medeco pick

[Rath]

here we go this is what i was talking about earlier wach this movie and go to 22:26 on the video and i was wondering if it would still prove useful today?

click here

[Romstar]

here we go this is what i was talking about earlier wach this movie and go to 22:26 on the video and i was wondering if it would still prove useful today?

If you are refering to the Medeco decoder, it is still quite useful, as a huge number of first gen Medeco locks are still very much in use.

The Medeco bi-axial locks are a bit more difficult, but to be perfectly honest, only in so far as cutting the keys really. Certain things have been changed concerning the pins, the pin stops, the locations of the pin stops, and the manner in which the sidebar engages. They are minor changes really, but all together they do a fair amount to enhance the pick resistance of the locks.

The decoder doesn't work like it is supposed to on bi-axial Medeco locks, and as such makes it a questionable investment if you are buying one new today. There is a decoder for the new Medeco locks available from John Falle, through MBA as well as a few other places.

My best advice to you is to get a first gen Medeco, and a new Bi-Axial, and tear them apart to see the differences. Then, practice picking them like crazy. When you tear them down, make good and sure you notice where everything goes.

Romstar

[Mad Mick]

When you tear them down, make good and sure you notice where everything goes.

A useful aid in this process, is to take a digital pic of each step you make.

[Rath]

cool thank you but arnt those picks or devices restricted?

[Romstar]

A lot of this stuff is supposed to be restricted. At least that's what they say. The long and the short of it though is that it depends entirely upon the laws of where you live.

Some companies are right bastards though, and refuse to deal with you, even though there is no way to certify that you are a locksmith, purely because there IS NO CERTIFICATION in your state.

If you live in one of these places where there is no certification you basically have to fight and argue with the company selling the products until they deal with the fact there there is no way to prove you are a locksmith.

It's been my experience, based upon this lack of a unified base of laws that almost every single company will deal with you so long as you sound reasonable, and tell them that you are in the trade.

It's my considered opinion that the laws should deal exclusively with the illegal USE of the tools, not the POTENTIAL use of the tools, and regulation of who can and cannot call themselves a locksmith. Some want a business registration, or a tax number. Most are satisfied with a business card, letterhead, or copy of your yellow pages ad. Come to think of it, I had one place that didn't believe I was in the trade because I couldn't send them a yellow pages ad. It might have had something to do with the fact that I MISSED the yellow pages last year.

How many people do you know who call themselves mechanics who have never stepped foot inside of a trade school, or apprenticed for several years in the shop of a recognized licensed mechanic? Yet, we allow anybody to buy the tools to set up an automotive shop, and potentially cause the loss of life because of poor workmanship, or inadequate knowledge.

Flip this over, and compare it to locksmithing. The only trade short of medicine where it is supposed to be illegal to possess the tools unless you are in the trade. The majority of our law makers are ignorant, frightened people who seem only marginally more afraid of education than they are of the boogy man. If these morons would learn what a lock pick can do, rather than let Hollywood educate them, then maybe we wouldn't have stupid laws.

Well, then theres senator McCain, who's only interest seems to be more money. But that's an entirely different argument concerning big business, lobbying, and the derailment of the public interest in the name of profit.

If you really want the tools, either get the money, and figure out how to get them, or learn to make them yourself. A basic machinist's course can go a long, long way toward your future.

Romstar

[Luke]

This is going to be a pretty random coment. But tools a restricted because of the "Secrecy" of lockpicks for example.
HERES A REALLY GOOD OF EXAMPLE OF COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLS*&&
For the first year of a locksmith course at tafe, a huge part of it focuses on keeping it secret and not telling ANYONE how to pick, etc. If they dont have the secret squirel hand shake they're not in. KABA won't sell to me, Lock n Key MIGHT, LSC does. Guess who were the nicest to deal with before they even knew my name.... LSC. Treated me human for a change.

[Rath]

so what your saying is dont even bother unless you know you are going to be facing these kind of locks on a regular baisis. well thank you all for your feedback it is much appreaciated

[Romstar]

Well, certainly that is one way to look at it. From a financial stand point, and also a frustration stand point.

However, from a hobbiest stand point, you may want to spend a great deal of time learning and defeating the Medeco locks purely because of their inherant difficulty.

From a trade perspective, if you expect to see these locks often, then get every piece of information and tooling that you can afford.

I will never curtail anyones interest in a lock, or in a tool. I merely want everyone to be aware of what may lie in store for them as they go forward either in the trade, or as a hobbiest.

Romstar