Throwing in the towel…how do you replace a snap on toolbox lock cylinder?

[agdodge4x4]

I’ve watched all the videos, and most all of them have a round cylinder type of key. This is a KRL 1001 box. It’s huge. Even the locks themselves are huge. I don’t know how else to describe it, but the locks themselves are 1 inch across.

It has two locks on it, but one cylinder has been removed on the left one. On the right one I have the cylinder and the key. There is a ring of some sort on the outside of these locks, but it purely spins and doesn’t seem to have any mechanical function, other than aesthetics. I don’t want to bend the key, so I’m going to reach out here and see if anybody can explain how to pull the cylinders out. Photo attached.

I’m pretty mechanically proficient, and clearly the lock has a procedure for removing it as the left one is obviously already gone. But I sure as hell can’t figure it out. I’ve studied the one that’s missing on the left and still can’t figure out how to get the one on the right out.

 

[The Cobbler]

on the back side of the lock cylinder there is a nut or a spring clip that holds the outer part of the lock assembly in the box

 

[rsanter]

Pull the top one or two drawers out and look at the back.
the older generation has a nut holding the cylinder on

 

[agdodge4x4]

But how do you get the cylinder out of the outer body? Like the one picture where it’s missing. How did they take that out without removing the whole thing? I see it a lot on snap on boxes.

 

[The Cobbler]

there's a center screw in the back side that holds the cylinder or "core" in to the lock housing with the cam . if that screw has been removed or loosened & fell out, the lock cylinder or core comes out .
look at pictures of " cam locks"

 

[agdodge4x4]

Interesting. The back rod and lock and screw are intact. This lock has a cylinder that can be removed without removal of the back.

Also a pic where you can see the insides. The cylinder can be removed somehow.

 

[Snaparxon]

Mine comes out with the key some times in the unlock position and don't even know it till I see the cylinder laying on the floor. Put the cylinder on the key and stick the cylinder in the body and wiggle it till it goes in the last 1/16" till its flush, turn to lock position and remove the key. If it doesn't go in turn the cylinder 180 degrees and try again. Seem to remember my old Snap on guy said they were made to do that.
Unlock is when the slot is 12 and 6 o'clock position, lock is 3 and 9 o'clock.

There is a little tab on the back side of the cylinder that moves in when the key is inserted and sticks out when the key is removed.

When I want to remove the cylinder I can't, only when I don't want to.

 

[The Cobbler]

The cylinder can be removed somehow.

so your lock is slightly different than what I explained, but the spring clip shown in pic 2 pulls off & then the lock body comes off

 

[Snaparxon]

so your lock is slightly different than what I explained, but the spring clip shown in pic 2 pulls off & then the lock body comes off

The body of the lock can be removed by pulling the spring clip, I thought the OP was asking how to remove the cylinder not the body?

 

[J.A.F.E.]

On these type cylinders there is usually a special key that allows the cylinder to turn an additional 1/4 turn or so and in that position the core can be removed. If you can pick the lock the extra step is the wafer furthest in.

Probably easiest is to just replace both locks the cores are not usually available separately and you can get the replacements keyed alike.

 

[The Cobbler]

but he's missing one cylinder, I thought he was wanting to replace the entire lock

 

[Snaparxon]

On these type cylinders there is usually a special key that allows the cylinder to turn an additional 1/4 turn or so and in that position the core can be removed. If you can pick the lock the extra step is the wafer furthest in.

Probably easiest is to just replace both locks the cores are not usually available separately and you can get the replacements keyed alike.

I was not aware there was a special key. When my dealer installed my two locks he just pulled out the old cores and installed 2 new ones, and I swear he used the same key I have been using. I thought there was a "slot" that allowed the cylinder to be removed when lined up?

 

[Snaparxon]

I have the same box, I made it so one lock unlocks the whole box, been like that for 20+ years. I think I removed the top drawer and maybe a few more so I could work on it. Then you can see how the locking mechanism works and I don't recall exactly how I did it but you connect the two locking mechanism linkages together.

