Pinning Suggestions for SFIC

[manualf150]

Hi --

I've invested a lot of time, money, and work into physical security and door access control. I've invested a lot of money in grade 1 handlesets, latches/deadbolts, drill guards, and even new frames and doors. I also decided to go with new BEST branded cores. I didn't go thru a local Stanley rep, only because the silly markup for them to make a couple systems for me and the fact they would want me to buy all BEST hardware too.

I've already came up with a couple mastered key systems, that I am currently using. SFIC locks have no MACS restrictions, but I've noticed they are a bit sensitive to having close bittings. Such as for example if key A has a bitting of: 1213114 and key B has a bitting of: 2213214, with some VERY vigerous wiggling of the keys, it will operate the cylinder. Not good. (None of those bittings are in use!) Then I've heard of parity as well, by either going odd or even in terms of the bitting. I do recognize that a mastered system, has inherent flaws builtin.

Any thoughts on this?

[Evan]

I've already came up with a couple mastered key systems, that I am currently using.
SFIC locks have no MACS restrictions, but I've noticed they are a bit sensitive to having close bittings.
Such as for example if key A has a bitting of: 1213114 and key B has a bitting of: 2213214, with some VERY vigerous wiggling of the keys, it will operate the cylinder.

Then I've heard of parity as well, by either going odd or even in terms of the bitting.
I do recognize that a mastered system, has inherent flaws built-in.

Any thoughts on this?

@manualf150:

It sounds to me like you have only a very basic grasp of what masterkeying is and how to create a proper system for the various different lock manufacturers... Your example key bittings:

Key A 1213114
Key B 2213214

Those bittings are invalid for a properly designed Best compatible A2 master keying system... Valid keys must be 2 bitting depth (two-step progression) steps apart (either all even 0, 2, 4, 6, 8; or all odd 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 in a given chamber) in the same pin chamber because the increment steps are only .0125" proper and valid keys would be:

A 1213114
B 3213314

You could use your originally provided bittings if you were working with Best compatible A4 master keying system as the increment steps are .021" and allows for 1 bitting step (single-step progression) between different change keys but A4 is rather uncommon and since you mentioned the ease of your key picking/manipulation you had to have been discussing a standard A2 keying system...

As far as "bitting parity" that is the pattern of odds and evens in the masterkeyig system and applies to locksmiths who have to use the same keyway in a given area so that the possibilities of key interchange between different master key systems for different customers is greatly reduced... If the locksmith used the same bitting parity on every system a change key in one system could be the top master key in another system...

For six pin locks here are some examples of different parities:

OEOEOE
EOEOEO
OOEOEE
EEOEEO

and so on until all 28 unique patterns for six pin locks are exhausted...

~~ Evan

[manualf150]

Thanks for info evan. I'm still learning this. I got the SFIC system for my apartments that I rent after dealing with some interesting experiences lately.

I'm still learning, and I will probably be asking more questions.