![]() (This process may vary depending on the particular design of the lock.) This way, when you insert the new key, the lower pins will push all the upper pins just above the shear line, allowing the cylinder to turn freely. Then, drawing from a collection of replacement pins of various sizes, the locksmith selects new lower pins that fit perfectly between the notches of the key and the shear line. The locksmith removes all of the pins from the cylinder. The process of re-keying a lock is very simple. ![]() ![]() The remaining six pins (the lower pins) will be of various lengths to match up with the notches on the key. All of the upper pins are exactly the same size. When you open up the shafts in the cylinder and empty them out, you have six springs and 12 tiny pins. In this basic six-pin lock set, you can see how this re-keying works. The right combination of pins lines up perfectly with the notches in the key. You can also get locks re-keyed at most hardware stores. If the lock is designed with a universal keying system, any locksmith can re-key the lock in no time. To change a lock so that it fits an existing key, you simply work in the opposite direction: You change the pattern of the pins in the lock so that it matches the pattern of notches in the key. Essentially, you cut a pattern in the metal that matches the pattern of the pins in the lock. To make a new key for an existing lock, you cut a series of notches in the key so that it raises each of the upper pins just above the shear line. The advantages of this are obvious: You can add new locks to your home or business without attaching a bunch of new keys to your key ring. One cool thing about pin-and-tumbler locks is that you can re-configure them to fit an existing key (provided that the key is for the same lock design). The shafts of a pin-and-tumbler lock contain several springs and tiny pins.
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