Came home yesterday from a week out of town and went to the garage to catch up on some projects. Found the cabinet lock on the (locked) tool chest quite stubborn (wouldn't turn). After several attempts, the key split in the lock. I was able to retrieve the broken portion of the key but now what do I do to get the chest open?! Advice anyone?
Take the broken key, along with number off of the lock, if one there, to local locksmith, they should be able to cut a new one. Might take a trip or two, to get it right.
Hello, Every city in the world has a locksmith that is skillful enough to stick his “opening” tools to open that lock. Most cabinet locks and tool box locks can be jiggled open with a couple of large paper clips opened up to create a “longish” stick to get inside and lift the pins up and over. In our local neighborhood, we have a locksmith that has been around for over 20+ years and knows his stuff. He is an expert on all thing "locking" and "unlocking." Several of the So Cal OC community know of the shop's skills and the ability to get things installed correctly, make adjustments or "pick a lock," legally. File cabinet locks and metal tool case locks are pretty easy to “pick.” Stick two paper clips inside and you are trying to lift and move the pins up or down. The key moves the pins up and allows the turning of the key in the lock. Two paper clips stuck inside can do almost the same thing, but without using a key. Once inside the lock, the two paper clips move to raise the pins and now can turn the two clips sideways as if your inserted key turns. Thus, lifting the pins and opening the lock. Jnaki No, I am not a robber, but trying it on an accidental pushed in lock of my steel cabinet file in the garage, I worked on it for about 25 minutes and I did not have to call a locksmith. A certified locksmith can do it in about 5 minutes. A simple two paper clip sticks + twisting to make the lock open. It really is simple. But, take your time. Don’t get frustrated or just call the local expert locksmith to come out to your house. From experience, those Master locks/Schlage locks and dual side key door locks are a little harder to complete and take more time. Note: If you can take the tool chest to the locksmith, you will save a service call fee. But, be ready to certify that the tool chest is yours. They may think it is stolen. But, if they come to your house, they will see it on your bench along with your other car stuff. But, a bill or receipt is always good. Any drilling destroys the lock and becomes useless. So, be warned.
Fiddled with the paper clips for 45 minutes without success... then resorted to the drill. She's open now! Thanks for the advice guys!
I bought a new Harbor Freight toolbox a couple years ago, and found that the latch mechanism tended to flop down and lock. Of course I didn't find it out till it locked on its own with my keys inside. I always keep extra keys in a key rack separate from the keys I use. I had not separated them yet and put the extras in the key rack, because I was trying to organize the tool holders in the best manner and opening and closing the drawers to change them around. I was right there at the tool box working and closed a drawer..........and it locked. Getting new keys from HF proved to be useless. Got some and they didn't work. Drilled the lock and bought a new one. Then modified the linkage 180 degrees so it tended to flop open instead of shut. I like to just take the guts out of the locks so any key can open it, as I'm not worried about anyone stealing from it. Then I can lock it if I should move it somewhere and if the keys get lost.........no problem. Wouldn't do that if I was working in a professional shop, but if someone breaks in I expect them to steal the whole box.
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