Flip Kwikset left-hand lock knob to right-hand keyhole reversal
in [Frugal Living]
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From: mm on 14 Jan 2007 10:31 On Sun, 14 Jan 2007 07:03:37 GMT, "MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com" <MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com> wrote: >How do we flip a left-hand Kwikset lock so it works on a right-hand door? > >I bought a set of Kwikset Security locks which advertise "Fits All Doors" & >"Easy Installation". The Kwikset lock package contained two left-hand keyed >knobs and two deadbolts. > >The problem is there is NOTHING on the package that indicates the two keyed >knobs are set up for left-handed doors (those with the hinge on the left). >My outside doors are right-hand doors (they have the hinge on the right). You just want the key to be "right side" up? How do you know which side is the right side? :) Why can't you just rotate the whole lock 180 degrees? Every second house in my n'hood has a door that swings one way, and every first and third house, the door swings the other way. (or opens from the other side, depending on how you phrase it.) And I'm sure they all have Kwikset locks like I do. Do you want me to check which side of the keyhole goes up in my neighbors' locks? For me, I think the key's teeth point up. Is that good or bad? >It's crazy to me that Kwikset doesn't even SAY on the package that all my >lock cylinders will be upside down unless I can figure out how to switch >the Kwikset lock from being a left-hand knob to a right-hand knob. Where is it written what is up and what is down? I believe the doorknob has to be turned the opposite direction also, depending on what side of the door the lock is, and that that would be true even if the keyhole were reversed top to bottom. Isn't that true of your previous lock? People learn to do that automatically with time. >Do you know how? > >I googled only to find a very tough to follow description of the lock knob >keyhole reversing procedure sans pictures at >http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=227800 > >Is there a PHOTOGRAPH or DIAGRAM of how to reverse a quickset lock that is >set up for a left-hand door to have the keyhole right-side up for a >right-hand door? > >The instructions have room for Spanish, English, and French, but no room to >tell us how to install the lock such that the keyhole is right-side up. > >Is the procedure to flip the Kwikset keyhole documented (with pictures)?
From: SMS on 14 Jan 2007 11:59 MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com wrote: > It's crazy to me that Kwikset doesn't even SAY on the package that all my > lock cylinders will be upside down unless I can figure out how to switch > the Kwikset lock from being a left-hand knob to a right-hand knob. Kwikset probably thinks that it's crazy that anyone would care which direction the keyhole would be. There isn't a "right-side-up" because it's different on doors with the hole on the right than on the left. > Do you know how? If you buy the after-market Kwikset re-keying kit at Home Depot, it comes with the tools, and instructions. You can put the cylinder back in either way. The procedure is different for the doorknob and the deadbolt. The deadbolt is easier, and no tools are needed. I've done rekeying of Kwikset locks many times, I just did one a few weeks ago. See: "http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze4vxnd/kwikrekey.html" "http://www.kwikset.com/Trade/Literature/Resources/Rekeying%20Manual.pdf" I think that you'll have the same issue with any brand of lock you buy. You'll have to disassemble it to remove the cylinder and flip it over if you want the keyhole in the opposite orientation.
From: Gary Heston on 14 Jan 2007 12:04 In article <hmcko30upmj9.j7wklsmpcvdz$.dlg(a)40tude.net>, MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com <MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com> wrote: >How do we flip a left-hand Kwikset lock so it works on a right-hand door? [ ... ] On all of them I've dealt with, you just separate the lockset into the three main pieces, install the plunger/latch into the edge of the door, stick the outside part (knob or deadbolt) in from the exterior side of the door, mate the interior part (knob, deadbolt, or turn lever) onto the rod from the front part, then spend a lot of time getting the screws started. Tighten everything up, and you're done. The only difference between l-h and r-h locksets is which way the plunger/latch points, and they're generally made to fit either way. No need to pull the cylinders or anything like that. Locksets that only fit one way are usually clearly marked as "l-h only" or "r-h only". Gary -- Gary Heston gheston(a)hiwaay.net http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/ Astronomers have developed a definition of "planet" which excludes Pluto. I'm developing a definition of "scientist" which excludes astronomers.
From: Nate Nagel on 14 Jan 2007 12:31 mm wrote: > On Sun, 14 Jan 2007 07:03:37 GMT, "MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com" > <MsMonarchdancer(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > >>How do we flip a left-hand Kwikset lock so it works on a right-hand door? >> >>I bought a set of Kwikset Security locks which advertise "Fits All Doors" & >>"Easy Installation". The Kwikset lock package contained two left-hand keyed >>knobs and two deadbolts. >> >>The problem is there is NOTHING on the package that indicates the two keyed >>knobs are set up for left-handed doors (those with the hinge on the left). >>My outside doors are right-hand doors (they have the hinge on the right). > > > You just want the key to be "right side" up? How do you know which > side is the right side? :) > > Why can't you just rotate the whole lock 180 degrees? > > Every second house in my n'hood has a door that swings one way, and > every first and third house, the door swings the other way. (or opens > from the other side, depending on how you phrase it.) And I'm sure > they all have Kwikset locks like I do. Do you want me to check which > side of the keyhole goes up in my neighbors' locks? > > For me, I think the key's teeth point up. Is that good or bad? good. If the key's teeth point down, someday half a century down the road when one of the tumbler springs breaks or loses tension, you could be locked out of your house when one of the tumblers jams. If the teeth point up, then gravity will help the springs and as long as the lock isn't gummed up, it will open with the correct key even if there are *no* springs inside. nate -- replace "fly" with "com" to reply. http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel
From: MsMonarchdancer on 14 Jan 2007 12:42
On Sun, 14 Jan 2007 10:31:06 -0500, mm wrote: > You just want the key to be "right side" up? How do you know which > side is the right side? :) > Why can't you just rotate the whole lock 180 degrees? Hi mm, Thank you for the advice. Yes, I want the key to be "right side up". :) That means the flat part of the key blade is downward and the notched part of the key is upward. If I rotate the whole lock/knob assembly 180 degrees laterally, the keyhole is on the INSIDE of the house instead of the OUTSIDE. If I rotate 180 degrees horzontally, I'd need a two-foot-long entry door latch coming out from the hinge side instead of a five-inch entry door latch protruducing from the door-lock side of the door. :) I hope that explains things a bit. Good luck to you, |