Drilling a lock

[bluedog225]

I am not a smart man. Let’s get that out of the way. I got this big 700 pound fire safe from next to the dumpster behind the church and got it moved up to my place. Had it tested and it’s gypsum not asbestos. All good.

I saw the little press in lock and I pressed it. I can’t really explain why. I just did.

In the back of my mind, I was somewhat confident that since that was the only drawer installed in the thing I could unlatch the mechanism from one of the other open drawer spaces as you can with other filing cabinets. That is not the case here. As far as I can tell, this lock only locks the one drawer.

So I’m sort of screwed. I’d like to open the drawer. Do I just take a drill and rip the insides out of the lock and hope for the best? Or is there a more subtle technique?

Any ideas appreciated.

 

[930dreamer]

YT how to pick a lock, it's not to hard to do.

 

[dogdog]

Pick it, is that even consider a safe in that picture ? More like a file cabinet…..

Pic looks like it is just a 4 pin cylinder or those commercial core cylinders,. You can buy another one from the internet and replace it

 

[Skyman]

Should be an easy one to pick.

 

[mm08822]

The secret to picking a lock is having the torsion bar. That along with a pick and most can be opened in a minute.

You can buy a training set from Amazon for $10-15. Easier than replacing the drilled cylinder.

 

[paulsomlo]

Should be an easy one to pick.

Yep - my GF had a file cabinet that had been locked for years, no key. I watched a video, made a raking tool out of the metal spine from an old wiper blade, had it open in just a few tries.

 

[The Cobbler]

is there a number on it? it might be a code that a locksmith can cut for you. paging @jeffmoss26

 

[bluedog225]

Thanks all. Yes I should’ve said file cabinet. I doubt it’s a sophisticated lock. I’ll look at the video and check out some other YouTube to see if I can manage it.

 

[PCustoms]

We had someone do the same thing at work.

Lock got drilled because no one knew where the key was, or cared if it locked.

A week later they didn't again. At least this time all it needed was a paperclip to trip the latch.

1/4" drill bit and go to town.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I would hesitate drilling that because I don’t know what the cabinet is insulated with.

 

[PCustoms]

I would hesitate drilling that because I don’t know what the cabinet is insulated with.

Right in the OP:

Had it tested and it’s gypsum not asbestos. All good.

Also drilling the lock core out of the housing goes nowhere near the fire resistant materials.

 

[Jmonnty]

Send me a private message, I'll walk you through drillng it.

 

[Pate]

You can get a key made by code or easily drill it. You drill right where the plug meets the top shell right down the middle. You will feel the bit drop in to the empty chambers and the hear the springs wrap around the bit. Go through 4 chambers and then use a flat blade to turn. If not, drill a bit more and try again. You don’t want to blow through the back of the lock.

 

[walta]

The fastest way is to run a screw into the lock and pull the lock out with a slide hammer.

Walta

 

[egdede]

-- edited to remove sleepy mistake --

 

[paulsomlo]

Send me a private message, I'll walk you through drillng it.

What's the fun in that? Improvise some tools and pick the lock.

 

[dogdog]

Pick can be made from hacksaw blade easily
Ask any one they can send you a photocopy of their pic. Cut and trace.

Tensioner can be made from windshield wiper blade metal support. Make into Z aka z bar. Or a better version make that z bar heat and twist it 90 deg on center. A feather wrench can be made from think spring steel rods. Just google feather touch tension wrench. Ez pz

 

[johnnn]

If there is a code on the lock you should be able to cheaply order a key online from easykeys or a similar web site.

If there is a manufacturer tag and a serial number the should be able to make you a new key unless the previous owner registered.

Is the top of the cabinet removable? If so you might see visible fasteners on the sides or back. Usually you can remove the metal top and drill in correct location and bypass the lock mechanism. Manufacturer should be able to provide instructions.

Lock picking should be do able.

Drilling can be a pain depending on how hard the metal is. I like to start with a small bit and step up in size. Don't drill too deep. A good locksmith should have a replacement lock.

 

[mreisner]

Remember the old acronym kiss, keep it simple stupid. It sounds ridiculous but try turning the thing upside down and it may open, a lot of times the locking mechanism relies on gravity and just a small lift arm.

 

[bluedog225]

Back home. Too hot up there. Another false Fall. I’ll do some lockpicking research.

