how to pin up best IC core locks?

[victorylocksmith]

i have a project next week with IC Cores, ive only ever dealt with Schlage IC cores and they are pretty simple but, I have no idea how best small format or large format works.

[DavePaulson]

This is a good read. http://www.lab-lockpins.com/files/artic ... System.pdf

[GWiens2001]

Uhh, VLS...

How many locks in this job? SFIC is not nearly as easy as Schlage. It is an entirely different animal.

Do you even have the proper tools to combinate the cores? Do you know how to determine the needed pins for all required keys for the change keys, master keys, control keys, and so forth? Do you know what the total pin stack height is supposed to be? Can you calculate for both shear lines?

There are some threads here on Best. You can search for pinning calculator, combinating SFIC cores, tools for SFIC, and so on.

This is not meant to belittle your skills. Just a caution to hopefully keep you from biting off more than you expected. If you do not have the tools, get them before you do the job. Get some cores, punch some keys, and play with the pin kit until you have a good idea of what you are doing first. SFIC is not the kind of work that you should learn as you go.

Do your homework, and decide if you should do the job.

Gordon

[MBI]

i have a project next week with IC Cores... I have no idea how best small format or large format works.

Are you kidding me? You accepted a job you have no idea at all how to do?

[averagejoe]

Yup, SFIC cores are a whole other beast.

They require their own pin kits and there are several different ones depending on which pinning system you are going with. They are A2, A3, and A4 with A2 being the most common. Key depths are different with the systems. With A2 there are chamber caps, springs, 18 different master/top pins and 10 bottom pins. Here is a standard A2 pin kit


You will need a capping/decapping block to repin the cores. Do you need to cut keys? That requires a special punch. You can't really cut them on a normal key machine. Then doing all the pinning math is a real PITA if you don't have a chart for it already.

[cledry]

You can get by without the capping block and even the pins in a pinch. Cut a SFIC rim cylinder with a hack saw to make a jig to hold in your vice. For top caps use a 35 master pin from a standard lab kit not SFIC. It will take more time and care but it is doable. I've done it.

[dll932]

Here's an easy way to figure the pinning:

http://www.lockcodes.com/pin/

[MatrixBlackRock]

i have a project next week with IC Cores, ive only ever dealt with Schlage IC cores and they are pretty simple but, I have no idea how best small format or large format works.

At the very minimum I would recommend you obtain a LAB Annex LICCB, a Mini DUR-X IC LMDICC pinning kit or the larger version BFK108, and a Lab Pinning Chart IC Cylinder LSC001, with those three tools you will be in a good position to dump read and recombinate SFIC cores.

Now as for originating keys, you will of course need blanks that match the section you will be working and a way to cut them, I picked up a Pro-lock Blue Punch A2 IC and found it is very simple to operate and works very well originating keys that work the first time and very smoothly, the Blue Punch A2 can also cut A3 and A4 system by utilizing either the ZBP502IC-A3 and ZBP502IC-A4 code bars, which you should be able to order from the same dealer who supplied your punch.

Any other questions just ask.

Wayne

[MatrixBlackRock]

i have a project next week with IC Cores, ive only ever dealt with Schlage IC cores and they are pretty simple but, I have no idea how best small format or large format works.

Also when making up your pinning chart do remember Best reads from the tip and do add up your columns and make sure the totals match the system, A2 = 23, A3 = 16 and A4 = 14.

Wayne

[Sinifar]

Not only is SFIC is different animal entirely, but you have to do it blind. That is, load cores, then try your cut keys. SFIC keys are super fussy about being "exact" and there is no other way around this item.

Knowing the "math" is only part of the problem. Next is loading the cores. Several pins like to go in sideways and you had better make sure your pin stacks "look" equal as you scan the pin stacks, or the thing will jamb up and it may fire a few caps back at you due to the pin stack being taller than it should be and the tight tolerances in the cores.

Keys should only be made as originals on a punch of some type, either the A-1 or the blue punch. If you get your hands on a Best combinator, be sure it is set for the right pin group - A-2 or A-4. On that A-3 is basically dead. There are very few if any left around. The majority of SFIC work is done with A-2, so you should be okay.

Either Lab or Best original pins will work. I have used both over the ages and get the same results.

AS far as cores, Arrow, Best, GMS, KSP, Falcon, or any other SFIC will work. No keyway is harder than the others, all are the same. Arrow Flex however will require a different set up as this key is wider than most, and Best "W" premium series needs their own as well as this key is super wide and difficult to work with. For those I have the Framon jaws and this set up works.

As far as rotary machines, forget almost all of them. They do not cut close enough except the Framon 2. which you should have adjusted to the exact micrometer (0.00 - 0.00) cut V/s what you dialed in. I have made SFIC on the HPC 1200 punch, but here again you will need to experiment to find out how exactly to do this one right. It is not automatic. You need to use some "Kentucky windage" on this machine.

Good luck on your project...

Sinifar

[MatrixBlackRock]

Next is loading the cores. Several pins like to go in sideways and you had better make sure your pin stacks "look" equal as you scan the pin stacks, or the thing will jamb up and it may fire a few caps back at you due to the pin stack being taller than it should be and the tight tolerances in the cores.Good luck on your project...

Sinifar

I have found the evictor tool to be very handy to determine if everything is equal, drop it into the holder and note the height of pins 1 to 7, if all is equal it's good to go, it is also real handy for nudging a sideways or cocked pin into place.

Wayne

[averagejoe]

I have found the evictor tool to be very handy to determine if everything is equal, drop it into the holder and note the height of pins 1 to 7, if all is equal it's good to go, it is also real handy for nudging a sideways or cocked pin into place.

Wayne

I do the exact same thing.

[Sinifar]

Ya, I do too. BUT, when you have a full crib (20) cores sitting there it is time to move. Pinning one or two you can take the time to measure the things and to be sure a 3 or 4 hasn't flipped over, it okay.

What I do is as I finish pinning the core, before it goes back into the crib for springs and caps in the press is just to look down at the stacks. They should all appear the same height. IF not, stop and get that pin flipped back over, then move on.

Cribs are "A 1 security manufacturing Corp. #12, combinating tray". Best calls then "cribs". There is also Best Bench Boxes. These hold 5 rows of 20 or 100 cores at a time. Stamp your combination code number either on the face or side of the core like usual then drop in the bench box. Then you can get onto the pinning part and into the capping press without further messing up the job. ALSO if you are working with either cribs or bench boxes you are less likely to drop a loaded core.

Sinifar

[jeffmoss26]

Do you have a picture of this combinating tray? The only thing I see on A1's website is a stamping plate.
Thanks!

[Sinifar]

Okay, here 'tis, sitting on our woody....

One facing and one showing the back, I have about 8 of these around here...



Sorry no bench boxes, those only came over from Best when we got tons of cores to load for them. It was not unusual for "our cut" of the job to be 5 full boxes, and you don't even want to know how cheaply Best paid for us to load, spring and cap the things. But HEY! it was a few bucks.

Sinifar