A mortise cylinder is the threaded, screw-in cylinder that drives mortise locksets, storefront deadlocks and exit device trims. Across Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia we repair, rekey, replace and install them inside the hardware you already own.
A mortise cylinder is a threaded brass housing holding a plug, a bible with five or six pin chambers, and a cam screwed to the back of the plug. The housing threads into the lock body at 1.150 inches by 32 TPI, and a set screw in the case holds it. The cam throws the bolt.
Length comes first: 1 inch and 1-1/8 inch cylinders suit most residential mortise locks, while thick District of Columbia office doors need 1-1/4 inch or longer. Cam comes second: a standard cam runs a mortise lockset, an Adams Rite cam runs storefront deadlocks. Keying comes third: the keyway decides whether we can pin to your key.
The key turns but the bolt stays put: the cam screw worked loose or the cam sheared at the plug. The cylinder spins in the housing: the set screw backed out or the 1.150 inch threads stripped. The plug will not turn: corrosion seized the pins on an exterior door.
We pull the cylinder, inspect cam, plug and chambers, and repin from the kits and cams on our trucks. A sheared cam or loose set screw is a repair. Stripped threads or a corroded plug mean replacement. Locked out? Our mobile units respond 24/7. Call (240) 345-1455 in Maryland or (202) 800-2622 in Washington DC and NOVA.
We recommend replacement after drilling damage, stripped threads, a discontinued keyway, or a security upgrade. We measure length, confirm the 32 TPI thread, and match cam profile and finish, so the new cylinder threads into your existing hardware with no new drilling. For rekeying, we pin the plug to your current key where keyways match, build keyed-alike sets, and master key multi-door properties.
Before installation we check thread engagement, cam clearance inside the lock case and faceplate fit. Our own technicians handle every job, never a subcontractor. Measure, match, install, then test operation and security before we leave. Our in-house door expert corrects frame alignment the same visit.
We measure your door, match thread, cam and keyway on site, and install a genuine replacement mortise cylinder in one visit. Free estimates, no surprises.
A mortise cylinder only works when thread, length, cam and keyway all agree with the lock body. We measure each one before we order anything.
We gauge cylinder length against door thickness, confirm the 1.150 inch by 32 TPI thread and identify your cam, so the new cylinder seats correctly.
Our locksmiths strip, inspect and repin mortise plugs daily, reading cam wear, set screw damage and chamber debris to tell honest repairs from needed replacements.
Every mobile unit carries standard and Adams Rite cams, followers, pinning kits and common keyway blanks, so most mortise cylinder repairs finish in one visit.
A mortise cylinder binds when the door sags or the strike drifts. Our door specialist squares frame and faceplate the same visit, protecting the cylinder.
A mortise cylinder that turns without throwing the bolt leaves your door unlocked. Call (240) 345-1455 or request mortise cylinder service online. We answer 24/7
Mortise cylinders are one of many cylinder formats we service daily. Browse the other cylinder types our technicians repair, rekey, replace and install across Maryland, Washington DC.
Straight answers from King Locksmith Technicans to on Mortise Cylinders questions customers ask us most.
(240) 345-1455
A loose set screw, sheared cam or gritty plug is repairable on site. Stripped threads or drilling damage call for a replacement cylinder.
Price depends on cylinder length, keyway and grade. We give a free on-site estimate with no hidden fees. Call (240) 345-1455.
Yes, if the cam matches. Storefront deadlocks need an Adams Rite style cam, so we confirm cam and length before supplying the part.
