Corbin Emhart picking

[Korver15]

Ok. So I can pick medecos when tensioned counter clockwise (background) havn't put much time into picking them clockwise.

What is the attack strategy for Emhart cylinders. I know how they work, I know I can't attack the same way since they operate very differently. I have looked at @farmerfreaks' videos on them and am going to rewatch for information.

I have one that I'm going to disassemble and start progressively picking, but I want to know what I'm looking for before I start. Helps to know what to feel for

[Korver15]

Just had a realization that this might be part of advanced. Not sure. If it is than take it down!

[Squelchtone]

I'll allow it.

[MBI]

I can tell you right now what Farmerfreak is going to tell you.

Apply tension, insert pick and find the binding element.
Move the binding element until it sets.
Find the next binding element, move it until it sets.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

I know this may sound facetious, but it's completely true.

[GWiens2001]

Problem with picking an Emhart is that the pins are interlocking.

How do you re-align them once you have turned the plug? The answer - you probably won't be able to, unless you turn the lock upside-down and have a tremendous amount of luck.

The key pins will drop, and you will be unlikely to be able to get them all lined up correctly to turn the plug back to 'zero'. At least I never could. You will need to disassemble the lock once it is picked, re-attach the key pins to their driver pins, and reassemble the lock each time you pick it.

So if you are going to pick it, make sure it is not mounted in such a way that you will not be able to disassemble the lock.

Gordon

[MacGyver101]

I wonder if the old trick of packing the keyway full of dental floss would work? (You'd need to do it before turning the cylinder very far: you'd need the key pins to still be mostly interlocked with the drivers.)

[Korver15]

I'll allow it.

[Korver15]

I can tell you right now what Farmerfreak is going to tell you.

Apply tension, insert pick and find the binding element.
Move the binding element until it sets.
Find the next binding element, move it until it sets.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

I know this may sound facetious, but it's completely true.

You say binding element. Is the binding feel much different between rotating and lifting? Since with this design you truly have to lift and rotate. Medeco you can quite easily tell when they are turned to the correct angle.

Just trying to anticipate a thing to feel for.

[FarmerFreak]

I can tell you right now what Farmerfreak is going to tell you.

Apply tension, insert pick and find the binding element.
Move the binding element until it sets.
Find the next binding element, move it until it sets.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

I know this may sound facetious, but it's completely true.

Everyone be careful. MBI is a mind reader.

One thing to add specific to these locks is that there are no spools. So once it picks to what would normally be a false set. You only need to focus on the angles.

How do you re-align them once you have turned the plug?

If, and only if the lock is not masterkeyed, you have the key, and the lock is mounted with the driver pins above the key pins.

Then after picking, turn it back to neutral, insert the key and rotate it. The driver pins will drop back down into the grooves and when you take the key back out everything will be back to normal.

Otherwise, yes take it apart.

[GWiens2001]

Thanks, FF!

Gordon

[Korver15]

One thing to add specific to these locks is that there are no spools. So once it picks to what would normally be a false set. You only need to focus on the angles.

That is really good to know. So it is possible to break it up into two parts.