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Medeco Lock Rekeying: The Marietta Owner’s Guide
Medeco lock rekeying in Marietta typically runs $45-$85 per cylinder for residential deadbolts and knobs, with high-security rim cylinders running $75-$125, quoted in writing before we dispatch. We stock Medeco Biaxial, Medeco3, and X4 pin kits on every service van and complete most rekeys same day. Most Marietta owners discover they need a rekey after a move, a lost key, or when their Medeco key starts catching at 45 degrees in the cylinder - the classic sign of worn sidebar slots or a master-keyed pin stack that’s begun to drift.
Which Medeco Models This Applies To
Medeco has produced four distinct cylinder architectures since the 1970s, and they do not interchange. The original Medeco Biaxial (patent expired 2005) uses angled key cuts and a sidebar; you’ll find these in Marietta homes built 1990-2010, often with a stamped “B” on the cylinder face. Medeco3 (M3), introduced 2005, adds a slider element and a different keyway profile - look for the “M3” stamp near the keyhole. The Medeco X4, launched 2011, is a pin-tumbler hybrid that accepts standard key blanks but retains Medeco’s restricted keyway; these appear in newer Marietta subdivisions near Indian Hills and East Cobb. Medeco Logic, the electronic CLIQ variant, cannot be rekeyed in the field - it requires factory reprogramming.
We carry OEM Medeco pinning kits for Biaxial, M3, and X4. Aftermarket pinning kits exist for Biaxial and early M3, but we do not use them. The tolerances on Medeco’s sidebar geometry (0.005-inch gate variance) are tight enough that third-party pins produce inconsistent lift, especially in Marietta’s humidity, where brass expansion is a real factor from June through September. We verify the series by keyway gauge and cylinder stamp before we quote, not after we arrive.
Signs Your Medeco Lock Rekeying Is Failing
- Key rotates but bolt does not retract. The tailpiece actuator has slipped or the cam interface is worn. In Medeco deadbolts, this is often a #5 tailpiece in a 1-3/8-inch door that has settled and torqued the mechanism.
- Key catches at 45 degrees and requires jiggling. The sidebar is not dropping into the plug grooves cleanly. This happens when pin chambers accumulate grit from Marietta’s pollen-heavy springs, or when a master pin has worked above the shear line.
- Key works in one direction only. The plug has developed a longitudinal twist, or a bottom pin has chipped on its angled face. Medeco’s chisel-point pins are hardened but not immune to repeated torque in the wrong direction.
- Key blank will not insert fully. The keyway has been damaged by an incorrect blank, or the sidebar slot has peened closed from impact. We see this after non-Medeco blanks have been forced by other locksmiths.
- Lock was master-keyed and security feels compromised. The master pin stack creates multiple shear lines; a rekey to a single-key system removes the master pins entirely and restores the lock to its original security level.
Replacement Cost & What’s Included
| Service | Typical Range | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Medeco residential deadbolt rekey (Biaxial/M3/X4) | $45-$85 | Disassembly, pin replacement, 2 new keys, function test |
| Medeco rim cylinder rekey (high-security) | $75-$125 | Disassembly, sidebar inspection, pin replacement, 2 new keys |
| Additional keys (beyond 2) | $8-$15 each | Cut to factory spec on Medeco key blanks |
| Master key system rekey | $65-$110 per cylinder | Hierarchy design, pinning to new master, sub-master, and change keys |
The range depends on three factors: cylinder series (X4 is faster than Biaxial), whether the cylinder is mounted in a deadbolt or a mortise housing (mortise requires more disassembly time), and whether we find damage that requires a sidebar or spring replacement. We quote the full price on the phone after you describe the lock or text a photo. Haven Standard Clause 1: the price on the phone is the price on the invoice. No call-out surcharge, no trip fee added at the door. Every rekey carries our 365-Day Done Right Promise.
DIY or Call Us?
A Medeco cylinder can be removed from a deadbolt with a Phillips screwdriver and a working key. If you have both, you can bring the cylinder to our shop and we’ll rekey it while you wait, typically 20 minutes. What you should not attempt: disassembling the cylinder itself. The sidebar is under spring pressure, the bottom pins are angled and will roll off a table never to be found, and the chamber spacing is not forgiving. We have reassembled cylinders for Marietta homeowners who tried YouTube tutorials and ended up with a bag of parts. The name on the invoice is the same name on the van. That’s the whole argument.
If the cylinder is stuck in the lock, if you do not have a working key, or if the lock is on a commercial door with a mortise mechanism, call us. We carry the pinning kits, the sidebar gauges, and the key blanks that aren’t sold at hardware stores. Daniel Novak and our technicians are background-checked and uniformed; every visit ends with a documented photo record left with you.
FAQs
How long does a Medeco rekey take?
A single residential cylinder takes 25-40 minutes on site, including removal, rekeying, reinstallation, and function testing. Multiple cylinders or a master key system add time proportionally. Call (762) 252-5919 to schedule - we’ll quote the total duration with the price.
Can a Medeco lock be repaired instead of rekeyed?
If the cylinder turns smoothly and the only issue is key control, rekeying is the correct service. If the sidebar is cracked, the plug is scored, or the cam is worn, we replace the damaged component and rekey to your new key. We diagnose this before quoting, not after starting work.
How long will the rekeyed lock last?
A properly rekeyed Medeco cylinder with OEM pins should match the original lifespan, typically 15-20 years in residential use. Marietta’s humidity accelerates brass oxidation slightly; we apply a dry lubricant during reassembly that extends smooth operation. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers the workmanship regardless.
Do you stock Medeco parts on the truck?
Yes. Every Novak van carries Medeco Biaxial, M3, and X4 pinning kits, sidebar springs, cams, and tailpieces. We also stock Schlage and Kwikset hardware for mixed installations. If your Medeco cylinder is damaged beyond field repair, we can source a replacement same-day from our distributor in metro Atlanta.
Written by Daniel Novak, Owner & Lead Technician, Novak Lock & Security Marietta at Novak Lock & Security Marietta, serving Marietta and nearby areas.