and then use the little front tab on your key gauge which is included with your new re-keying kit so that you can push in your catch to release the knob.

C) Pull the knob off and continue to step 2.

2nd Step

A) Now you will need to turn the key about 90 degrees ( this being counterclockwise, to a 12 o’clock position on a traditional clock hand) and then slowly pull the key out.

B) Once this is done you can release the lock’s cylinder to let the tail end of that cylinder to drop inside the knob itself.

C) What we call the key-way (where you put the key in the lock), from a frontal view, should now be a little lower and also on an angle as well.

D) You can now push the cylinder through and out of the backside of your knob.

E) The cylinder cap should depress as you push to safely fit it through the knob of your Schlage door lock.

3rd Step

A) Go ahead and Push the C clip (also known as the retaining clip) off the edge of the cylinder using the U shape which is on your key gauge.

B) No put in the new key and turn the key in the lock 90 degrees clockwise.

C) This is where you will use the plug follower (plastic rod inside the re-keying kit you have) insert it into the rear side of the lock cylinder to push the key-way and key out the front of the lock itself.

D) Remember though you do not want to remove the plug follower from within the cylinder housing. The plug follower should always be able to hold the bottom pins and also the springs in place.

4th Step

A) Be sure to work over a large area (like a kitchen table or island), no you should go ahead and turn the plug (the part with the key) upside down so that you can dump out the bottom pins easily and safely and then place in the new bottom pins into the plug as well.

B) You must make sure that the new pins are totally flush with the plug.
Tip: (If a pin is not totally flush just remove it and then try a another pin that is able to sit flush.)

C) It is now time to insert your plug in the cylinder lock housing while gently forcing the plug follower to fall out the backside.

D) Now insert the C clip onto the cylinder & remove the key

5th Step

A) Now you can easily push down on the cap on top of the cylinder lock piece with your finger so it will fit back in the knob.

B) You can now line up the cap with the slot right inside your knob sleeve.

C) Place the cylinder inside of the knob then insert the new key and safely turn it 90 degrees.

D) Now accurately align the catch button with the slot on your shank and then use the key gauge to press down the catch button.

E) Last but not least go ahead and slide the knob onto the shank. Now rotate the key 90 degrees counterclockwise (to a 12 o’clock position on a traditional clock) and now remove the key.

Videos About Re-Keying Home Schlage Locks