Toy Locks

The photograph compares the disassembled parts of a common residential-style pin tumbler lock cylinder (to the right of the key) to the parts of a "rekeyable" lock cylinder (to the left of the key). Both are commonly available at hardware and home stores.

Is it any wonder that the new rekeyable locks are often failing for no apparent reason? Most people devote little or no attention to lock maintenance. The greater number of small moving parts and mating surfaces just means that many more things can fail. The design of the new locks would seem to make them far more susceptible to failure when they are fouled with dirt and debris. Regular cleaning and lubrication is needed to keep standard pin tumbler locks working properly, though they can often last through years of neglect. That won't be as true of the rekeyable designs.