 

[finn]

Call the truck guy. You paid for service up front, so use it.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I was not aware there was a special key. When my dealer installed my two locks he just pulled out the old cylinders and installed 2 new ones, and I swear he used the same key I have been using. I thought there was a "slot" that allowed the cylinder to be removed when lined up.?

The key is just used to remove the center core from the cylinder. It's not needed to replace the cylinders usually just if you want to rekey the core. That's probably how the missing core became missing.

 

[Snaparxon]

I chose the wrong word I guess cause the core's were replaced on my box by a dealer, I don't recall him using a special key, maybe he did. Both of my locks have come out in the process of unlocking, I assume that I am pulling the key out before I have fully unlocked the core and it slides out of the body. I will try topay more attention next time

 

[agdodge4x4]

My wording is wrong. I want to know how to remove the core and I want to know if I can get a new core for the one that is missing. LDV that supplies these parts said I have to have a master key to remove the core. That makes no sense to me as obviously one was removed but since my key does not allow removal of the functioning Lock with core mate that’s true. Based on the responses and the mention of another key, this may be the deal.

I can of course replace both and key alike and that’s fine but i was still curious.

Appreciate all of the replies!

 

[Snaparxon]

If there is a "master key", then is locking your tools really secure. What happens when good dealers go bad?
I saw a youtube video year ago about how easy it was to unlock a Snap on tool box with a plate of steel.

 

[rust in the eye]

I have some experience with this type of lock cylinder. Typically you'll need a "change key" to remove the cylinder. Those will have an extra position to engage an additional wafer which when retracted allows the cylinder to be removed, sometimes only if in the unlocked position to begin with. Some manufacturers are reluctant to provide these keys.
Snap-On is going to be your best resource here. On an older, perhaps now unsupported box you mind it makes more $$ sense to exchange the entire lock.

 

[merkyworks]

A user on here, @Joe'sToolboxExchange, has a bussiness flipping toolboxes, he might have some insight on how to do this. maybe send him a message.

Also not sure if this is the same lock cylinder you have in your box but he has a vid that explains how to drill out and replace a snap on box lock setup.

 

[agdodge4x4]

I have some experience with this type of lock cylinder. Typically you'll need a "change key" to remove the cylinder. Those will have an extra position to engage an additional wafer which when retracted allows the cylinder to be removed, sometimes only if in the unlocked position to begin with. Some manufacturers are reluctant to provide these keys.
Snap-On is going to be your best resource here. On an older, perhaps now unsupported box you mind it makes more $$ sense to exchange the entire lock.

Bingo. I think you are 100% right, maybe MASTER KEY wasn't the right word, but LDV who supports these locks and branded keys called it a master key, but CHANGE KEY makes a lot of sense. Either way, there is an extra key required to take it out. I'll just replace both with two new locks keyed the same from them and keep the old KA lock and key as a spare in case I find another box somewhere for some reason.

 

[dscheidt]

Bingo. I think you are 100% right, maybe MASTER KEY wasn't the right word, but LDV who supports these locks and branded keys called it a master key, but CHANGE KEY makes a lot of sense. Either way, there is an extra key required to take it out. I'll just replace both with two new locks keyed the same from them and keep the old KA lock and key as a spare in case I find another box somewhere for some reason.

A change key is one that opens a single lock in a master keyed system, while a master key opens all of them (or some subset, in big complicated systems, like at a university with tens of thousands of locks). A key that removes a core from an interchangeable core system is usually called a control key. Depending on the details of the lock, the control key either opens a different sheer line, or engages a different locking mechanism to allow it to come out. Some cheap wafer locks have a single wafer in the back that holds the cylinder in place; it's not normally engaged by the change key, but can be manipulated with a pick, and the cylinder removed without picking the rest of the wafers. There are probably keys that work just the control wafer, and it makes some sense to call it a master key, because if you can remove the cylinder, you can open the mechanism.

 

[agdodge4x4]

Makes Sense

 

[The Cobbler]

it's a good system for snap on, that way a rep can change keys to boxes as required to key alike etc.

