Medeco Classic with ARX Breakdown

[JK_the_CJer]

This one is pretty short but hopefully you guys learn something (or perhaps correct me and I'll learn something). I finally picked my old-school non-biaxial Medeco. It is by far the most difficult Medeco (and lock) I've ever opened. I wrote a short deal about that here:

http://theamazingking.com/locks.html#med1

I already put up breakdowns of the Biaxial and m3 when I got those picked, so I figured may as well round off the series. Here is a quick breakdown of the lock:

http://theamazingking.com/images/medeco/medeco.html

I focused on the unique aspect of this cylinder (the ARX key pins) and also the differences between Biaxial and non-Biaxial pins. Enjoy

[Trip Doctor]

Well done JK.

[jgencinc]

Good job JK. Nice looking site too. I like the layout, and the pictures in the breakdown are really nice. Keep up the good work.

[Beyond]

Neat stuff.

I just had to rekey a few of these as well as learn to interpret the degrees of cuts (you -20,0,20 is my left, center, right) and depths of cuts by site. I should be getting mine in any day, I ordered mine through my shop a few days ago.

Glad to see your article though. Outstanding pictures.

[JK_the_CJer]

Neat stuff.

I just had to rekey a few of these as well as learn to interpret the degrees of cuts (you -20,0,20 is my left, center, right) and depths of cuts by site. I should be getting mine in any day, I ordered mine through my shop a few days ago.

Glad to see your article though. Outstanding pictures.

Thanks! Yeah the real way way to refer to them is L, R, C or K/M, Q/S, B/D for Biaxial, but I always mix up which is which. In fact, I really tend to think of them as push, pull, and center. This refers to what you'd need to do the pin's right side when looking down the keyway (push it, pull it, or center it) to set it to the correct angle. Perhaps I should come up with some simple way to remember which one is L and which is R

[Squelchtone]

Hi JK,

Nice photos and explanations. I like the mushroom driver the most. I noticed you did mention that you are not sure about ARX's inception date. You are correct it was the early 90's for Medeco to actually market this as a system, by mixing random pins together and using different sidebar millings to thwart decoding. The original pins were open until the mid 70's when a couple guys made a decoder, then Medeco closed the grooves, and these days most grooves are wide open even on the Biaxials. If you want to get picky, your classic pins are actually known as milled, and the ones where the sidebar groove goes all the way up and down is called broached.

Squelchtone

[img]http://nynex.s5.com/TOOOL-US-Boston/locks/Medeco/pins/ARX/arx-milled.jpg[img]

[dougfarre]

Most of the Origonal's I have seen usually have more than 1 mushroom pin. Usually around three.

[JK_the_CJer]

Most of the Origonal's I have seen usually have more than 1 mushroom pin. Usually around three.

I found it strange as well. This mushroom driver is also quite differently shaped than my other Medeco mushroom driver pins, this may be indicate a non-original pinning. The drivers are also balanced which makes me tend to think they may be original (or at least actual Medeco).

[JB0311NY]

Great stuff JK. I love the sight, and seeing you pick that Medeco is kinda what got me into picking in Dec.
Well I have like 12 lock's now, but I still hav'nt got into the Medeco yet allthough thanks to you i have a greater understanding of it.
Yea and my review of the lock got me promoted at my Security job.

Who says an old grunt can't learn new tricks... Semper Fi

[windoww]

thank you Bro Thats I m looking

[JB0311NY]

Anyone got a solid solution for making a Wedge for the slider? I broke my Master 911 today and I think I want to start working my M3
I read a steve hampton book on High security locks and I understand the 20 degree offset and the mushroompins now... I saw one on a sight for like $3 but I lost the link
Gotta get some more skillz and I think I'm up to the challenge. I am a Kregier and competition is in my blood, my self my only opponent. (cause you all would out pick me)
3 months picking and I allready picked 1 "high security lock"
and I am torturing the cleaning guys at my job by picking the locks for the toilet paper with my tie clasp.... lol

Worst part about working for a newspaper is like today. 0200 get the first batch and it says LI woman Kill's her 3 kids. WTF TARFU someone handcuuf her and drop her in the mohave in august. Best part is a supply of Medeco's... lol