Philadelphia Locksmith

Complete locksmith Glossary

Servicing Schlage "A" Series Lockset

The Schlage name has long been associated with locks and locksmiths and the “A” series has been a top of the line grade 2 lockset, (see image 1) In addition to having a wide array of functions available in the “A” series line, Schlage has made them easy to work and versatile to apply.
The Schlage “A” series is available in eleven functions- passage, exit, patio, privacy, communicating, single dummy, entrance, classroom communicating keyed, storeroom and hotel and twelve finishes to meet your every need. The keyed functions are reversible and the non-keyed functions are non-handed. The standard lockset fits doors from: 1-3/8” to 1-7/8” with an optional extension available to fit doors up to 2-1/2”.

Latch bolts are available in four lengths: 2-3/8” , 2-3/4” , 3-3/4” and 5” with an extension link. Longer backsets are available with 1-1/8” x 2-1/4” standard face and have an optional 1” radius and a non-UL drive in round face all with a ½” throw. Both dead latch land spring latch latches are available. The lock chassis is steel, zinc dichromate plated for corrosion resistance. The exposed trim is wrought brass, bronze or stainless steel depending on the finish.

Cylinders and keying also are available in a wide variety of options including: for commercial use a six pin patented Everest C123 keyway is standard with two nickel silver keys per pack. For residential use a six pin C keyway, keyed to five pins is standard (see image 2). Other options include the full line of keyways from Schlage and Interchangeable core (with orbit design only) and Primus high security cylinders, Master keying, grand master keying and construction keying is also available. The warranty is for commercial use a three year limited warranty and for residential use a full mechanical lifetime warranty.
Schlage locks are provided with cylinders precision built to extremely close tolerances and the highest standards of accuracy. Using only solid brass plugs, extruded brass shells, phosphor bronze springs, nickel silver keys and pins that ensure long life and ease of operation.
Primus high security cylinders are to add patented key control and varying degrees of geographic exclusivity to most Schlage 6-pin systems, whether Everest or Classic keyways. Primus cylinders incorporate a patented finger pin and sidebar design providing a dual locking cylinder that is virtually pickproof.
If you choose to convert a standard A series lockset to an interchangeable core, it is easily done by changing the knob and adding parts available from Schlage with the following kits. Kit number 01-054ORB contains the driver, retainer and knob. Kit number 01-026ORB is the knob only. You will need to specify the finish you need.

One of the biggest problems I have had is when I order a handed lock and need to know what the handing requires. How do I determine if its right handed or left handed? One of the easiest methods I have found is to assume the door has a lever lock and see which direction the lever is pointing. If it points to the left, it is a left hand door and vice versa. If you are outside the door and it swings toward you, it is a reverse bevel.
Now, let’s take a look at the lock itself. For this article I will use the A53PD entry lockset to exemplify my discussion. An exploded view of the lock is shown in image 3.
Installing the lock is a very simple matter. First, you must have a hole in the door that is at least 2-1/8” in diameter and a 1” hole for installation of the latch bolt. If you are retrofitting the lock into a wooded door or an older steel door, you may have to enlarge the hole to fit the lock.
Once the hole size is correct, slide the latch bolt into the door and place the housing into the hole, being sure the ears of the latch bolt fit into the housing and the latch retractor engages the retracting ears. Install the mounting plate with the words top in the upper position. This seems simple, but it locates the inside rose in the correct position so it should be followed. Now screw the mounting screws into the housing and snap on the inside rose. The inside knob is installed by depressing the retainer on the latch side of the throat and slip the knob over the throat.
To remove the lock, reverse the procedure. If you want to remove the outer knob, be it for rekeying or other purposes, simply turn the key as far as possible in either direction and insert a small tool into the hole in the throat of the knob (see image 4). On the A series, this hole will always be on the latch bolt side. The small tool may be something as simple a heavy paperclip or as common as the tool included in the Schlage package for that purpose. It is worth noting that if you have the lock off the door and want to remove the outer knob, you will have to make sure the knob does not turn when you work the key into position. If the knob turns, the retainer will be moved from the opening and you will not hit it to be able to remove the knob. Lock the knob if necessary but it is possible to hold the mechanism to be able to remove the knob with a little practice.

Schlage makes a very close tolerance cylinder and, if you do not have a key, they can be very difficult to pick open. This is a real problem if you have to open the door and it is the only way into the room. If, however, you can open the door and get to the back of the lock, it is possible to get the knob off the lock without drilling the cylinder, The method is not difficult and could save you a lot of embarrassment in front of a customer because you can’t pick their lock. After all, I see them on TV and they can open anything with a hairpin.
The method involves several steps:

Remove the two cotter pins that hold the cover and slide the cover off (see image 5).
Bend the ears one side of the housing (see image 6).
Remove the mechanism, holding the retractor in place (see image 7).
Lift the retractor out, keeping the springs in check (see image 8).
Lift out the cylinder retractor (see image 9).
Locate the pin holding the screw on cap (see image 10).
Depress the pin- I like to use a paper clip opened long enough to reach the pin and bent out of the way (see image 11).
Turn the cap loose from the plug – I use a pick to turn the cap (see image 12).
Once the cap is loose enough, turn the tailpiece 90 degrees (see image 13).
Depress the retainer and remove the knob cylinder (see image 14).

Once a key has been made for the cylinder, replace the parts by reversing the procedure.
One of the many useful facets of using Schlage A series knob is the availability of a wide variety of aftermarket keyways that are specially made to fit the lockset. Kaba Ilco makes two different replacement cylinders, each with up to 30 keyways and eleven finishes. The model 1539 is a universal key in knob/lever/deadbolt cylinder. Both are suitable for masterkeying and provide a wide range of applications for the Schlage A series lockset.
As you can see, the Schlage A series lockset is a versatile, functional and easily worked on lock that is widely used throughout the US and many foreign countries. If you are looking for a lock that will do many applications and can reduce the number of locksets, and therefore the investment, you should consider the Schlage A line.