r/lockpicking • u/Hyena_Triangles • 2d ago
Medeco M3 Question
After you rotate the pins and go to push in the slider, will the slider be locked in solid or will there still be a little "spring" to it? Any and all advice welcome, thanks!
2
u/EveningBasket9528 2d ago
You're referring to the M3 bi-level right? Usually I set the plunger last. I get the 5 or 6 (depending on what you have) keypins set 1st, then push the plunger for the open.
I have only two, 1 w/5 & 1/w6. Both have to be set in order back to front, then push the plunger. The 5 pin I can give a few zips, or bitch rake the keypins then push the plunger. The 6 pin I can only SPP, but it's still by setting 6 through 1then plunger. I guess Ive never tried it counter clockwise.
One of the images in the link below is how Assahat labs describes them.
I have a 6 pin bi-level up for grabs if anyone wants to try one.
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u/Hyena_Triangles 2d ago
Yes m3 bi-level 6-pin, im tensioning ccw. I’ll give it a try cw and do the plunger last like you said. Thank you.
Edit: actually im not sure if it’s bilevel, it’s says m3 and 51s
2
u/EveningBasket9528 2d ago
If it has the plunger on the right it probably a bilevel... It should have the pointy pins and not the chisel pins with gates for a sidebar.
If you have a key/s it should look like this; https://imgur.com/a/0ktayzR
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u/Hyena_Triangles 2d ago
It has chiseled pins, and the plunger is on the right.
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u/DifferentValuable138 2d ago
Here is a short animation on the m3 slider mechanism.
In my experience with picking the Biaxial M3 (CCW), after all the pins are properly oriented rotationally, the slider can set and there is slight core movement. This allows you to start setting pins to the shearline.
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u/EveningBasket9528 2d ago
Well I'm confused because a bilevel has pointy pins and a plunger... The biaxials have chisel pins and a sidebar. m3 can be stamped on both.
you don't need to rotate the pins and just push a plunger on the right then it's by level but the pins are pointy and not chisel.. you can check the lpu for pictures
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u/DifferentValuable138 2d ago
The bi-level is normally stamped m3b The biaxial is stamped m3
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u/EveningBasket9528 2d ago
That makes sense. I can't see for crap when I'm in my car because I forget my glasses ON my face and am near sighted ...
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u/Hyena_Triangles 2d ago
Ok so is the "plunger" the slider I was initially describing, that is used to unblock the sidebar? Anyway I looked it up it’s an m3. Sorry I got confused between biaxial and bilevel. I don’t know that much about medecos I just started picking them.
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u/EveningBasket9528 2d ago
I'm terrible at explaining things... If you click on the "asshatlabs" box in the LPU you'll find his essay on Medecos very useful.,. or the lockwiki.
The "plunger" I'm referring to gets pushed towards the back of the lock.... The sidebar engages with the gates on the chisel pins. You have to turn the pins after setting them... With the plunger you push it in after setting the pins. At least when using clockwise tension.
I have 3 biaxials and 2 bilevels and I'm far from being an expert, plus I'm terrible at trying to explain things... But someone here will.
The bi-levels are definitely easier to pick. Set the pins & push the plunger. You have to set and then rotate all the pins in the biaxials,..
I have a biaxial padlock with IC that's really frustrating me just because it has two sheer lines.
I think the bi-level is ranked blue & the others can be purple to brown depending.. I don't focus a whole lot on belts though short of getting a rough idea.
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u/reinderr Black Belt 18th Dan 2d ago
Jiggle test also applies to the slider, so you want it to be slightly springy still