Yale 3 Star Anti Snap Locks

Expert help for euro cylinders - check out our frequently asked questions before purchasing your euro cylinder door lock.

If you are in a hurry and want to buy a euro cylinder visit this page showing all of our euro locks. Otherwise take a few minutes reading through our typical questions and answers to get a better understanding of these products.

What are euro cylinders?

This is a separate part of the lock that can be changed easily – sometimes referred to as the ‘door barrel’. It is a self-contained unit that when in place turns the actual lock and its component parts into place. The double glazing industry inherited a euro lock style right from the early days and we have stayed with it ever since in the UK. The basic construction is that of a series of pins which meet with the key pattern to allow a barrel to turn. Turning the barrel means the cam turns in the centre and this then turns the locks in your door.

Why should I change my existing euro cylinder?

Doors that have been fitted some years ago are fitted with the older style euro cylinders that have little in the way of in-built security features. Today’s euro cylinders have enhanced security features such as anti-pick, anti-drill and both bump and snap resistance features built into the design as standard.

How easy is it to fit a new euro cylinders?

Very easy. One screw located at the side of the door will release the cylinder. Read our How To Replace a Euro Cylinder Guide and the whole process will take only a few minutes!

The only other thing you need to know is the size of the cylinder and again this can be found by following our help guide - How To Measure a Euro Cylinder.

As long as you have the right screwdriver and the key to the door anybody can take out the cylinder. The most difficult part of the process can be to take the screw out (apply care to the head of the screw if tight and do not use a drill screwdriver – hand only).

How do I measure the size of the euro lock I need?

You can do it one of two ways. Either with the lock inside the door or with the lock out of the door. This help guide will show you both ways of doing it: How To Measure a Euro Cylinder and you can also watch the video How To Replace an anti snap Euro Lock to show how easy it is!

Are the sizes reversible?

It depends which type of lock you purchase as anti snap locks are mostly configured on the external side only for anti-snap. On this website this will apply to the following locks; DL30 Platinum, DL37 Securit and DL40 Orion anti snap locks. The Yale Superior Euro Cylinders have snap resistance on both sides making it reversible. As an example a 40/50 size is also a 50/40 size so you can use it either way around on the door. This will be the case with normal 5 or 6 pin euro cylinders.

One of my euro locks is hidden behind the frame?

This is usually the case on french doors where the slave door has an extra frame attached to the side. This can be easily removed via four or five long screws that attach the one-piece frame to the door. If you undo this the screw for the lock will show and you can uninstall the lock in the same way as the door on the opposite side. Just re-fix the one-piece frame back to its original position on completion.

My euro cylinder has 5 pins will your 6 pin euro cylinders still work?

Yes. The number has no bearing on the replacement unless you have a really narrow door and only 5 pins can be fitted into the euro cylinder. This applies to other euro locks too like dimple and trace patterns where there can be many more pins.

Having installed a new euro cylinder the key sticks and is a little clonky?

Undo the door handle screws and the side fixing bolt and then turn the key. The cylinder sometimes needs to find its true level. Once you have this then pinch the screws up slightly and try again until the screws are fully tightened in the lock. If the problem persists use a 3 in 1 or PTFE based oil or similar to ease the lock back to its original condition.

What is lock snapping?

This a technique used by burglars where euro cylinders are snapped and a special tool used to unwind the locks on your door. The weakest point on a euro cylinder is the middle fixing screw, and if too much of the cylinder protrudes from the door this can be clasped and twisted to break the cylinder. Indeed, those cylinder locks that have a break line towards the end of the cylinder can also be vulnerable, as PVC can be opened up allowing the cylinder to be clamped beyond its break line!

The cylinder you see on our website has a reinforced  snap zone, which 'beefs' up the screw hole in the middle via a hardened pin, and is much more secure method than the 'break-line' models on the market. We also have a 3 star anti snap door lock which is tested to be anti snap and complies with TS007. This would take some breaking! That said if your home is aggressively targeted there may be other ways to overcome this and no lock may be beyond such heavy attacks. Read more about lock snapping to understand the problem more thoroughly and why you need to change your euro locks.

What is lock bumping?

