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by bja743 » 28 Nov 2007 17:12
Ok sorry for all the silly questions but how do you tell if a IC BEST SFIC lock is a type A, Type B, or Type C? and plz keep in mind i dont know how to take it apart correctly... thxz
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by dougfarre » 28 Nov 2007 21:02
The key way, or if you have a key, then the way the key is shaped. There is actually over 25 different key ways on a Best SFIC. Why do you ask?
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by Eyes_Only » 28 Nov 2007 23:04
I guess if you are a institutional locksmith or someone who does a lot of big commercial locksmith work you get used to it and can identify most of them just through experience.
What I do in the mean time until I can gain such experience, I bought a set made up of about 15 different BEST key blanks off of eBay, keep it on a key ring and just start sticking each one in until I know for sure which one is the correct key blank for the keyway.
But sometimes two or three different keys can enter one keyway depending on how worn out the lock is so be careful.
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
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by WOT » 29 Nov 2007 4:51
bja743 wrote:Ok sorry for all the silly questions but how do you tell if a IC BEST SFIC lock is a type A, Type B, or Type C? and plz keep in mind i dont know how to take it apart correctly... thxz
You mean A2, A3 or A4?
If so, measure each cut on a key or two,compare to specs and you'll figure it out.
If you mean the keyway shape, well you do it visually 
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by bja743 » 29 Nov 2007 8:59
well thxz but i just need to know what type a key way is cause i want to try and use a tension tools with "fingers"... and im not sure witch one to buy...
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by Eyes_Only » 29 Nov 2007 9:14
Fingers? You mean a wishbone tension wrench?
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
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by MacGyver101 » 29 Nov 2007 10:35
No: I think he's referring to a tension wrench for IC locks, with the nibs that grab into the repinning holes in the bottom of the core -- allowing you to more easily pick the lock to the shear line. (They come in a couple of varying dimensions, so it's helpful to know what core(s) you have if you're ordering a wrench.)
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by Eyes_Only » 29 Nov 2007 13:12
I've tried those wrenches and maybe I wasn't using it right but so far I have not been able to pick a SFIC lock at the control shearline at all.
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
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by Afisch » 29 Nov 2007 16:21
I'm yet to get one, though I am hoping to soon. From what I hear some of the newer SFIC locks have these holes that it would grip slanted on both sides to avoid this method. Can anyone confirm this?
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by criminalhate » 29 Nov 2007 16:22
Eyes_Only wrote:I've tried those wrenches and maybe I wasn't using it right but so far I have not been able to pick a SFIC lock at the control shearline at all.
I did once by complete accident witha regular tension wrench =/
I was just trying to pick the cylinder and got it to go at the control shear.
To the OP someone here gave me a link to a pdf with most if not all of Best's lock cylinder key ways. When I get home from work I'll post it if no one else has.
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by bja743 » 29 Nov 2007 16:49
mmmmmmmmmm... Well i dont know if it is the key way or the A-2 system or not, but all it says on the Finger tensions toolssite is that you could buy a type A, B, or type C tension tool for the IC locks...and thxz but i dont think i want to but 26 diffrent key blanks just to find out...anyone have another way to find out witch one i need? i guess all it is is a diffrence between the "fingers" on the tool...:-/
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by bja743 » 29 Nov 2007 17:02
OK well im srry guys ...i did some recearch and found out the ones i need HOWEVER... the ones i was looking at was to better pick the Controls shear line... i need one to help me in picking the Operating shear line ( just checking but operating shear line is opening the lock not removing the IC right ) anyway if anyone has a site that sells those, if they do, then plz tell me
BTW the ones i was looking at are Petersons... they are on
............www.hawleylocksupply.com..................
PS. This is what the alphabet would look like if Q and R were gone...
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by criminalhate » 30 Nov 2007 1:04
bja743 wrote:OK well im srry guys ...i did some recearch and found out the ones i need HOWEVER... the ones i was looking at was to better pick the Controls shear line... i need one to help me in picking the Operating shear line ( just checking but operating shear line is opening the lock not removing the IC right ) anyway if anyone has a site that sells those, if they do, then plz tell me BTW the ones i was looking at are Petersons... they are on ............www.hawleylocksupply.com..................
PS. This is what the alphabet would look like if Q and R were gone...
If you just want to pick the standard control shear then you use a normal tension wrench that fits the key way.
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by Eyes_Only » 30 Nov 2007 1:59
For some strange reason I found that using heavy tension on these suckers can a lot of times pop it open at the operating shearline.
If a lock is a puzzle, then its key is the complete picture
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