Question about MACS

[pinsetter]

Can someone please give a detailed explanation of what MACS is? What does MACS stand for if it is an abbreviation?

I always read MACS this and MACS that, but I have no idea what I'm reading about. I have gathered that it has something to do with pinning a lock, but I need schooled. Can someone please explain this?

[Shrub]

Maximum Adjacent Cut Specification

It is basically in laymans terms the height of the pins allowed to be next to each other.

If for example you have 10 cut depths, the lock could not have a number 10 cut next to a number 1 cut as the key simply may not fit in or come back out and if it did it would over stress the springs etc.

A lock is pinned with a MACS in view so that you have a certain number of maximum depths between pins, for exampl a MACS of 4 would mean you could have a lock that had a number 1 pin next to a number 5 pin but not a number 6 or upwards.

There are a few threads asking the same question, have a search before posting and youll probably find you answers but either way i hope this helps.

[Shrub]

Hmmm i missed out a sentance there sorry, i meant to say that a MACS 4 would mean that there is a maximum of 4 cut depths between adjacent pins.

[pinsetter]

Thanks Shrub!

That explanation was ideal! I understand perfectly now!

I had done a search, but had not discovered an answer that satisfied me.

I tried the following when searching:
"MACS definition"
"What is MACS?"
"What does MACS mean?"
and, just plain "MACS"

Maybe I'm just not using the right terms when searching? I'm not great at the game of search fu.

Anyway, thanks a million! I doubt there is an explanation that could be more clear than the one you provided.

[Shrub]

No worries, sometimes capital letters confuse the search, just macs brings up 2 pages with a few threads but as you know know its all good mate

[digital_blue]

MACS: May Avoid Casual Scrubbing

MACS: My 'Ands Cramps Severely

MACS: Might Actually Cause Seizures

And another that is too "blue" for this forum... but the last word is "sucker".... use your imagination.

[undeadspacehippie]

The site was down today, i was on another forum (due to withdrawl a junkie will get a fix anywhere - i needed my lock forum fix) and asked a question about a week ago about something, was replied to about MACS - so I tried to figure it out. I guessed correct - which I confirmed with the response by Shrub. Thanks for the help and thanks to the original poster.

[greyman]

pinsetter, I have a detailed explanation of MACS in the context of pin and wafer tumbler locks in my book. It is in the publication pipeline but should be out late this year (I hope).