This is a technique used by burglars to bounce the pins of your lock into a straight line and a quick action will turn the euro cylinder lock. Special keys are used and the process can be very quick. More about lock bumping.

Are euro cylinder thumbturns as secure as the normal cylinders?

Insurance companies haven't backed these type of locks as yet as they are considered more insecure than the normal double ended euro cylinders. This is down to the fact that devices can be used through a letterbox that can reach the thumbturn, or if glass is close by and part of the door. If in any doubt contact your insurer for their advice in your particular instance when it comes to thumbturn euro cylinders.

How is Millenco Magnum now Yale?

The Assa Abloy group that owns Yale have purchased Paddock Fabrications in Walsall who owned the Millenco brand and so it is now a Yale lock. Yale has re-branded Millenco Magnum to the Yale Superior Series and this will eventually be the box and brand you will see. Nothing else changes!

What is the purpose of the bar coded card sent with the security cylinders?

This is your security card and must be kept safe at all times. If you need to re-order keys then call the number on the card and quote the bar code references or present the card to an authorised key cutter.

The retaining screw you have sent is too long/short

Use your existing screw if you can as this will be the correct length. If the existing screw is damaged then ensure the screw is no longer than the one you are taking out (screw can be cut down). Longer screws can cause damage to the lock case.

Can I get extra keys?

These are available to order at the same time as your locks. Some high street names like Timpsons can cut them for you as well.

Can I order extra keys at a later date?

Yes you can. We need to see a picture of the key and the key card to ensure the two are the same. Once we have the code we can just input these into the key-cutter machine and it will replicate the pattern.

How many keys do I get?

It depends on a few factors. If you are ordering single cylinders then you get 3 keys per cylinder. If you are ordering keyed alike euro cylinders then you will get 3 for the complete set at the time of the initial order, but if you want to match the key pattern to existing cylinders you will not receive any but will need to order one key so we can use this to reconfigure the new barrel/s.

How do I know that it is safe to order keys from you?

We have a stringent policy and system for replicating keys in-house and it follows these guidelines:

Key cutter personnel should never see the address information for the customer's order.

Pin numbers should never be written down or passed between two people in the organisation.

Key blanks should be issued by higher management to the key cutter and should be exactly the number required for the order. If blanks are damaged or are required to be replaced during the cutting process then these must be given back to the controller and accounted for. That way no one can cut extra keys.

If a customer reports keys are missing from the order the whole order must be returned and the key number changed.

Customers ordering extra keys with orders or separate additional keys via a website must provide a picture of the key card details and the key itself. Professional key cutters can read the numbers from the pattern and this way we can ensure it is the correct customer providing the key.

Are your euro cylinders Kitemarked?

Yes in cases where specified, so the manufacturer produces these items under a kitemark license like Yale KM561977 for the DL09 on our website. Customers should remember that having a kitemarked cylinder does not make for a kitemarked secure door unless all the other components on the door, and the door itself, are kitemarked.

Do your euro cylinders meet any British Standards?

Yes they do. Insurers ask for several such as BS3621:2007 and BS EN1303:2005 and these comply. The EN1303:2005 classification is 1-6-0-0-0-C-6-2 for the DL09 Yale Superior Euro Cylinder.

Do you have a euro cylinder that meets PAS24 standards?

Yes. The Yale Superior 1 Star euro cylinder must be used with a 2 star security door handle (such as DS161 or DS269) to ensure enhanced resistance to all commonly used attack methods and meets PAS24. The DL30 Yale Platinum 3 Star Anti Snap door lock meets the standard also.

Why are your euro cylinders cheaper than similar spec locks?

They are genuinely good value for money euro locks and our pricing policy means we price it like any other product - competitively. You can buy euro cylinders much cheaper but they don't have the features they are just anti-pick and anti-drill euro cylinders. Other companies charge much more for the same product we sell or for cylinders with less in the way of security features. All our cylinders are made by the tens of thousands and production like this will yield the right economics. For our part we will never offer anything but good value for money and certainly will not ask you to pay for branding.

Which euro cylinder is the best?

There are so many factors to take into consideration but the table below gives you a start point (and with links back to the product). You can find more information within each product to help you to decide the best features for your own risk assessment.