Single-key dead-bolt question

[radhak]

The door from my home to the garage had a deadbolt-lock that broke off.

This is the type where the garage side has a key-slot while the indoor side has a dead-bolt lever. Once I closed the door and bolted it, it could only be opened from the outside if you had the key. The idea being that even if somebody gained access to the garage, getting inside the house was yet another locked-door-hurdle.

The attached pic below shows an example.

Ok, so to replace it the other day I bought a close match at HD : made by Defiant, $8.99 for the whole 'kit'. (called 'Single Cylinder single-key deadbolt'). Since I was only replacing the old one, it was pretty easy and I was pretty happy.

Until I tried to take the key out

Long story short : this particular one I bought seems to not allow taking the key out of the lock unless it is 'locked'. And once the key is taken out, i cannot open it from the inside using the bolt-lever! To open the lock, the key has to be inserted first!!

Assuming this is by design and not a faulty piece, what is the idea? In which particular scenario is this a desirable feature? Unless I want to lock my kids in their room such that they cannot get out ( ), this is a useless design. The very concept of having a dual way of opening the lock (with key on one side, and without the key on the other side) is negated.

The other problem is that this morning it took me quite some time (and a small tap with a hammer) to re-insert the key in the lock - some alignment problem. So it's definitely going back to the store...

But now the question is - how do i buy a piece similar to the one I had before? ie, where the lever from the inside operates independent of whether or not the key is present on the other side of the lock? Do I need a double-cylinder? Or is this a problem with this company Defiant? Of course I cannot try it out in the store - the packaging does not allow that. Any ideas?

[Techman1]

Hi Radhak,

Sounds to me like you have the right lock.


"Long story short : this particular one I bought seems to not allow taking the key out of the lock unless it is 'locked'. And once the key is taken out, i cannot open it from the inside using the bolt-lever! To open the lock, the key has to be inserted first!!"

It sounds to me like the tail piece is not aligned the right way.

Is it one piece from the outside cylinder to the inside thumb turn
or two short tails, one on the cylinder and one on the thumb turn?

In any case if you have not returned it, check that out and make sure that when you reinstall that the key is not turned in the cylinder. Some are called lazy cams and work on a 1/4 turn to lock and a 1/4 turn back to remove the key. If the tails are not aligned right, that would cause this problem.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,
David

[dlminehart]

Radhak, keep in mind that virtually all these tumbler locks (except for Medeco and a very few others) are now minimally secure, due to the lock-picking technique known as "bumping". You'll keep wandering elementary school kids, passing drunks, and such out, but not anyone who's out to actually rip you off. European TV has highlighted this issue, but it's gotten little publicity in the US, where almost useless locks continue to be the rule rather than the exception.

For an interesting article, see http://tinyurl.com/h3t7j . Or just google "lock bumping" for some links that include video footage showing how ridiculously easy it is to open most cylinder locks.

[onedash]

I agree with dlminehart. I am amazed at the cheap locks available. a cheap master lock would probably be better than a lot of "cheap" locksets.
I dont know if I will ever spend the money on a nice mortised lockset but that seems like the way to go for security. Those can easily go for over a $1000 I guess.
But what difference does it make if there is a window within arms reach of the lock? Guess it doesnt pay to spend a lot on a lock if there is a flimsly piece of glass to break nearby to gain entry.
And in many cases the door is so cheap and flimsy it would be easier to push through it or smack it on the hinge side.

[radhak]

Hi Radhak,
It sounds to me like the tail piece is not aligned the right way.

Is it one piece from the outside cylinder to the inside thumb turn
or two short tails, one on the cylinder and one on the thumb turn?

In any case if you have not returned it, check that out and make sure that when you reinstall that the key is not turned in the cylinder. Some are called lazy cams and work on a 1/4 turn to lock and a 1/4 turn back to remove the key. If the tails are not aligned right, that would cause this problem.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,
David

Thanks David. I shall open up the lock today and check for alignment - assuming I would know a misalignment when I look for it
I think it is one longish iron-thingy from the outside, which inserts into a small hole on the the inside thumb turn. Shall try and get a pic.

And David (dlminehart) and onedash - thanks for the headsup. I had vaguely heard of lock bumping, and I spent some time now surfing for it; but seems like there's very little that can be done to fix it (as the lock companies have not succeeded themselves), so i shall leave it to fate as of now...