# New lock. Key stopped working. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 12, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416 "2010-07-12T17:01:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/21 "2010-07-13T14:17:31Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > I’d try shooting some WD-40 or graphite into it. Please note the WD-40 will eventually gum up the pins in the lock and it will be all but impossible for a locksmith to salvage it. Dry graphite in a squeez top rubber lubricator is the best tool for locks and similar mechanisms. Use WD-40 to provide rust protection for hand and machine tools, NOT LOCKS! ---
**Author:** ![JamieB10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4af34b/32.png) [@JamieB10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JamieB10)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/22 "2010-09-03T19:57:17Z")
[quote=“Snnipe\_70E, post:19, topic:546416”] > [@Peanuthead](#): > > Sorry. Schlage residential locks today are cheap and trouble prone. Ny son the locksmith recomended to me not to buy them for my house. Have you seen the Schlage LiNK system? I have been impressed with the quality of that lock - and the home automation stuff is pretty cool. And, they just lowered the price…more details here: [http://bit.ly/bU1PEa](http://bit.ly/bU1PEa) ---
**Author:** ![wisetoenail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6bbea6/32.png) [@wisetoenail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisetoenail)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/23 "2012-03-21T02:56:46Z")
I, too, installed a new lock and got a lemon. The trick is to stick your key in the lock and back it out half a millimeter and try to turn the lock. It will open. And for stuck keys, push on the cylinder with one finger while pulling on the key. Works every time. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/24 "2012-03-21T11:35:22Z")
Same thing happened to my GF’s front door lock. Turned out the cause was a broken spring in the key tumbler. The guy at Home Depot that works at the key making machine was able to fix it at no cost. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/25 "2012-03-21T14:05:13Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > I guess the mods can **lock** this thread now. 😃 zombie or no that’s a good one. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/26 "2012-03-21T14:23:00Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > I’d try shooting some WD-40 or graphite into it. No do not do this it will gum up the pins. ---
**Author:** ![Eliot\_Ness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Eliot\_Ness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eliot_Ness)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/27 "2012-03-22T18:03:33Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > I’d try shooting some WD-40 or graphite into it. This is always the answer. Done it many times and the uninitiated are always amazed. ---
**Author:** ![Osip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4491bb/32.png) [@Osip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osip)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416/28 "2012-03-23T01:53:27Z")
Is it a circle plus schlage? (should be a circle with a plus symbol on the cylinder head) If it is, it is worthless. Well, no not totally worthless, you can take it off the door and Beat the hell out of who ever designed it. I have seen those locks fail with in weeks of a fresh install. Rumor is, they are discontinuing the circle plus. The newer schlage locks have a much nicer latch design and housing than previous model deadbolts, for some reason the new cylinders mainly the circle plus, are total crap. Baldwin used to be schlage compatible now I believe they are kwikset uchange compatible. I have no idea what is out in the hardware stores if you are needing the sc1 key to match up to other locks on your house/apartment. Most locksmith shops will have residential locksets you can buy, which can match up to a residence on the sc1 keyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-lock-key-stopped-working/546416.md?page=1)