Master Locks

Master Lock Products

Master lock Company, a Unit of MasterBrand Industries, inc. is the world’s leading producer of padlocks. More than 1,500 employees are involved in the production of padlocks at an 800,000 sq. ft. facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Master Lock Company was founded in 1921 by a Wilwaukee locksmith, Hary Soref, who introduced the “Master laminated keyed padlock”. A warded padlock, operated by a stamped key, had a body assembled of steel plates. In 1924, Soref received a patent for the lock and began the Master Lock factory. The “Secret Service” Padlock, known today simply as the Master No. 1 padlock, was introduced in 1931 and featured a pin tumbler lock cylinder. Two years later, Master Lock introduced the No.3 padlock. In the mid 1930’s , Master introduced their version of the combination padlock. Over the years, Master has intoduced built-in combination locker locks, rekeyable padlocks, the series 900 padlock, the 2000 Series high security deadbolt combination locks and the pro Series line of commercial, rekeyable padlocks.Today, Master Lock Company produces padlocks, combination padlocks and specialty locks that protect trailers, outboard motors, guns, skis and bicycles.

Master Pro Series Padlocks

The Pro Series Padlocks come with a six-pin rekeyable lock cylinder that uses spool pins to resist picking. They are available with key-retaining or non-key retaining lock cylinder options. These weather-resistant padlocks use a dual ball bearing locking mechanism to secure the shackle legs. The boron alloy shackles are removable and available in a variety of lengths. There are three styles of Pro Series padlocks:laminated steel padlocks with shackle guard, solid steel round body padlocks, and laminated steel padlocks with thermoplastic cover.
The Pro Series padlocks have a variety of lock cylinder optional cylinder options. They include the padlock cylinders in 4,5,or 6 pin configuration to match existing padlocks. The Series 6400 and 6500 accept the following Original Equipment Manufacturer interchangeable cores from Best, Kaba Peaks, KSP, and Lori. The Series 6600 and 6700 accept OEM door hardware cylinders from Assa, Lori #1539 lock, Medeco #20W200, and Schlage Primus. The Lori #1539 lock cylinder can be ordered to match 28 manufacturer’s keyways. Padlocks are supplied without covers or cylinders.

Master Lock Universal Keying System for Master Universal Padlocks

One of Master Lock Company’s latest introductions is the universal keying system for Master Padlocks # 1UP, # 3UP, # 5UP, and entry and deadbolt locks. UP stands for universal padlock. The One Key System is designed to combinate a Master lock to an existing  customer’s key. This eliminates the need to either rekey an entry or deadbolt lock or to special order a # 1, # 3, or # 5 padlock to a specific key code. The # 1UP, # 3UP and # 5UP padlocks are available with the standard and extended shackles. The padlocks are supplied without keys and will operate only after being fit to a cut Master 1K Key. The key must be pinned to Original Equipment Manufacturer’s specifications. Keys whose depths of cuts are different from the original are not recommended.
The Master Lock One key System uses a modified lock cylinder equipped with specially designed shearing pins that replace the standard buttom and top pins. The pins have shear positions horizontally along their length. The tolerances of the lock cylinder and the shearing pins are extremely close, due to the positioning of the shearing. The One Key System lock cylinder plugs are designed to move into the housing approximately 0.125”, shearing these pins into bottom and top pins. Once the pins have been sheared, they cannot be sheared a second time to accomodate a diferent key.
There are bottom plate markings that identify One Key System padlocks. The letters “UP” and the padlock size are stamped into the bottom plate. In addition, the cylinder has a groove in the face of the plug indicating it is a One Key System padlock. To set a UP, or universal padlock to your existing key, simply enter the key completely into the raised plug face of the cylinder, set the padlock shackle facing down between the jaws of your work bench vise, place Major Manufacturing’s MKP-1, or similar tool squarely against the face of the plug with key in the slot, and place one firm blow with your hammer straight down against the tool. This tool will shear the pins in line with the cuts combinated on your existing key.

How to set Master Universal Padlocks without the keying tool

Don’t have the MKP-1 Master Universal Padlock Keying Tool? No problem. I only recommend this if you don’t have the recommended tool, because one of the benefits of using this specialty tool is its ease of use and very quick and efficient operation. It is very important that keys used are cut to specifications. If they are not, this procedure won’t work, and the MKP-1 specialty tool won’t work, either. However, if you don’t have the MKP-1 or similar tool, you can set a UP padlock, or Master Universal Padlock, to your existing key using the following steps:

1. Verify the key is cut to manufacturer’s specifications. If it is not, then cut a key to the manufucturer’s specifications using your code machine or whatever equipment you use to generate keys by code. If the key is not cut to manufacturer’s specifications, ask your customer if they would bring at least one of the other locks being opened by their key, and verify that the key  you cut to specifications will operate that lock. If their key is cut to specs, simply duplicate it properly.
2. Insert the duplicated key, or key cut to specifications, in the padlock, with the padlock shackle down between bench vise jaws. Make sure the key is inserted completely against the key shoulder.
3. Mark the key with a scribe tool at the plug face, remove the key and cut it at the mark. Insert the key again. If there is any key material extending up past the plug, simply file it away to allow for proper placement of your punch, taking care not to cut into the plug face. You may want to read ahead to all steps before cutting the key.
4. Use a punch tool of appropriate size and diameter to punch the plug down into the cylinder housing. The intention is to place one solid blow to the punch that is square against the face of the plug, using only one blow. Verify the face of the plug is now just below the surface of the padlock housing.
5. Remove, or extract the key that remains in the plug with a key extractor, small screwdriver, or needle nose pliers on the remaining portion of key that exists in the groove of the UP padlock plug face. The precision with which you cut the key in step 3 will allow some of the key, including the shoulder, to be accessible by small srewdriver or extractor tools at the ends of the groove in the plug face. Carefully pry the shoulder of the key away from the plug and remove the key.
6. Verify operation of the padlock with the original key from step 1.