Protel XP1230 / 1200 Payphone "Key Blanks"

[vk4akp]

Looking for some help on the following related to Protel XP1230 / 1200 Payphone Keys.

- Identifying the Key Blanks used so we can duplicate keys.
- Possibly obtaining a master key for opening the top section.
- Info on how hard it is to pick the locks?

Any help appreciated.





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[billdeserthills]

I would call Medeco, looks like their key, does the lock have a code number?
They can put you in touch with whoever sells the keys by code
http://www.medeco.com
might be a good place to start

[vk4akp]

Hi, Thanks.

The key has a number etched into it.

Interestingly enough the cut looks to be identical to the one in the picture too.
I believe it's like a master key across that models range.

See, Compare it to ours.



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[billdeserthills]

Those locks are Medeco biaxial, many locksmiths have trouble even making a copy
the locks cannot be profitably picked open, as it can take much too long

[vk4akp]

OK Interesting.

Do you know the exact key / part number and where to buy the blanks?

Also why are they hard to cut? They look like they'd cut quiet easily in a standard cutter?

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[billdeserthills]

Your second key's first cut looks deeper. Also until you hold the key so you are looking down on it, you won't
be able to see the angle of the cuts & there are 5 different angles/locations

[billdeserthills]

OK Interesting.

Do you know the exact key / part number and where to buy the blanks?

Also why are they hard to cut? They look like they'd cut quiet easily in a standard cutter?

.-.-.

Only Medeco will know who owns the keyway and who is allowed to sell you the key blanks
these Biaxial keys are cut on a special key machine that has a cutter head that can be angled left & right
If you look down onto the key you can usually see some of the cuts are facing left & some are center or right

[vk4akp]

Hi, OK thanks.

Big learning curve for me.

I just did some googling b4 coming back here and I understand now. It's the angle of the cuts.

I hadn't had a close look at the key.

OK. Lots of good info.

Hopefully we can just get a few originals from the original manufacturer.

I've also emailed Medeco just in case.

Once we open the phones. Can the barrel in the locks be replaced with something a bit more easier to interact with?

The phones are going into a semi social environment. (Amateur Radio related).

So security is not so important. A normal lock and key would be sufficient.

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[billdeserthills]

Most medeco cam locks use the same tailpiece that an ace type (round key) cam lock uses
those would be much less costly and each will come with two keys for about $5+

[vk4akp]

Cool. Thanks for the great info.

I'll post some pictures of the lock tomorrow when I get home.
I do remember there are two small screws at the back. So I'm hoping the barrel will come out easily.

Perhaps you can point me to a good easy supplier for the barrel & 2x Key alternatives for $5 each.

I'm in Australia but don't mind buying abroad if necessary.

Also as another question. ...

- Is there any easy tricky way to hand cut these BiAxial keys?

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[Squelchtone]

Most medeco cam locks use the same tailpiece that an ace type (round key) cam lock uses
those would be much less costly and each will come with two keys for about $5+

Payphones were designed to be very difficult to break into, there is no cheap $5 dollar locks made for them. the locks are also extremely custom and payphone manufacturer specific and the lower and upper lock housings are completely different. A Medeco lock out of a Coke machine or a tool box cam lock won't just pop in as an easy direct replacement.

Here's replacement lower locks, that are payphone model specific: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161468186245

Here's another: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161718588468

Just how many payphones are you trying to get locks for? do you have a set of working keys now to at least open 1 of your phones uppers and lowers so you can pull the locks out and then be able to buy the correct model replacements?

If Medeco doesn't reply to your email, contact these people, their job is getting payphone replacement parts including locks.
http://www.tullc.us/category.php?id_category=12

or these guys
https://www.payphone.com/Locks-and-Keys/

or these guys
http://www.payphonehelp.com/payphoneparts.html

Squelchtone

[vk4akp]

Hi, Thanks for all the good info and links.

I've just spent the night looking into this all further.

Some things I've discovered.

- There are Bump keys that can be made to open these locks.
- Using a scan of the key (which we have) it is possible to also make a fake key by cutting up 3x credit card style plastic sheets.
- I have located what I believe is a source of correct key blanks. (However I want this double checked).
- Once open there is a huge range of alternative "Cam Locks" using more standardised keys that we should be able to adapt.

Now to answer your question.

We currently have 5 of these phones.
They have been decommissioned here in .AU and are starting to come on to the market.
The only key we have is for the bottom money box. It too is a Medeco BiAxial lock however it's a longer key and doesn't slide into the top lock at all. Each phone has it's own unique key pattern cut for the money boxes.
We also don't have the "T" key but these are simple to obtain.

The original seller has one only of the top keys that opens into the electronics. This key fits all of the phones. It's like a master key.
He is about 2 hours drive from here so it's preferable not to have to return to him if possible.

Our application is we hope to use the phones in our Amateur Radio group.
We run an Asterisk PBX system that interfaces not only the telco lines into our network but also our All_Star radio network.

We see some interesting fun applications including JOTA events etc where these old phones can be enjoyed.

Security isn't a big issue. If obtaining spare keys proves to be hard. Once we have access to the phones we will simply remove the Medeco locks and replace with more low tech ones with keys we can duplicate. (We have our own key cutting machine).

I'm just working on getting some more photo's onto our server but I don't have my normal PC so it might not be till tomorrow that I can do this.

[vk4akp]

Seems I can't edit my own posts here.

I've managed to get the photo's online. Check this link for many photo's.

http://shazam.zapto.org/igal/protel-xp1230-1/

[Squelchtone]

Obtaining keys and or blanks will be very hard because the people who have keys don't want bad guys to get their hands on them in case they want to break into a phone that is still in service somewhere.

Making a bump key for those locks would require you to have intimate knowledge of how locks work, how Medeco locks work, and then have the ability to hand file an accurate bump key that also had the correct angles on it. It may be a set of 4 or more bump keys to cover all the angle variations.

Does the person you got the payphones from not have the lower keys? Did he get the phones at auction from the phone company without the keys?

If he could be so kind as to mail you a key to open your uppers, that would save you the 2 hour drive, then when done opening them, mail the key back to him. You could make your own faux key while you have the real one in hand, a dremel, some files and some metal stock would do the job. As for opening the lowers, good luck if they are all different and there is no keys. You either have to learn how to pick a Medeco or drill them out.

Also, all the photos you just posted, do you in fact have a set of keys for upper and lower for at least 1 of your payphones, or are these all stock photos you found on the web?

Thanks,
Squelchtone

[vk4akp]

Hi Squelchtone.

I don't think you've read the previous posts too closely.

We have one each of the lower keys for all 5 phones. (Each key is different)
We don't have the "T" key (not hard to get) or the Upper Key (Which is identical across all phones)

The seller says he only has one of the upper keys and will not loan or part with it.
The phones are decommissioned phones used in the Brisbane city.

I have located a source for Blanks. They are very easily available these days.

There is a video on the net showing the 4 bump keys needed to open these locks. And a demo on using them.
If I were to chase this as a solution I would try and get them to make a set for me. I wouldn't attempt it myself.

You can't drill these locks.

The photo's are a combination of ones I took while there plus some he supplied via email.

Whats a Faux Key?