You have to change the cylinder of a lock? Although it seems like a skill for little hands, we can carry out a series of simple steps where it will not be a big task for you. The lock on our door at home is the main axis and where it means blocking or not in its path.
A change of lock can mean any personal circumstance and we have many of these bowlers on hand in any hardware store and without such exorbitant prices. Just left adjust your anchor well and do subsequent maintenance with a multipurpose product so that it is protected from rust and corrosion.
Why change the cylinder of a lock?
Must change a lock It can be a headache when it is not. Some tutorial in a video can be patiently used, where it may seem an easy skill to perform. On more than one occasion we have come across keys embedded that do not come out of their lock and where we have gone crazy to find a solution.
In this type of case and when the keys still do not fit well in their place, the best solution is change the bowler Keep in mind that looking for a locksmith to do this job will be a solution that will cost a lot of money, and yet it can be a practical solution that you can do yourself and without complexity.
In other circumstances it has been seen how we have been losing the keys and we have not found the solution to make a copy. Or perhaps we need to change the lock so that other people cannot enter the house with the same key. Be that as it may, we indicate the steps to to be able to change the bowler.
Remove the metal frame around the lock
First of all, you have to make an assessment of the measurements of the lock. In principle you have to remove the old bowler hat from the door and for this we will unscrew the inner plate. To do this, the door must be open to be able to remove the screws from that small frame or shield.
We remove the handlebar and the square that joins it to the lock. We remove the old cylinder from the door and we can help ourselves by placing the key and turning it so that the cam is parallel to the cylinder (the cam is the part that transmits the movement so that the key turns). From here we shoot out the cylinder to remove it from the door, in some cases we will have to use force.
With the bowler hat out, we can take your measurements. To take the correct measurement we will measure from the center to the extreme right or left. Generally the measurement is 30 mm.
Can the cylinder be measured without removing it from the lock? Yes you can. We choose a measuring rule and measure from the central part of the bowler hat to the outside, both from the right and from the left. At the time of measurement, take into account the size of the trims and protectors of the lock, this should not count in the measurement.
Once the measure has been taken, we will place the lock in its place so that it continues to perform its service if it can still be confirmed. From here we will go to visit the place of sale for locks. We go to the store with these measures and where we will choose the type of bowler hat we want for our safety. It can be a standard cylinder, anti-pick, anti-snap, double clutch, anti-bumping or with protected keys, where simple copies cannot be made.
Place the new bowler
- Act quickly. fit the new cylinder, We introduce it through the hole until it peeks out to the other side and we turn it until the cam aligns.
- Before placing the entire frame that covers the lock We must verify that it performs its function. To do this, we insert the key and monitor that it opens and closes the new lock at both ends.
- We replace the screw that holds the cylinder on one side. We accommodated the handle and the embellishing box that covered the lock. We screw all the screws that remain to be placed and we will have your change ready. You have to check again that everything works well and that the key turns correctly again.
Now you know all the steps to be able to remove a new or old bowler hat, and thus be able to replace it with the same or similar one. Generally, these tutorials serve as an example of changing the cylinder of a main door, although it can also be used for any type of lock. It is a job that does not require difficult techniques or any professional knowledge. Just follow the steps described or try to watch a video tutorial.
For armored door locks, the change can be a bit more complex, since these types of locks are more complex. These bowlers contain several bolts and the door has to contain the corresponding holes for them to fit.