MACS

[Eyes_Only]

I've read that not pinning a cylinder according to the MACS rule will cause interference in the operation of a key. What kind of interference are we talking about here? Would gross negligence of MACS cause the key to be difficult to insert and remove or something like that?

[Shrub]

Yes basically,

The other issue is wear on the key or pins as well,

If a 9 cut was in-between two zero cuts for example you would have to put quite a bit of force on the key to pull the pin all the way up that slope and thats if it doesnt over lift it and damage the spring,

[Eyes_Only]

Hmm, this makes me wonder. As a hobby picker, would ignoring the MACS rule actually better for us since this I hear make the lock extremely difficult to pick because like you said having a 9 cut next to a zero?

[zeke79]

It also comes into play a bit with being able to cut the keys properly. Even factory spec cutters may not cut a key correctly with a 919191 bitting or a 909090.

[Shrub]

Yes its a great advantage for a hobby picker, ignore MACS to the fullest you can and you have a very hard lock to pick,

Excellent point there Zeke, the phisical dimensions of a cutter and blank may not allow certain cut combinations,