Help! Lista box locked itself up.

[TJH in OKC]

I have a large Lista toolbox that I use for parts, hardware, and nuts & bolts. The bottom drawer was sticking so I emptied it, lubed it up, ran it in and out a few times, and then the last cycle it LOCKED ALL THE DRAWERS. I know that somehow the main locking got engaged to allow this, but I don't have a key for the lock. There is not a number on the lock so I can't order a key. Is there anyone out there who knows the secret method of unlocking and then disabling the locking system? I don't want to cut a hole in the back of such a fine box but if I have to, I will. The dimensions are 47" tall, 28 1/2" deep, 47 1/2" tall. It has one 3 3/4" top drawer, then five 4 3/4" drawers, and a single 7" bottom drawer. Help!

 

[SVE Performance]

Drill the lock out .

 

[stimpy]

drill out the lock ,a new cylinder will cost about 25-30 bucks w/a key

 

[LXCam]

All stop no drilling needed and pm on the way. I don't think explaining this on an open forum is prudent.

 

[TJH in OKC]

Thanks for the replies guys. Cam I will try your more passive methods when I get home.

Tom

 

[LXCam]

I took some pictures that explain it much better. Don't hesitate to text or call and I'll send them over.

 

[Hephaestus29]

Go to youtube and search "picking a lock" or "how to pick a lock"
There's one guy that shows how to do it
with paper clips.

 

[Richard Cranium]

pick the lock.

 

[metalmagpie]

In general if you absolutely have to have a lock picked you can call a locksmith and they'll send someone out to do it.

 

[mikegt4]

I use to "unlock" Lista and similar cabinets at work at least once a month. Usually they "lock" themselves when someone slams 2 drawers shut at the same time. Yes I know that only one drawer opens at a time but that can be easily overcome with the right timing. They can lock if one drawer is slammed hard enough.

Opening requires flipping or jiggling the lock bar at the back center or corner of the cabinet depending on the brand. I had a dedicated 1/8" x 3/4" x 4' steel flat bar kept at the ready. I don't remember the exact technique for Lista (we had about a dozen cabinets of various brands) but it involved using a flashlight to look between the upper most drawer and the cabinet top to locate the lock bar, sliding the steel flat bar in the same opening and using it the move the lock bar. Again it has been a few years since I retired so I don't remember exactly how a Lista lock bar moves. Some brands need to be moved sideways, others lifted, some pulled somewhat towards the cabinet front. Looking in there with a flashlight will probably revel how the lock works. Sometimes the lock bar needs a healthy push, sometimes they move easily. Of course if you can look at another Lista cabinet you will be able to determine what method would work.

I got pretty good at opening them, usually less than a minute. I worked with a lot of idiots so I got a lot of practice.

 

[RVDan]

Yes you should be able to get a piece of flat bar in there and lift the lock bar.

 

[zak911]

For others in this predicament, I'd like to point out that on my older Lista there are 2 purposes of the vertical rotating C shaped locking bar. The first of course is to lock all of the drawers. The second is to keep the other drawers closed when any drawer is opened. So, opening any drawer rotates the bar (assuming you have the plastic hooks on the backs of your drawers) and keeps the other drawers from opening. This is a safety measure to keep multiple open drawers from tipping the cabinet over.

However, there is a big difference between these two situations. If you remove a drawer, you can reach into the back of the cabinet and rotate the bar back and forth "locking" and unlocking the other drawers. This is what happens when any drawer is opened. The locking bar is not actually locked in place. As mentioned above, you can slide a thin bar between the drawers to the back of the cabinet and rotate the locking bar thereby freeing the drawers. So if slamming a drawer inadvertently rotates the bar and locks the drawers, this method will work.

BUT, if the rotating bar has been locked with the key, it will NOT rotate freely. The above technique will not work. It's not that easy breaking into a locked cabinet.

Check this with your own cabinet. Remove a drawer and reach into the back and rotate the locking bar back and forth. Then lock your cabinet and see if it moves freely. Mine won't.

 

[Trey T]

Break the plastic bezel to the cylinder. Use a small flat screwdriver to push the c-clip out. Take cylinder out and use a needle nose to turn the 1/4" square rod

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

STOP Drilling, breaking, etc. I am sorry I did not see this thread earlier. I am a Lista Distributor and I can provide you with instructions on how to break in without breaking anything. Drilling is NOT the answer.

Send me your email address and I will send instructions. Sorry, I won't post that on a public page. MY beat email is [email protected]

Thanks,
Joe

 

[diyptmechanic]

Can anyone send me instructions? My drill, and bits are in the box and I would rather not do the brute force method. Keys are in it as well..