Keys, Cylinders, and Numbers - can we match them?

[MacMarty15221]

I've owned four different 1G DSMs so far in the last two years. Only ONE of them has four lock cylinders that match -and- function. Are there gnomes that go around mixing these things up?

Seriously, I've seen more than one post on here by folks looking for a key to match a given car. Is there any value, or any method, to work within the (declining) community match up mismatched elements? The body of my E7528 has already gone to the shredder, and E6794 is not long for this world. I've heard that one can take a cylinder (and title) to a locksmith to have a new key made, but I have no idea if cylinders can be made.

Or am I just overthinking this?

 

[ist dwa]

I have been able to take the lock cylinders apart and mix and match the stops to match a specific key. If you don't have an exact match for each stopper I just leave them out completely.

 

[Drewpy Dawg]

Years ago I replaced a couple non-functioning lock cylinders and I just took them to a local locksmith who re-keyed them to match my original key. I think he charged me like $10 back then.