Medeco t-handle

[bert79]

So I know this is a really touchy topic and I fully understand why. So I’ll ask that any responses be by private measage or phone call/text. I am wondering what the set screws are in a medeco t- handle lock for my vaults. They look super tiny and i need to replace the cylinder as it is giving me trouble. It appears that there are two. The screws themselves are in the top cross bar of the “t” part and i think i need to remove them in order to get the cylinder out. Any help is appreciated. I’d like to avoid a locksmith if i can. I can give references or my facebook page if needed. I’ve been on the site for a while now and have contributed where I can but i understand the sensitivity of this question. Thank you. 616-644-0191

 

[MEP001]

I don't recall if they're #6-32 or #8-32 thread, pretty sure #8. Hopefully they aren't rusted, but the T-handle is stainless so with enough soaking in penetrating oil they should come out, as long as the hex end isn't rusted away. I recently picked up some CRC "Knock 'er Loose" which works far better than anything else I've used.

 

[bert79]

Thank you so much MEP!! I really appreciate the info!

 

[Earl Weiss]

Those T handles have a little round cover with a slot. I think it is supposed to deter drilling. I agree with MEP. Some good lube sitting for a while should loosen them Then the outer cover comes off, then the little round plate. I have done this . The plug portion will than come out when the key is inserted and turned to the unlock position. You can then replace with differently keyed plug..

 

[JGinther]

Some of those are roll pins also. Might be depending on age of lock.

 

[MEP001]

I meant to mention that, I'm not sure if it's the age or the style. The ones I've seen with roll pins have the lock housing taller than the face of the vault, the ones with set screws have the T-handle flush when locked.

 

[bert79]

Thank you all for your responses. Finally figured out that they are roll pins.. I took the cylinder to the local Medeco dealer and he’s going to rebuild the cylinder and hopefully save us some money as opposed to buying new. I think these vaults are probably original to the wash which was built in the early 80’s

 

[Earl Weiss]

The entire insert is $30.00. How much could he save you by re buildig.? https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-13561-lock-for-t-handle-with-1-key-by-medeco.aspx

 

[bert79]

Earl that is a mighty good point. I guess i will find out today if I pay more to have the old one fixed. I suspect it may be. The other side of that is I can keep one key for both vaults. Thanks

 

[MEP001]

Locksmiths are expensive, especially when they're called out to a site. The local ones charge a minimum of $200 to drill out a Medeco plug lock which I was able to remove with a secret technique in about five minutes. I would have just replaced both locks with a set keyed alike. I won't be surprised if you end up paying more than what it would have cost for locks and a roll pin punch set. There's also a chance the locksmith is a crook and will surreptitiously make a key to fit your lock to come back and rob you. I have seen that happen.

 

[JGinther]

Mep, you mind deleting a little bit of that post? Lol.

 

[Randy]

Earl that is a mighty good point. I guess i will find out today if I pay more to have the old one fixed. I suspect it may be. The other side of that is I can keep one key for both vaults. Thanks

I think your going to end up paying a lot more than you think or want to by going to a Locksmith. Most of them are legal thieves. When we order Medeco locks from KR we order extra keys. The last time, years ago I went to a locksmith to get a Medeco key made he was almost twice the cost of a new lock from KR. If you buy a new Medeco lock from KR keep the key number safe, that key number might come in handy someday if you need a key made and you have the key number.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Earl that is a mighty good point. I guess i will find out today if I pay more to have the old one fixed. I suspect it may be. The other side of that is I can keep one key for both vaults. Thanks

You could order them keyed alike . $60.00 plus shipping and Tax. Doubt the locksmith would charge less . Don't know how hard it is to get roll pins out and replace. Mine had allen screws. Thought they were roller pins and then looked at the other end1. Glad I did that before trying to pound them out. I used Randy's method. Might have taken me 10 minutes each but I was being extra careful not to damage the housing. Of course withe the key it will come right out. Biggest time suck on the good one I guess would be the roller pin extraction.

 

[MEP001]

With a roll pin punch and a vise it's easy. I prefer to replace roll pins - you can get them in stainless. I've taken one apart where they were so rusted the cover was about to just fall off. You will likely damage them getting them out, the condition of the pin dictates how much.

 

[Earl Weiss]

With a roll pin punch and a vise it's easy. .

Well I am sure he has those handy!

 

[MEP001]

You'd be surprised how many car washes around here have a workbench with a vise.

 

[OurTown]

You'd be surprised how many car washes around here have a workbench with a vise.

We have those and they sure are nice.

 

[Earl Weiss]

You'd be surprised how many car washes around here have a workbench with a vise.

I was thinking more along the lines of a "Roll Pin Vise" Thought it was some special vise like the press used to push the pin out of a watch band. Now I understand it's just a vise.

 

[bert79]

Thank you all for your posts. I did bring it to a locksmith who specializes in medeco locks. It is a great locksmith. Very experienced guys. He charged me $50 to fix the cylinder. He said he replaced springs and various parts to get the old cylinder working again. Next time I might just go with kleen-rite though. We just installed a workbench with a vise! Should come in handy. Thanks again for your responses.