in the chamber, it will usually correct its position when it reaches the bottom pin. If not, take it out and try again. “I can’t get this darn key out of this lock!” This may be the result of one of the top drivers being too long for the cor- responding bottom pin. Double check the top pin lengths. If the cam screws are loose, the plug may move slightly forward and then the chamber holes become mis- aligned. The solution is to make sure that the cam screws are tight. “I’m testing this pinned core, but the plug won’t turn!” Well, it’s a good thing you didn’t seal the core, because you may have dropped in some incorrect pins. Some I-corers test each chamber before going on to the next chamber. If you’re not careful how you pin your cores, you could fall victim to accidentally dropped pins. That occurs when you carelessly drop a pin from one compartment in the pinning kit into one of the other com- partments. If it doesn’t get you then, it will sometime later. If you were careful to insert the correct pin, then make sure the pin is correctly seated within the pin chamber. “This key works intermittently — like my computer!” Do not hammer the core. As was suggested earlier, make sure the top pins are long enough for the corre- sponding bottom pins. If a top pin is just a bit too short, the spring won’t be able to supply that extra push for the pins to do their rotation dance on the angled cuts of the keys. Remove any possible burrs in the core (clean out the empty core) and check for any deformed or broken locator tabs on the tops of the bottom pins. Also check for burrs that might be hiding in the slots of the bottom pins. And, as dumb as this may sound, check to make sure that top pins, bottom pins and springs are in each chamber. “When I look down the top of the core, the pin chamber holes aren’t lining up, WWW.ALOA.ORG Figure 14. The future of keying may already be behind the closed doors of Medeco, says the author. even when I yell at it!” Save your voice, because the problem may be with the sidebar. If it’s installed backwards, take the cylinder apart and make sure the ball bearing is facing the front of the plug. “The key will only turn one direction, even if I turn the other way!” An inter- esting point, but try turning aſt while the core is fore. Then, it won’t see what’s coming when you reach for your favor- ite approved lubrication. That should do the trick. If not, try cleaning the core thoroughly. The Future? One expects that with a company as in- novative as Medeco, the future will be as- tonishingly bright. And, this could prove true. Even in the face of so many mergers, creativity still needs to thrive within a company whose middle name is “secu- rity.” Pin cylinders that rotate above the plug and change constantly like a lot- tery spinner? Automotive interchangeable cores... What a market! Even the inclusion of many more retrofit I-cores and related hardware is more than possible — espe- cially for a company that knew how to say no to existing paradigms. Only within the walls of Medeco are these kinds of secrets being developed. A wedding of ingenuity and the market place: that’s what Medeco seems to be about. And, the future may already be here... behind those closed doors. A special thank you is extended to Clyde T. Roberson, CML, AHC, CPP, director of Medeco, for his assistance in preparing for this article. illiam M. Lynk, CML, CPS, ML, M.Ed. has been a ksmith since 1975 and the owner of www. Sglobal.com. Bill is an IC specialist, an industry author, the subject matter expert on IC for ALOA, and an ALOA ACE instructor, teaching classes on interchangeable cores and master keying across the country. He has originated SFIC Technical Manuals for both national and international lock manufacturers, and main- tains a working relationship with the major lock and security manufacturers throughout the world. In 2013 and 2015, he was named Keynotes Author of the Year. JANUARY 2016 KEYNOTES 45
