pick design using depth/space and MACS

[Peter Martin]

So if I make a hook pick which I want to work on a Schlage lock--as an example. I needs to reach the deepest pin--which is the distance from shoulder to first pin (.231") plus the distance btw the four succeeding pins (4x.156") for a total reach of at least... .855"

And to move a pin into the picked position--without disturbing the previous pin--the hook must have a depth at least equal to the factory specified MACS (maximum adjacent cut separation)... thus with a Schlage factory MACS of 7 and a .015" pin difference, the hook must be .105" deep to work adequately...

Is this correct? Just want to make sure I understand the designing process...

[SFGOON]

You may be putting a bit too much thought into this. MACS only applies using rocker picks, which expliots this mechanical limitation to pick locks. When it comes to hooks, wards in the keyway determine how deep a hook in used. Pin by pin picking is intuitive and based on feel and guessing - as such it is difficult to quantify mathmatically.

[raimundo]

look at a key, then design the pick to do the middle heights, the pick can move in the keyway in a way that the key cannot so the extremes are not useful dimensions for the pick. they limit it like the key is limited. the pick has freedom of movement to get around those limitations.

[Shrub]

Sometimes you have to overlift pins as well which a close fitting pick wont do,