How to Choose the Best Rekey Kit for Your Locks: Kwikset vs. Schlage & DIY Tips

You’ve just moved into your new home, holding a fresh set of keys. But a nagging question lingers: who else has a copy? The previous owners, their family, contractors, the dog walker? This uncertainty is a significant security risk, leaving your home vulnerable.

Many homeowners believe the only solution is to replace every lock, an expensive and time-consuming process. What if there was a smarter, cheaper, and faster way to secure your home? This is where a lock rekey kit becomes your most powerful tool.

Why Rekeying is the Smartest Security Upgrade for Your Home

The core problem isn’t the lock hardware itself, but the key that operates it. Rekeying addresses this directly. Instead of replacing the entire lock, you simply change the internal pins so that the old keys no longer work.

This process is significantly more cost-effective than a full replacement. You’re paying for a small kit, not brand-new deadbolts and knobs for every door. It’s a precise solution that provides immediate peace of mind without breaking the bank.

Understanding What’s Inside a Lock Rekey Kit

Opening a rekey kit for the first time can seem intimidating due to the small, numerous parts. However, each component has a specific and straightforward purpose. Understanding these parts demystifies the process and empowers you to take control of your locks.

A standard kit for a pin-tumbler lock—the most common type on residential doors—contains several key items. You’ll find a collection of color-coded or numbered bottom pins of varying lengths, which correspond to the cuts on your new key. The kit also includes essential tools like a “plug follower” to hold critical parts in place and often a removal tool for clips.

The central idea is to replace the existing bottom pins with a new set that matches the pattern of a new key. When the new key is inserted, these pins align perfectly, allowing the cylinder to turn. The old key, with its different pattern, will no longer be able to create this alignment.

Choosing the Best Rekey Kit for Your Specific Locks

Not all rekey kits are created equal, and choosing the right one is the most critical step. The market is dominated by a few major lock brands, and using the wrong kit can lead to frustration or even a permanently damaged lock. The most common brands you’ll encounter are Kwikset and Schlage.

Your first task is to identify the brand of your locks. The brand name is almost always stamped on the latch or the key itself. Once you know the brand, you can select a kit designed specifically for it, which is always the recommended approach.

Brand-Specific Kits vs. Universal Kits

While “universal” kits exist, they often lead to problems. The pins inside Kwikset and Schlage locks, for example, have different diameters and require precise matching. A brand-specific kit ensures you have the exact pins required for a smooth, secure operation.

Using the wrong pins can result in a lock that feels “gritty,” is difficult to turn, or fails to lock and unlock reliably. Always choose a kit that matches your lock’s brand. This simple decision will save you immense trouble and ensure your security isn’t compromised by ill-fitting parts.

Standard Pin Tumbler Kits: The Traditional Approach

For most Schlage and older Kwikset locks, you will use a traditional pin tumbler rekey kit. These kits come with the pins and tools needed to manually disassemble the lock cylinder and replace the pins. This process requires attention to detail but is well within the grasp of a patient DIYer.

These kits offer a hands-on understanding of how your lock works. Successfully rekeying a traditional lock is a rewarding experience that puts you in complete control of your home’s first line of defense.

Kwikset SmartKey Rekeying: A Modern, Simpler Method

Kwikset revolutionized DIY rekeying with their SmartKey technology. This system eliminates the need to disassemble the lock entirely. You can identify these locks by the small, narrow slot located next to the keyway.

The SmartKey rekeying process is astonishingly simple. It involves the current working key and a special “SmartKey tool” that comes with the lock or kit. You insert the old key, turn it, insert the tool, remove both, insert the new key, and turn it back. The entire process takes less than 30 seconds.

Feature	Standard Pin Tumbler Kit	Kwikset SmartKey System
Process	Requires lock disassembly to manually replace pins.	No disassembly needed; uses a special tool.
Time Required	15-20 minutes per lock.	Under 1 minute per lock.
Required Tools	Plug follower, removal tools, tweezers (all usually in kit).	Working original key and the SmartKey tool.
Best For	Schlage, older Kwikset, and most other brands.	Only for locks with Kwikset SmartKey technology.
Skill Level	Beginner to Intermediate (requires patience).	Beginner (extremely simple).

