What's new

Replace Medeco T Handle Lock

Etowah

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,373
Reaction score
943
Points
113
Got open my Coleman Drawer vaults with T Handle Medeco Locks.

Do not think I damaged the housings.

Now, How difficult is it to replace medeco Cylinders/ Knock out pins on side of T Handle?

Where to obtain cylinders? Same as Medeco Plug Locks or different?
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
If the face is held on by two roll pins, they should be stainless and fairly easy to remove. There's a roll pin punch for that. They might be long set screws - if they are, they're probably going to be rusted in.

You should replace the roll pins to make sure they fit tight and won't work their way out.

They are different from plug locks. Plug lock:



T-handle lock:



There are two lengths of T-handle lock inserts. If yours have roll pin or two long threaded set screw retainers for the cap, the short one will not work.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,373
Reaction score
943
Points
113
If the face is held on by two roll pins, they should be stainless and fairly easy to remove. There's a roll pin punch for that. They might be long set screws - if they are, they're probably going to be rusted in.

You should replace the roll pins to make sure they fit tight and won't work their way out.

They are different from plug locks. Plug lock:



T-handle lock:



There are two lengths of T-handle lock inserts. If yours have roll pin or two long threaded set screw retainers for the cap, the short one will not work.
This may sound stupid but the 2 pins / set screws are tiny. Are they allen heads?
Also, what are the dimensions of the short versus long so I can ask if I am ordering the correct one since KR apparently only shows one.

If they are roll pins, where do I get new ones and the punch.

If they are set screws, any tips to remove them without destroying it.
 

Randy

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
5,861
Reaction score
2,214
Points
113
Earl, STOP, I'll call you and tell you how to do it. When is it a good time to call?
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
Earl Weiss said:
This may sound stupid but the 2 pins / set screws are tiny. Are they allen heads?
They're most likely roll pins. If they were the long set screws, it would be obvious.

Earl Weiss said:
If they are roll pins, where do I get new ones and the punch.
Older auto parts stores should have the punch and might have stainless roll pins - places that sell bearings and machine chain should too.

Earl Weiss said:
Also, what are the dimensions of the short versus long so I can ask if I am ordering the correct one since KR apparently only shows one.
I meant to check while I was at the wash earlier but forgot - I'll look tomorrow. I only have the short ones to measure.
 
Joined
Dec 4, 2007
Messages
651
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
Central Texas
I just had mine changed, my brother in law is a locksmith and medco dealer, i go the parts from him. one new t handle with cylinder and two new cylinders and new keys. The new t handle does not come with cover and roll pins.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,373
Reaction score
943
Points
113
After a closer look, gunk cleaned and used magnifying glass I found they were two allen head screws that go thru each side of the "T" holding a cober on the T which holds and any drill circle with slot cut in it.

The screws came out (Perhaps because I lube the locks and T Handles several times a year with WD 40) and so did the lock per Randy's instruction. New cylinders ordered from KR.

All in all not to bad. Probably 15 minutes each to get the locks to open and another 15 minutes each to remove and replace cylinders and most of the latter is the two one inch long fine thread allen screws that need to be completely unscrewed and screwed back in.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
You might want to replace the long Allen-head screws with stainless.
 

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
6,373
Reaction score
943
Points
113
You might want to replace the long Allen-head screws with stainless.
Only removed one to see how it worked. I'll do the rest when the cores arrive. After 20 years the screw looks like new.
 
Top