Master Lock No. 1- 600 of them!

[sbken]

I'm new at this but am fascinated by this site and can't wait to try picking a lock. My problem though is that I have 600 master lock's (#1) and am wondering whether I can make a master key that will work in all of them. I read the article at http://www.crypto.com/papers/mk.pdf which details a method to make master keys. Will it work on these locks?

Thanks for any help!

[Chucklz]

It will work if indeed these locks were Master Keyed. Do you have the keys for all 600 locks? Did you order them as a Master Keyed set?

[sbken]

The locks were not originally purchased mastered but I do have all the keys. Do these locks always have multi-cut pins for mastering or only if ordered as a mastered set. I thought I'd seek the answer here before disassembling a lock to find out.

Thanks

[Chucklz]

Master #1 locks will only have master pins installed if requested when ordered. Sorry. And when you ordered 600 locks, didn't someone ask about master keying?

[sbken]

Just returned from my shop. Disassemble one lock and you're right, Chucklz, no master pins.

I just inherited this job (volunteer for non-profit annual event) and it was obvious to me that these s/b mastered to eliminated keeping track of 600 keys. Oh well. At least I learned how to pick a lock at this site. Now I'll try and see if I actually have the skill to do it!

[Chucklz]

Im wondering if you could get a quote from Master for 600 MK'd locks, and possibly ebay your current 600 for a good part of the price.

[frollard]

it sounds likely though that he intends to USE all those locks - "the need for keeping track of 600 keys"

[liquidz]

Just returned from my shop. Disassemble one lock and you're right, Chucklz, no master pins.

I just inherited this job (volunteer for non-profit annual event) and it was obvious to me that these s/b mastered to eliminated keeping track of 600 keys. Oh well. At least I learned how to pick a lock at this site. Now I'll try and see if I actually have the skill to do it!

I hate to bring up a post that's been idle so long, but I wanted to ask how you managed to disassemble one of the #1's? I have one that I would like to take apart so I can get a better look at it's inner workings. However I want to take it apart in a way that I can put it back together. I was going to cut/grind off the ends of the rods that go through the lock (at least I think they are rods going through the lock) I was then going to punch the rods out and replace them with ones that I can easily take out.

Is this something kinda like what you did?

[sbken]

yep, used my dremel to grind off the (bottom) end of the pins and it came apart clean. Could be re-assembled with replacement or fabricated pins, but having 599 more, I trashed this one when finished. FYI obviously the pins and springs are very small and easily damaged. Spin the cylinder 180 degrees with the key inserted to remove the pins through the small holes provided. Careful not to damage the springs.

I'm describing this from memory. You'll figure it out once you get into it. Have fun.

[liquidz]

The irony is that I don't have the key, I found it laying around. I probably have the key somewhere, however it's most likely the key is lost forever, or until I take it apart and no longer need or have the lock lol.