I need to replace door locks (4). While browsing, I found door re-keying kit at amazon and watched youtube. Is re-keying (replacing pins) really as easy as youtube videos indicate? Thank you.

 

Rekeying locks isn't rocket science, it's just small, detailed work. Some people are better at handling small pieces than others, so your aggravation factor may vary.

You also have to consider the quality of the locks you have right now. IMO, the $10 deadbolts probably aren't worth rekeying. But it's of course up to you.

 

Thank you for the quick reply. I have 3 double cylinder and 1 single. I cannot find a set with this combination. I will give it a try and report back. Thank you.

 

I'd just go to any Lowe's or HD, buy all new Schlege lock sets and have them deal with it!
There going to rekey then alike for free.

 

Take your locks to a hardware store or lumber yard that supplies contractors. Even in my town I have two that re-key locks and a few more if you count actual locksmiths. Locksmiths are the most expensive but my local lumber yard will rekey for a couple dollars and it only takes a minute per lock.

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Oh, if you think the locks on your house are secure. The guy at my lumber yard doesn't even ask for the key. He can pick open a lock in less than 15 seconds while having a conversation and looking at you, not the lock. It's like a magic trick to watch.

 

PD,
So are you saying don't bother with locked door?
Any locked door keeps out the honest people, and prevents the petty thief from easy pickings. Any and all locks can be broken.

 

Oh no - locks are always important. But ALL locks are breakable/crackable/pickable.

The first time I locked myself out of the house, the locksmith got it unlocked in under 5 seconds (great use of $85).

On the flip-side, I was working with a locksmith who specialized in high-security locks. He was installing a $4500 electronic combination lock in a secure government facility. We talked about how long it would take someone knowledgeable to drill it out. It's been tested at about 20 minutes, which is why the facility was also required to have 15-minute response time of an armed guard service.

Good security is always layered. Lights outside, lock on your door, alarm system, safe to keep your valuables, important items hidden away, etc. You don't need to be 100% secure, only more secure than your neighbor.

 

It's interesting to note that almost all gun safes do not have a rating. No matter how thick the steel or how many locking bolts in the door they still don't qualify for even the lowest UL resistance rating.

 

To the original question, I'm not familiar with these DIY kits, but my assumption is you get a brand-specific kit, possibly Schlage or Kwikset (by far the most common) and you'll get factory spec pins, perhaps 5 or 10 of each size.
If the keys you want to match are original factory keys, you likely won't have a problem, but if they are multi-generation duplicates, or your locks have been re-keyed before, you may need "in-between" sized pins to work smoothly with your keys. Locksmiths use large kits that have pins in .003" increments or steps, so not only will they work with any brand lock, but will work with mis-cut or otherwise less than perfect factory keys. Of course, a small flat file is handy to shorten a pin if necessary.