My Project - BEST SFIC system

[synth]

***MY MAIN PROJECT***

Well, I figure i might as well post my current aspirations here.

At my school (where I live), we have Best brand locks. After searching this forum, i discovered that they (im pretty darn sure) are the SFICs. I also looked at that nice SFIC website with lots of pictures.

My goal is to create working master keys for as many sets of locks at this place as possible, and hopefully control keys as well.
This is as much as a personal challenge to become decent at lockpicking as anything else.

What I'm dealing with:
-a somewhat large facility with multiple master keys for different areas/buildings
-Best SFIC locks with type F keyway

My current progress/tools:
-novice lockpicking experience (ive opened a few 5pin padlocks)
-southord MPXS-62 set
-4 or 5 master keys in my posession copied to type A blanks (i need type F, these don't fit into the darn locks) that i received from an old friend. luckily, these are to main areas of interest. not 100% sure that these keys are actually cut accurately, but i'm pretty sure. i guess i'll find out.
-access to one or more master keys for very short periods of time (a matter of minutes). I figure that if my current masters (on A blanks) are in fact complete garbage, i can maybe measure the borrowed master (but it may only be one, but at least its the one that is most valuable to me) with calipers and duplicate it by hand with a file.
-20 type F blanks (ordered from internet, should arrive in a week or so)

Still to get:
-a nice grobet #4 round file (that pippin is like 15 or 20$ more, no real advantage that ive heard about). this will come when i can save up some more cash.
-more skill
-a pair of calipers (save up cash, or borrow from a friend)
-a SFIC tension tool (save up cash, freakin 12$+shipping.. not a sweet deal in my opinion)


Current plans:
-wait for the F blanks, and try to get some locksmith to copy my A masters to these. Will they probably do this?
-if these copied A masters are no good, i guess i'll have to try to copy the thing by hand with calipers and a file. however, i'll probably only be able to get one master (but its the most valued one, probably.).
-for others, try to pick the thing with that tension tool and get the core out. then measure pins with calipers to produce control key and masters.

questions:

-these SFICs will have only 3 possible keys, right? a control key, a master key (for that area/building), and change key? there could not possibly be a more powerful master key that spans to muliple areas, right? also, might these controls be mastered? if so, most likely in the same fashion as the masters (by area/building)?

-if i get this core out by some miracle with that tension tool, will it be difficult to re-insert? (the way i see it, i can pull the thing out and then re-insert it and turn it to the normal position without re-picking, but if i turn the cylinder to the locked position while removed from the doorknob, it would have to be re-picked to be re-inserted right? that means ill have to be able to pick it dependably to make this plan work, since i need to have it in the locked position to eject the pins and then repick it to reinsert it into the knob? this could be troublesome if i cant re-pick it. i'd be shit out of luck.)

-would i be likely to run into a locksmith (or someone else) who could/would produce a key for me based on measurements taken with calipers (either from borrowed key or from measurements from a remoed core with ejected pins), removing my need for a file?

-to get required info from a removed core to make a control, only one core is needed (just the top pieces of each stack). but for a master, ill need more than one core to avoid ambiguity? or is it just the next set of segments in each stack (2nd from top)? if not, about how many would i probably need per area?


Well, ive committed this to myself as my current main personal project.

I'm on a mission.

Thanks if you actually bothered to read all of this. If you have any answers/criticism to my questions/gameplan, please let me know.

As always, ill keep you all updated.

Thanks again!!!

-synth

[stick]

Be careful about the legalities of this plan. It depends on what you mean by residency at the school.

[TOWCH]

I can't imagine how you could decode the master key in this method legally. You won't get any help with illegal activity here. There is a trial and error method that works if you have a working operating key but the legalities of that are dubious. I can understand your temptation, but I would advise restraint as there is really no legitimate reason other than cool factor for you to have an unauthorized master key anyway. If you still want to tackle the problem for kicks, Best master key systems go up fo sale on ebay every now and then.

[Exodus5000]

If I understand what you're doing correctly, it is in fact illegal, and reproducing a control or master key will NOT be taken lightly. This is a very very bad idea.

[synth]

i'm not trying to rob anyone. i live here and i have access to this stuff, but i dont want to take anything to a locksmith and get it copied. these are the most difficult [while still possibly an attainable goal] locks availible to me, and i would feel pretty accomplished if i manage to do something neat here.

i'm sorry if i've frightened anyone. i'm not a burgalar, i'm just trying to learn [even if the methods are not respected by the professional community.]

i appreciate all of the support i've gotten, and all of the wonderful people here.

if you guys wont help me, that's fine. i will probably still post any interesting progress i come across if it interests others, if there are no objections (again, im not trying to be a scrouge to any community or to the law).

if i own one of of these locks, is there anything wrong with me trying to reverse engineer/compromise it to the fullest extent i see fit?

i dearly value mechanics and sciences. my personal projects are some of my greatest joys.

again, my greatest thanks and sincerest appologies where appropriate.

-synth

[Exodus5000]

i'm not trying to rob anyone. i live here and i have access to this stuff, but i dont want to take anything to a locksmith and get it copied. these are the most difficult [while still possibly an attainable goal] locks availible to me, and i would feel pretty accomplished if i manage to do something neat here.

I believe you're not a crook, but the police wont use as much discretion as we will here. Get permission first from whoever owns or runs the facility that the locks are in.

I have best locks on my dorm/college facilities. I'm not about to touch them however, because I don't want to get kicked out and/or arrested. I asked if there was some I could have (you never know) but they told me no. So I bought some off of ebay. That might be a good solution for you too.

Remember your behavior reflects this forum. Don't do anything shady.