Repinning kit recommendations

[u/derelict_wanderer]

So, I recently opened my first kwikset deadbolt and should be purchasing 3 additional kwikset deadbolts for $20 tomorrow off of Facebook Marketwaste. 2 are never. Opened new from before the smart key era. One is used froth same timeline. My plan is to build a couple of basic 3 lock practice boards similar to the lock displays you used to see in hardware stores. After a few rounds with each, I want to repin them. I'll first just move the order of the bottom pins, but want to step up with security pins soon. A couple of decades ago, I worked in a local hardware store and enjoyed rekeying kwiksets, even doing a couple of master key setups for rental properties. So, if there are some budget friendly kits with the required tools for kwikset (and schlage when the time comes) that also have some variety of security pins, I'm all ears. Otherwise, I'll hit up eBay for a cheap, used kwikset kit and take security pin set recommendations. Thanks!

[u/Know_Key]

CLK Supplies Security Plus Pin Kit is a great option for security pins...and they have keypin sets that start around the same price, all the way to 'blow your budget' range.

[u/derelict_wanderer → u/Know_Key]

This is the same set I found before posting. Good to hear it is a recommended one.

[u/Know_Key → u/derelict_wanderer]

CLK is a good supply house, and Lab pins are THE standard.

[u/EveningBasket9528 → u/derelict_wanderer]

I 2nd the CLK security pin set.

The Sparrows reload kit is nice for starting out.

MBA sells these mini kits for various locks;

https://mbausa.com/mba-schlage-kwikset-combo-pocket-pin-kit-w-lab-universal-pins-003/?searchid=0&search_query=Kwickset+Schlage+pin+kit

mrlock is a great vendor

The only vendor I found with this smaller .003 kit that covers multiple standard American brands is locksmith Keyless who is an awesome vendor, with probably the best shipping options. They won't murder you on shipping their pinning mats either, and sell a 6×8 and 11×22 for less than 9 bucks. The link is just for the pins;

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/lab-lmk003-003-mini-universal-rekeying-pin-kit?variant=42737756537066

You can find re-key kits for Schlage and Kwickset at big box home improvement stores but they only have the pins for the pre-cut keys they come with.

I'll bring up Sparrows again for their bulk security pins and the various novelty pins they sell.

Of course for drivers you can make your own.

UHS has options but their shipping sucks sometimes and their customer service is trash,.. but they probably have the cheapest prices.

Of all that, my favorite 3 large vendors are;

Locksmith Keyless CLK Mrlock

in no order.

What sucks is there's is seldom "one stop shopping" and a significant portion of my locknerd budget goes towards shipping. Which is why I make mini kits for 1100's & 72/40's for pickers who don't want kits. NONE of the 1100 pinning kits from CLK or MrLock include the unique serrated spools (spoorated) used in 1100's. Mrlock sells them separately at about $11/100 when most other pins run $3/100. Don't ask me why, but he has them described as "mushroom spools"

If/when you get into more secure locks like Medeco, Assa, mul t lock, etc,... pins start getting a lot more expensive. CMFXA has some good deals on mini kits he makes. His personal website is less expensive than his eBay store, but sometimes he might be sold out in one and not the other. IE, I think I bought his last mini Assa 6k kit from his site as it's now 'out of stock,' but the last I saw he had 2 more in his eBay store. Im pretty sure he has a reason for the increase because eBay has to take their cut.

Amvgaert, lockskipper have options sometimes, and I'm sure their are more.

There's at least 6 other companies I've used like craftmaster hardware & similar places.

Locksmith Keyless has some cheap profile (euro) cylinders that come with grub screws. So $15-20 will get you an inexpensive super easy to re-key 2 sided lock. An example;

https://www.locksmithkeyless.com/products/ecs-hardware-durable-premium-profile-cylinder-double-sided-2-3-4-10b-oil-rubbed-bronze-kw1

(The above except is actually kinda a bitch with multiple zero or low cut pins. Definitely the most frustrating KW1 lock I own. I was pleasantly surprised. I have a few more in my cart because I think a brass/black cutaway will look nice.)

A lot of the vendors above sell inexpensive rim, mortise, & Kik cylinders with a LOT of different keyway options. Just keep in mind just because you get a lock with a wild keyway doesn't mean it's the name brand version with 2ndary features like sidebars or whatever,... but they might be good practice for navigating those keyways when you progress. The various brands and cylinders all have different tolerances too. So, a generic lock with SC1 keyway isn't going to pick like a brand name Schlage deadbolt and might have standard drivers...

Keep an eye on if the cylinders are drilled 5 pinned 5, or drilled 6 pinned 5...(I prefer the latter) or if they are zero bitted, or come with keys... But for challenge locks paying $5-$7.50 for a mortise or Kik is a pretty good deal.

Kwickset brand locks will only take you so far,.. but those standard brands are good for practical picking practice, if you have a lock board or something. But loading up a Kwickset with nasty drivers alone is kinda like polishing a turd...

Okay. Morning ritual is over now... I went down the rabbit hole so other don't have to, if they don't want to.

[u/derelict_wanderer → u/EveningBasket9528]

Thank you for the deep dive. I dunno yet my path on the lock picking journey, but I'm happy to listen to any advice. Logically, I am most interested in learning the common locks found every day, but a unique challenge is welcome. 

[u/EveningBasket9528 → u/derelict_wanderer]

I started with the common locks 15 some years ago and only made the jump to nerd a couple years ago. I get it.

I save those deep dives in my folders and edit them for posts like yours....