How to master key a lock

Masterkeying a Schlage lock

[Danny-fshk]

I’m not even two minutes into the video and this guy is an excellent teacher.

[versaron]

I'm a property manager and this is going to be a great extra source of income and savings! Thank you so much for the info. I'm getting all my tools this week to be able to re-key, master key and duplicate keys.

[Ray]

Haven't needed to do this since 2015, and now I do. Thank you for the refresher!

[SneekyFauker]

Thank you! I put all my marbles in the automotive field. I'm not facing a simple master key job and you helped me greatly.

[Lockman]

Turrauk, thank you very much! Masterkeying is nothing to be scared of. All it is is simple math, and it will work every time! Thanks for the comment, and thanks again for watching!

[sbunny]

The biggest problem here is that you're using random keys. That's why you ended up with a #1 master pin. You said don't use a #1 master pin if you can avoid it. You can ALWAYS avoid it by cutting your own keys instead of picking random keys out of a box. ANSI A156.28 specifically says random key bittings must never be used in a master key system. Using random keys is unprofessional, uses excessive master pins (which leads to excessive incidental keys), and it has an unacceptable risk of key interchange.

Eight rules for master keying
#1 Before you start a new master key system, make sure the customer understands that master keying increases convenience but decreases security. #2 Keep all your master keying records up-to-date. #3 If the customer already has a master key system and they want you to take over the maintenance, you must have the paperwork. #4 You, the locksmith, choose the bitting of the master key. Don't let the customer choose the key. #5 Before you design a master key system, you have to find out what the customer needs. #6 Choose a method which uses as few master pins as possible, while still meeting the customer's needs. #7 Once you have decided how many constants each change key will have, make sure that all the change keys have the same number of constants. #8 Use two-step progression for locks that have ten depths (like Schlage).

If you follow these rules, you'll never need a #1 Schlage master pin. Using random keys violates rules 2 and 4 and 6 and 7 and 8. That's a recipe for disaster.

[Lockman]

Versaron. Thanks for the question. If its a residential lock, generally it will be either a Kwikset (KW1), or a Schlage (SC1) keyblank. These are the 2 most common blanks for residential. If it is commercial, there's really no way to tell without having the lock to look at. It could be almost anything. There's too many different key ways in commercial. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[Lockman]

Thanks for the question. Generally I would recommend not using a #1 master pin, however I understand this is not always possible. So here's what I do. A schlage master #2 is .30, #3 is .45, etc... So for a schlage master #1, I just use a .15 It will work. Hope this helps! Thanks for watching! Even though on the pinning chart is says there is not an option for

[Lockman]

Dacari. Thanks for the question. In short. Yes. I mean technically you could re arrange the pins, and cut a key off of that, but to DIY at home, relying all with new pins would be much more time efficient, an practical. Thanks for the sub, and always, thanks for watching!

[RichardsWorld]

This made it simple to learn the basics of master pinning. Thanks!

[MrKelly-lllx]

Thank you! Made it easy and God bless 🙏🏾

[Lockman]

Sir, thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching!

[edsmileytube]

Excellent video!!! Thanks for taking the time to make it

[shawnjez]

Really clear and fast explanation. Thanks.

[josuesanchez]

Great video! Simple math and you explained it so nicely that even a dummy like me could understand it!

[light]

Thank you for the refresher, it helps a lot.

[wiley]

My head could not process the theory! Thanks!

[turrauko]

Thank you! I'm learning "locksmithery" and the locksmith wasn't able to explain mastering half as well!

[choadstool]

This video is amazing. Thank you so much

[Lockman]

The fire. Check out my other video on removing/ replacing top pins. This should help. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for watching!