My Latest Practice Lock.

[GWiens2001]

What's the big deal to me about this one? Well, maybe this...
.
.
.




OK, too many Medeco locks in the 'naughty box'. Actually, all 6 of my Medeco locks are in there. It is time to work on removing some of them. Had no key for this one, and needed to make a practice lock anyway. Cut the top of the housing (thinning part of the brass top plate of the IC while I was at it) , peeled off the rest of the brass top plate, and removed the pins. Flicked the IC retainer tab from inside one of the chimneys, and removed the core. Tapped some threads for allen-head set screws (8/32"x3/16"). Reassembled, and tested.





OK, so I don't feel that picking one pin on a Medeco Biaxial IC qualifies for "What I Picked Today". But as it is the first time I have turned a Medeco plug with ANY pins in it (without a key) , I am pretty proud of myself. It still took a couple of minutes, but sure it will take less time as I get practice. After practicing with one pin for a while, will add a second one. After that, will remove one plain driver pin and add a mushroom pin, and then the fun and games will begin.

[MrWizard]

Wow that was a lot of work to get that apart but you got it. That must have taken you a long time. Tapping for set screws to reassemble was a good idea. The added depth of the set screw could interfere with the pinning stack length if a working key was to be placed in it. They use flat brass caps on IC cores cause of the room needed for the pin stack and spring cause the core is shorter in height than regular cyld. There is math used to determine the drivers/top pin length to be sure the pin stack doesn't exceed the working height limit. Like Best/Falcon can't exceed a pin stack over 23 and most other IC core types. I would think Medeco is the same. Set screws in their mortice cyld is fine there is more length to the pin cell height. If you had a blank key you would be able to tell cause it won't go into the lock with set screws screwed down all the way. Still very clever getting that apart and tapping the holes to put it back together and be able to add and remove pins on the fly for practice lock. Good Job!

[GWiens2001]

Just added the second pin to my Medeco practice lock. Took me about 10 minutes to open it the first time with two pins. Have not tried a second time yet. Just plain driver pins for the time being. I knew it would be tough, but didn't expect 10 minutes with only 2 pins! think I may need to make another pick style for turning the pins. Any suggestions? PM me if it might be something not permitted on the public forum. I know Squelchtone said he thinks Medeco is an acceptable subject in the public forums, but he had to check with Mr. Picks and one other, first.

Stopped by a friend's locksmith shop, and bought a few key pins and plain driver pins that are 2, 3, and 4 cuts, trying to keep from using the long key pins when I get to the third, fourth, and fifth bitting locations.