IC

[wyr2hs]

So what is involved with picking an IC?

[Chucklz]

Depends on the IC. You've got Best style, Schlage style, Yale Large Format style, Medeco....

Best SFIC are the most common however. Nothing too crazy. You do have two different shear lines to deal with, 1st the Operating, or every day "key opens lock" shearline. The upper shearline is the control shearline. This if for core removal. Of course, throw in that the locks are probably Mk'ed and many keyways are rather difficult to pick. Not that they are difficult to maneuver in, rather they require a variety of tension tools, or at the least I find that I require a variety of tension tools.

[TOWCH]

The Best I took apart also had the added goody of spool pins, so that's another thing you can look forward to.

[thertel]

Spool pins in a best lock is rather uncommon, I've decombinate nearly a 100 of the things from differeny sources and yet only found one spool pin and it was definently something done aftermarket. It actually make the lock rather sloppy due to where it was place in the lock I found it in.

Thomas

[TOWCH]

It surprised me too. Mine had several and was a 7 pin. I was unable to pick it and eventually ended up just shimming the blasted thing. Seeing the spool pins helped me regain some of my dignity.

[thertel]

The SFIC's really weren't meant to have spool pins in them, or mushrooms for that matter, it just jacks up everything. If you must have security pins in the lock go for a serrate pin or even get a KeyMark SFIC.

Thomas

[TOWCH]

Figures, the reason it came in to my possesion is the key was no longer working and the owner was going to chuck it.

[wyr2hs]

Ok first of all what are spool pins and what is Mk'ed? Also what variation of tension is required, do i need more then the two basic tools? Also what is a sequrity pin?

[CaptHook]

MKd= master keyed. An extra pin in the stack(s) that creates an alternate shearline for 2+ keys to be able to open the lock.
It can be done with standard tools, though I personally find a very thick wrench "wedged" into the keyway gives the best feedback.
Spool pins are a type of security pin. Imagine a thread spool shape instead of a smooth cylinder. There are also mushroom and serrated pins. They are designed to create false sets, meaning a feeling that you have the pin where it is supposed to be.
Chuck

[TOWCH]

Spool pins are shaped like a barbell and will bind up the shear line until pressure is backed off and they are raised above the shear line. Security Pins are any one of the following: Mushroom pins(shaped like a mushroom), Spools(already explained), and Serrated pins(have multiple horizontal rings cut into them). All three are designed to make picking difficult by binding the pins between the plug and the body. Mked=MasterKeyed. Your best bet for picking a SFIC would be making a SFIC tool. Search for more information.