BEST SFIC master and control key question.

[SoBeIcedT]

Hello all,

I recently aquired a large set of BEST cylinders and cores on ebay. The seller said that all of the cores are mastered the same. He supplied the user keys but no master or control key. All of the user keys are stamped FB XX where XX is a number. All of the user keys fit in all of the cores so they are all the same keyway. I don't know which keyway they are. (FB maybe?) I would like to create a master and a control key for these locks. I searched the forums for a good hour reading various posts. I learned quite a bit but not exactly what I was looking for.

I'd be willing to sacrifice a cylinder and a core (all the cores are in cylinders) to decode the locks if the process is destructive.

My plan of action goes somthing like this:

I know there are three sheer lines in the lock one for the master one for the user key and one for the control key. From this I know I can make three keys that will work on the lock. I have decided to make all three for one given lock. To make the keys I will open the lock (cut the cylinder with a dremel or somthing to get to the core) once I have the core I will use what I learn here to get to the pins. And from the pins I can find out exactly what keys I need. Then I can get the keys cut somehow (don't know how yet) and then try the keys on the other locks.

My question has a couple parts:

1. How should I go about opening one of the cores to get to the pins?
2. How do I decode the pins? (I know it is by length but is there some chart somewhere that will help me convert the lengths into a code number or somthing of that nature?)

Thank you for your help

[thertel]

Here is what you will need.

1 Impressioning file
1 Tap set
1 I-Core
5-7 Set screws
5-7 Springs
1 Key blank
Some time.

Okay first off. If the I-Cores are in locks you are going to either drill the control lug, or pick the control shear and remove the lock.

Next you are going to decombinate each pinstack one at a time using a punch tool to push out each stack and you need to keep them in order.

Now since you probably don't have a key machine, here is the easiest way to get a control key.

First tap the top of each stack and get some set screws. This is going to be your control key making jig.

Put one stack in in the lock and then file a key down until the control shear is turned. Once it does turn the control shear, slowly dump out the remaining pins in that stack, keeping the control lug retracted. Only one pin should fall out, if more than one does put the pins back in and file some more.

Repeat the above step for each pin stack and then you will have a control key.

Now keep the cylinder as it is now your jig for making control keys.

Thomas Hertel

[thertel]

Oh by the way, I posted my above post against my better judgement but I kept it vague to keep it from being to easy if you didn't know about the lock. Mods, please feel free to edit or delete the above post if you aren't comfortable with it being up.

Thomas

[SoBeIcedT]

I have successfully picked the control sheer line and I have my core. Once I punch each pinstack and get the pins out in order is there a way to find a numerical code for the key and order it or have it cut to a specific length? or do I have to do it myself?, I understand what you are saying though.

Another question what type of key blank do you think I need? I am thinking I have an F keyway but am not sure.

Thanks again

[thertel]

If you do a little research you will find key profile charts on the website which will tell you what blank to use.

You are not going to be able to order the keys code cut, most locksmiths will not code cut SFIC Keys, since they ussually belong to institutions. Normally they require authorization.

I personally cut control keys on the FM blank since it will fit in most of the common keyways.

Thomas

[SoBeIcedT]

thanks a lot. I am ordering a couple blanks off ebay to start working on it.