 

[Joe'sToolboxExchange]

A user on here, @Joe'sToolboxExchange, has a bussiness flipping toolboxes, he might have some insight on how to do this. maybe send him a message.

Also not sure if this is the same lock cylinder you have in your box but he has a vid that explains how to drill out and replace a snap on box lock setup.

Hey that's my face! But no, his lock is not the Same as the one in my video. That's an old box. Well before the boxes we generally have here. Different hole size and everything. I have had that box here before, but it had the keys, and I never messed with the lock.

 

[Hakeem]

If there is a "master key", then is locking your tools really secure. What happens when good dealers go bad?
I saw a youtube video year ago about how easy it was to unlock a Snap on tool box with a plate of steel.

I’ve heard of several examples of dealers coming into work and opening some guys box to repossess unpaid tools. Your tool box isnt a safe, the locks are just to keep honest people honest.

 

[The Cobbler]

there is a "master key", then is locking your tools really secure. What happens when good dealers go bad?
I saw a youtube video year ago about how easy it was to unlock a Snap on tool box with a plate of steel.

no tool box lock is secure. it only keep honest people out. someone wants in, a cam lock's not stopping them , it won't hardly slow them down

 

[rust in the eye]

I’ve heard of several examples of dealers coming into work and opening some guys box to repossess unpaid tools. Your tool box isnt a safe, the locks are just to keep honest people honest.

I don't doubt this but it is illegal without a court order. Snappy could find himself in the klink for this.

 

[mreisner]

My dealer is going to be at my shop tomorrow also he has the truck following him with a bunch of toolboxes on . Between the two of them I will try and get an answer tomorrow.

 

[Snaparxon]

Here are my locks removed with out a master key. You can see the little knub on the side. The slot for the knub is at the 3 o'clock position in the last pic.

 

[Hakeem]

I don't doubt this but it is illegal without a court order. Snappy could find himself in the klink for this.

I’m no expert but aren’t toolboxes repossessed in the event of non-payment?

Is the issue here the act of the unauthorized entry into the tool box? Or are the toolbox repos also generally illegal?

 

[rust in the eye]

Not legally without due process. Unless the Snappy loan agreement has some clause signing your rights away(is this possible?)a lienholder cannot legally just grab secured item(s) without oversight from the courts.
I've had to seize a deadbeat's assets in the past. It required a judgement and then a court order "execution" for me to seize funds from their bank account.
Could I have gone to their workplace or home and taken something of value to satisfy the debt? Only if they were dumb enough to let me get away with it.
Don't take it from me, ask a lawyer.

 

[RTM]

Here are my locks removed with out a master key. You can see the little knub on the side. The slot for the knub is at the 3 o'clock position in the last pic.

So noon is closed, 6 is open, and 3 is remove the core?

 

[dscheidt]

Not legally without due process. Unless the Snappy loan agreement has some clause signing your rights away(is this possible?)a lienholder cannot legally just grab secured item(s) without oversight from the courts.
I've had to seize a deadbeat's assets in the past. It required a judgement and then a court order "execution" for me to seize funds from their bank account.
Could I have gone to their workplace or home and taken something of value to satisfy the debt? Only if they were dumb enough to let me get away with it.
Don't take it from me, ask a lawyer.

There are a lot of people who think "he owes me money, I'm going to take it from him". They often get away with it, so they keep doing it. They're often surprised when someone takes issue with it. I've got adult beverage stories about a few cases...

 

[Snaparxon]

So noon is closed, 6 is open, and 3 is remove the core?

When facing the lock, the lock numbers are on the right side of the slot in the unlock position.
Locked position, slot horizontal/numbers at 6
Unlock position, slot vertical/numbers at 3
Only requires a 1/4 turn to lock/unlock

Key in the cylinder in unlock position, I just slightly wiggle the lock and use the key to pull the core out, Takes a little practice but when you get the feel of it it you will see the core move outward slightly and then a a litlle more finesse and it pops out. My locks are also 23 years old so most likely worn out.