Masterkey Pinning

[Evan]

Can anyone recommend a good up to date book on master keying? I would really like to learn more about these other techniques.

Fundamentals of Master Keying
By: Jerome V. Andrews, CML

This discusses the major methods of master keying including how to use the standard progression format chart to choose key bittings.

Master Keying by the numbers
By: Billy B. Edwards, Jr., CML

Discusses both methods but goes into more depth on special keying situations and expanding master keying systems using sectional keyways.

~~ Evan

[Divinorum]

Thank you very much Evan

[AusBazza]

Hi Evan,

When you are stating that In most (but not all locks) a 1 step isn't used, does that mean the
masterkey should have the cut adjusted lower to be able to rotate the plug.

There are different "rules" regarding selection of top master key bittings and progressing change keys beneath them...

Some locks require 1-step progression and others require 2-step progression... The "steps" mean that valid keys in the same keying system will always be one or two apart from each other... With 2-step this means Odds/Evens: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 OR 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 in a given pinning chamber and using bitting parity in designing the system... With 1-step progression you can use all depths in a pinning chamber: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, (etc)...

The most common examples of this concept are Kwikset which uses 1-step progression as it uses increments of .023"... Schlage uses 2-step progression as it uses increments of .015" which are too small to properly prevent key interchange...

This can get confusing when you consider that some lock manufacturers can have cylinders which can use 1-step progression or 2-step progression like Corbin-Russwin where 1-step is called "System 70" and 2-step is called "Pre-System 70"...

~~ Evan

Thanks for clearing this up for me,
Bazza