The Securefast lock has come in many colours and with many names over the years, and that is why identifying the lock via the keyhole, by colour, isn’t possible. Despite this, identifying the locks it easy.
Firstly, ID the lock type when looking through the keyway – you can ID it as a Securefast lock by the hard plate shape and type.

You will notice on both lock generations that the hard plate doesn’t go all the way to the bottom of the keyway; also the keyway cut out in the hard plate is offset to the right, so it looks ill fitting – only the Securefast locks look like this.

Now we have identified the keyway by its hard plate shape, we need to determine if it is a generation 1 or 2, as both decode differently. Using a small flat screwdriver turn the curtain in the opening direction; if the curtain turns a full 360 degrees then it’s a generation 1 lock, if the curtain only turns to the 11 o clock position and then stops it’s a generation 2 lock.

Picking and Decoding the Newer 2^nd Generation Securefast Lock

Once identified as a generation 2 lock, we can begin to decode it.

The lock is left side shooting – with a bolt shooting to the left hand side. We must select the left hand side reader keys; the reader keys are numbered 1 to 5 with number 1 being the wafer nearest the case (so nearest to you) and number 5 is nearest the bolt.

As this is the newer lock we must decode it in the locking direction. Do this by inserting the keys into the lock one at a time and turning anti-clockwise in the locking direction until the key stops – we must select the new locks reading chart for the decode.

(see full instructions in edition 3 of CKL)

Once decoded we have the 5 cuts in position 1 from the cap, to position 5 at the bolt, in this example we have a key of 14542.

Now we know what the key cuts are we must build up the makeup key to open the lock. To do this we must select our reader key and pin set; pin 1 for key cut 1 is the highest pin and we don’t need a pin for key cut 5 as this is the height that the reader key is pre-set to.

You must apply grease to the reader key to help ensure none of the pins fall out. Then build the decoded key from bow to tip – 14542.

We then insert the reader key and gently turn it in the opening direction – turning hard will bend pins so just turn gently to open the lock.

If you wanted to cut a new key from the tool, you would do so by building its mirror image on the other side of the makeup key. So the full key would read from bow to tip – 145424541. A new key could be cut from the full makeup key, or you could swap levers around and build a new makeup key, and cut a key to rekey the lock.

Decoding and Opening the Older 1^st Generation Securefast Lock

We know it is a 1^st generation lock as the curtain turns a full 360 degrees – so we use the same reader keys but this time we select the old Securefast reading chart to read our cuts. In this lock we take our readings in a clockwise unlocking direction; it is also a left shoot lock – so the left reader keys are chosen.

Having selected the left reader keys we insert the reader key into the lock and turn in the clockwise unlocking direction.

In this example we have a decoded key from bow to tip of 11234 – we then build our key from the bow end.

Insert a number 1 pin into the end hole, at the tip end, to throw the bolt in the old lock as well. Or, build the entire key as the key throws the bolt in the old lock and not the curtain – as with the generation 2 lock.

We now insert the key and gently turn to open – as hard turning can damage the pins.

The lock is now open; we can make up the entire key from bow to tip: 11234321, and cut a new key and we can move around the levers to rekey the lock and cut the new key. But remember, if you are rekeying the old lock it is the key that throws the bolt, so the key must always have at least 1 x number 1 cut in positions 1, 2, 8 and 9 in order to throw the bolt.

This is a very simple lock to read and decode but care must be taken not to turn too hard when opening it, as this will just bend the pins – gentle use will give prolonged pin life.  And always use grease when building the makeup key.