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Rekey a Standard Lock

Rekeying a traditional pin-tumbler lock is a methodical process. By following these steps carefully, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a successful outcome. This guide focuses on the most common type of lock found on residential doors.

Pre-Flight Check: Tools and Preparation

Before you begin, gather your tools in a well-lit, clean workspace. You will need your brand-specific rekey kit, a Phillips head screwdriver, and possibly a small flathead screwdriver. It’s crucial to work on a surface where tiny pins won’t get lost if dropped.

Ensuring your area is prepped is half the battle. Just as you’d clean up before tackling a tough spot in the bathroom—like when you learn how to get purple shampoo stains out of a shower—a tidy space prevents errors. Lay down a light-colored towel to help keep track of small parts.

Removing the Lock Cylinder

First, you must remove the lock from the door. Use your screwdriver to undo the two screws holding the interior side of the doorknob or deadbolt. Once the screws are out, you can pull both the interior and exterior halves of the lock apart and remove them from the door.

The next step is to remove the cylinder from the exterior knob or housing. This process varies slightly by brand, but generally involves removing a C-shaped clip on the back of the cylinder. Your kit will include a specific tool for this. This part of the process requires careful handling, similar to other home hardware projects. For instance, much like when you figure out how to remove plantation shutters, the key is to apply steady pressure without damaging the components.

Using the Plug Follower and Replacing the Pins

This is the most critical stage. Insert the lock’s current working key and turn it about 90 degrees. This aligns the pins at the “shear line.” Now, take the plug follower from your kit and push it into the back of the cylinder, applying steady pressure. As you push, it will force the inner plug (the part that turns with the key) out of the front, while the follower takes its place, holding the top pins and springs up inside the cylinder housing.

With the plug removed, you can dump out the old, tiny bottom pins. Insert your new key into the plug. Now, using the chart and color-coded pins from your kit, drop the new pins into the empty chambers. The new pins should sit perfectly flush with the top of the plug.

Testing and Reassembly

With the new pins in and the new key still in the plug, carefully slide the plug back into the cylinder housing, pushing the follower tool out as you go. Test the key; it should turn smoothly. If it doesn’t, one or more pins are incorrect.

Once you’ve confirmed it works, re-install the C-clip, place the cylinder back in the lock housing, and re-mount the lock on your door. Test it again before you close the door to ensure it functions perfectly.

Common Rekeying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with careful preparation, mistakes can happen. The most common error is turning the plug too far or pulling it out without using a follower tool. This will cause the top pins and springs to shoot out, creating a difficult-to-fix mess.

Another frequent mistake is using the wrong size pin. Always double-check your pin selection against the kit’s chart. The precision required is similar to other detail-oriented DIY work. For example, it’s as important as learning how to cut drywall on a stud without veering off course; a small error can compromise the whole project.

When to Call a Professional Locksmith

DIY rekeying is a fantastic skill, but there are times when calling a professional is the smarter choice. If you’ve lost the current working key for a standard lock, you won’t be able to rekey it yourself, as you cannot turn the plug to remove it. A locksmith will need to pick the lock first.

Additionally, if you have high-security locks, complex master key systems, or if a DIY attempt has gone wrong, an expert can resolve the issue quickly and correctly. A professional locksmith brings experience and specialized tools that can save you from a costly mistake.

Taking Control of Your Home’s Security

Mastering the use of a rekey kit is more than just a home improvement task; it’s a fundamental step in taking ownership of your security. It erases the uncertainty of stray keys and gives you absolute control over who has access to your home.

Whether you choose a traditional pin kit or the modern convenience of a SmartKey system, rekeying is an affordable, effective, and empowering way to ensure your home is truly your sanctuary. With the right kit and a little patience, you can achieve a level of security that no homeowner should be without.