Hello everyone.

Can anyone recommend me an affordable locksmith ? I'd like to install an “emergency function” or “external key override function” on my lock (so you can unlock the door when a key is inserted on the other side). Last locksmith I tried turned out way too expensive. A self employed locksmith who can order and install parts would be best.

Thanks.

If you rent - you'd have to insert the old lock again if you move, so keep it. If you own, no problem.

But why do you want that? If there is a key inserted on the other side, there must be somebody inside and you could knock or ring .... Or just train your family to always take the key out when locking. A cheap post-it might do the trick.

We can only lock our door with a Key, and at night the key is always in the lock on the inside, so that in case of emergence no time gets lost by finding and inserting the keys, our lock does allow however to be opened from the outside with a second key in such case. Alternatives otherwise would be to leave the house door unlocked or ring the bell and wake my wife and kid, both are highly unwanted and would have been worth an investment.

If your lock cannot be unlocked if a key is inserted at the other side try the following: Slightly retract the key a bit.

Most locks can now be opened from the other side, but you still have a key at the right place to unlock the door from the inside if there is a need.

PS: What is "expensive" and "affordable" according your own definition?
Are you happy with a botch job by a shody person or do you need a guarantee that there will be no damages and no "accidental" copy of your key exists?

I've just seen how it works. It is not enough to file a few millimeters off the end of the key as I might have been tempted to try. Description (see The Emergency key device): http://www.smrlocksmiths.co.uk/Locks...le-key-system/

Thanks for all the replies. I want to have this system so that I can install a smartlock (which turns the key that's always inserted on the inside). As it would suck that I'm locked out because of a crashed smartlock, I need to still be able to open the door with a key from the outside.

The quote I got from the locksmith was CHF 530. For a sub CHF 200.- smartlock, that's quite a lot. It might just be the cost, but I want to see if there are cheaper locksmiths before I give up.

I just want to know what the options are so I can make an educated decision.

So any recommendations ?

Thanks

Does the lock have to integrate with an existing key system? If not you are free to shop around. You specify those Europrofile double cylinder locks by the two lengths of the cylinders to the centre screw and a direction up/down. You really have to remove the lock cylinder to measure it. Maybe a thumbturn lock would be better.

Anyway, here are some prices if you want to buy online:

https://www.locksonline.co.uk/Cylind...Cylinders.html

Thanks but I would prefer not to have to change my entire lock for this. I know it's possible to change only the cylinder part of my lock so my keys keep working with the lock. I just need an affordable locksmith to do it

https://yellow.local.ch/de/q/Zürich/...elservice.html

Just call them one after another and find out whom you want to employ :-)

If you know what cilinder you need it is almost always not so much of a trouble to replace the cilinder yourself.

Edwin,you are right: I did it once, my key broke and half of it was stuck in the lock. The key must have been really old. Landlord was not around and me and my roommates found out that it was quite easy to replace, the locksmith told us how to proceed.