kwikset lockset

[Killick]

Quick question; I noticed a couple of old KIK locksets have a 5 digit number stamped on the torque spring housing. Would that be the key number or possibly a model number?

[selim]

it could be the bittings

[Killick]

Apparently it's the bitting just as you said. The lock came from a neighbor's front door that I replaced but in going through a pile of locksets I bought at a local HFH ReStore, I found one with the same stamped number and tried the neighbor's old key. It opens both locks just fine. After doing some reading up on the subject, it seems "12133" would be consistant with a key bitting.
It just strikes me as odd that two random locks could have the same bitting.

[Anarchy_won]

if you think that is bad, go to home depot and check out the Schlage lock's and look for this sticker , most Home depot locks are shipped in pallets all keyed alike and endup at stores the same way my local store had over 40 handsets all Keyed alike..

[selim]

that's why you never buy grade 3 locks, even most people have them on their house

[Killick]

Wow, that's just insane! I'll have to look a little closer next time I'm in Home Depot or Lowes. I think it's time to start shopping for a better lock for MY front door.

[Neilau]

Wow, that's just insane! I'll have to look a little closer next time I'm in Home Depot or Lowes. I think it's time to start shopping for a better lock for MY front door.

LOL a common reaction from people just getting into the hobby.

It's frightening just how crappy most locks on houses are. People will spend a lot on a good solid door then put an El Cheapo lock on it.

[Anarchy_won]

I have seen Custom houses being built where they "cant find the money" for a good lock set and end up with something cheap from Home Depot.

[magician59]

Wow, that's just insane! I'll have to look a little closer next time I'm in Home Depot or Lowes. I think it's time to start shopping for a better lock for MY front door.

Notwithstanding That they're grade 3; you can always re key them.

[Killick]

Thank you Selim & Magician59, I had to go Google 'grade 3 locks.' I'm so new, I didn't realize there were 'grades' but i probably should have assumed so. As always, the more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. Lot'sa more questions to follow...

Thanks y'all!