Here’s a pick of the lock. I’ll see if the manufacture has any answers.

At 700 lbs, turning it over will be a bit of a challenge.

The latch mechanism is a little deal at the bottom that locks into the frame. All the cabinets are completely isolated from the others by the gypsum. And there is maybe 1/2” of overlapping steel front to prevent access to the latch. Though now that I think about it, I might be able to snake a thin wire up there and pull under it. Hmmmm. Assuming it is still only spring loaded when locked.

Thanks all.

edit-I’ll try this.

 

[mreisner]

My bad, I was thinking it was a file cabinet

 

[PCustoms]

My bad, I was thinking it was a file cabinet

It isn't?

 

[Wrench97]

Fire proof file cabinet, seems the drawers lock independently of each other.

 

[Danno1]

.


When this used to happen at work, we would slide an 18 or 24 in steel scale in between the right side of the drawer and the cabinet. It would go under the latching mechanism and we would pry up. Drawer would pop open. & Bob's your uncle!


.

 

[Metal-Marc]

Send me a private message, I'll walk you through drillng it.

Why keep it a secret? Are you a spammer?

 

[Metal-Marc]

https://covertinstruments.com/

 

[Jmonnty]

Why keep it a secret? Are you a spammer?

Yes

 

[bluedog225]

Ordered a lock pick set today. Don’t have the bandwidth to make them. Looks like I may have a shot.

 

[BrandonV]

Ordered a lock pick set today. Don’t have the bandwidth to make them. Looks like I may have a shot.

Yup. Should be able to just rake it open with little skill.

 

[KwikFab]

Ordered a lock pick set today. Don’t have the bandwidth to make them. Looks like I may have a shot.

Got a few from Sparrows as well as Covert Instruments; very handy to have and I've actually had to use my set to open someone's lock that would've been hard to cut without damaging something.

 

[Levaughn]

Reading this thread, I forgot I had this HPC Lock Pick Set. I got it at a Swap Meet some twenty years ago. I never used it because I didn't know how. I was going to give it to my locksmith friend. Watching the video, I can practice on my house doors and my padlocks.

 

[dogdog]

Reading this thread, I forgot I had this HPC Lock Pick Set. I got it at a Swap Meet some twenty years ago. I never used it because I didn't know how. I was going to give it to my locksmith friend. Watching the video, I can practice on my house doors and my padlocks.

The sharp hook or triangle looking ones are not picks, those are suppose to be broken key extractors.

It’s their small set I think.

 

[Pate]

Ordered a lock pick set today. Don’t have the bandwidth to make them. Looks like I may have a shot.

Those are pin tumbler locks and not that easy for a newb.

 

[PCustoms]

Funny, someone pushed in the previously drilled lock again and we needed to get in.

Was thinking of this thread as I Jimmied it open

 

[bluedog225]

It’s an irresistible impulse.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Ordered a lock pick set today. Don’t have the bandwidth to make them. Looks like I may have a shot.

Good! Try raking it at first you may get lucky with a low skill attack.
Watch “lockpickinglawyer” on YouTube, for instruction.

I learned to pick locks when my dad got dementia. Then I bough a dozen of every key so I could just hand him a new key to lose.

 

[bluedog225]

Got it. I had trouble setting each individual pin. Just would not turn. But sort of by accident I raked it open.

Then realized the lock was set into the door with gunk or rust. I had to pull it out with pliers. And the latch mechanism was crusty and jammed. Ended up breaking off the light aluminum lever and turning it, with difficulty, with vice grips.

Anyway, got it open. No need to lock this thing. The latch mechanism is rusty or jammed with gypsum. No way to get inside the drawer door to clean or repair. So I’ll disable it by grinding off or something.

Thanks all.

 

[The Cobbler]

great! thanks for updating

 

[Chaznsc]

Is jimmy hoffa inside? #geraldo

 

[Codyboy]

The secret to picking a lock is having the torsion bar. That along with a pick and most can be opened in a minute.

You can buy a training set from Amazon for $10-15. Easier than replacing the drilled cylinder.

I made a rake from an old scrollsaw blade and a torsion bar from an Allen wrench that comes with some bought furniture.
Watched some u tubes , I think it was the lock picking lawyer. Does that sound right?
There are several.

Anyway, within about 20 seconds I was able to pick (rake) my schlage deadbolt on my house.