Bulk Up Your Deadbolt Security

It seems like nowadays more and more people are learning to make bump keys, SPP or rake locks. Thanks youtube! Criminals are among the interested folks that are learning these tricks and techniques and they're getting pretty good!!! This certainly means we need better security.

A lot of us can't afford to pay high dollar for our door locks, and we certainly should not have to! I personally love and trust my custom kwikset deadbolt to help protect my family from intruders. It takes me about an hour, and the best part is... I didn't have to pay a locksmith nor did I have to buy a single part. Anyone can do this. Here is how it's done..

You will need

A sheet of paper or two nicely folded (like a fan) to hold your small parts.

A small flathead screwdriver.

A regular sized philips screwdriver.

A file, triangle is my favorite but a flat or round file will work.

A socket, dowel or actual plug follower that is the same size as the plug (you will see).

An empty dresser drawer is optional.

A must have is a working space that you can't get distracted. Or a place where if you get distracted your work won't be messed up.

A drill

A bit for drilling metal

If I forgot anything I will add it in later...

Not every deadbolt comes off or apart the same. But I am a firm believer that you can solve anything just by looking at the problem.

Not all retainers come off the same either, some have these clips, some are threaded. Just use your imagination, nothing can't be figured out.

Turning the key to the 3 o'clock position is the way I have always managed this. When you're pushing the plug just do it slow. I recommend using an empty dresser drawer to do this over.

A little about security pins. When you pick a lock, your goal is to aline your pins at the shear line. A smooth pin like the ones you just pulled out are easy to feel when they get lined up. It's called a fault set. Security pins, ones that have an uneven surface like the ones we are making make it harder to set, often you will think it's picked but in reality you're just stuck in the middle of a spool pin. Remember that NO lock is unpick able, some are just harder to pick. That is what we're trying to accomplish, an uneasy entry.

Remember to do your filing as even as possible. I know guys that use dremel tools but I prefer doing this by hand.

Install your pins the way they came out. Install your plug the way it came out, do this slow and careful.

Put your retainer and linkage back together and install the lock back on your door!

Did you inspect the housing to your deadbolt? Check out my favorite trick :)

Now that you have read this, I hope that you've enjoyed it. I hope it inspires you to upgrade your locks, security wise not price wise! And just know that you don't have to be a locksmith, or pay a locksmith or even know a locksmith to do this.

Soon I will post about window locks.

By the way, I am totally not responsible for pins and springs lost. It's good to study more in-depth on how locks work. Google is a great source.

Thank you for reading.

AlexG.