Replace the Stock Cylinders That Come With Your New Commercial Glass Door

If you have a commercial glass door, and it is a newer door, chances are there are stock, glass door lock cylinders installed. Of course, you pay quite a hefty sum to have these doors installed; but the truth of the matter is that the lock cylinders that come with it are "dollar-trash" locks cylinders. If the lock cylinders are newer, then the keys will work okay for a while. If you try to re-key them, and the locksmith uses some deeper cuts in the key, the tumblers will just refuse to operate properly. If you have had these cylinders for a while, it is best to ask your locksmith to install solid brass cylinders on his next visit. Here are some things you should know about the lock cylinders that come with your glass doors.

1. The are made of cheap metal and are die cast. They are not finely machined brass. Die cast metal tends to corrode more easily than brass.
2. The tailpieces or cams cannot be held on to the cylinders as tightly. Eventually, the screws work themselves free and jam the lock. I have seen this too many times to remember.
3. The cams on these locks are often die cast material of inferior quality as well. If you have to force the key to lock the bolt, the pressure can be enough to shatter the cam, causing a lock out.
4. The Adams- Rite set screws which hold the lock cylinders in place just never hold very well, causing the lock cylinders to spin freely when you turn the key.
5. It seems that, over time, the tumblers wear a pattern into the cylinder plug and make accurate re-keying impossible. If you insert your key into the cylinder and it hesitates before turning, your lock has a wear pattern and the top pins are not falling correctly into the chambers.