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Lock and key for older tool box

CROmech

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2015
Messages
51
I am looking for a lock cylinder with key for an older Mac box. It’s a cam style with hook.

I can find a lot of Chinese made stuff but I am looking for US made.

Cheers
 
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mikebaker1129

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Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
1,576
Location
Huffman,TX
A pic of the lock might help.
Are completely missing the lock and key?
I usually get keys and locks from Easykeys.com
 
OP
C

CROmech

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2015
Messages
51
76078BF7-26B7-4A70-9A63-96FBEE6FD86B.jpeg
 

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RTM

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Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
13,164
Location
SF Bay Area
Not sure this one is right, looks double edged, but your cylinder does not.


This looks more likely

 
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Ohio Andy

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Jul 31, 2024
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2,292
Location
Columbus, Ohio
So @CROmech , what was the resolution for this? Did you get a key, if so how, or did you give up?
I just wanted to chime in that, although I can't speak for what happened in this particular instance, but I've been able to get replacement keys for a couple of different boxes.... For me, the last one was a Kennedy. And the boxes were very old and the keys work just fine.

So if you need a key for a particular box post some details
 

JeffreyG

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2025
Messages
24
Hey, thanks for responding. I was actually born in Columbus but was moved when I was a year old to FL then MA, and never moved back to Ohio (as Chrissie sang) so my only memories of OH are from visiting relatives when I was older. Fond memories I should add.

Anyway, I started this story in another thread, buying a couple old toolbox stacks full of vintage tools: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...f-garage-journal.49743/page-433#post-11415533 I would be interested in knowing whether @CROmech found a solution since our cases sound very similar - no key for old MAC toolboxes. I can post more details on my case either in this thread or in the vintage toolbox thread, whatever seems most appropriate?
 

Toxictom

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Messages
318
Location
Anchorage, AK
I took a similar lock to locksmith to replace entire unit. The locksmith said he liked a challenge and would hand cut me a key. He poked around with a pick a couple times and hand filed a new key in about 4 minutes. I was impressed. Charged me like $3.
 

JeffreyG

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2025
Messages
24
I took a similar lock to locksmith to replace entire unit. The locksmith said he liked a challenge and would hand cut me a key. He poked around with a pick a couple times and hand filed a new key in about 4 minutes. I was impressed. Charged me like $3.
Wow, I live in an alternate universe. Maybe it’s worth the 9,200 mile drive from NH to AK and back to find your locksmith? OK, maybe not!

My local locksmith looked it up in his book and it wasn’t there, so he quoted $100 to open and make a key, per lock! Three locks for $300, for boxes taken to his shop. More, obviously, for a house call. This was on the phone, and was the phone answerer, so who knows if he would actually charge that much to a real person standing in front of him. But not really worth the effort to unload the boxes and pack them in a car and drive them to him.
 

Ohio Andy

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Joined
Jul 31, 2024
Messages
2,292
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Hey, thanks for responding. I was actually born in Columbus but was moved when I was a year old to FL then MA, and never moved back to Ohio (as Chrissie sang) so my only memories of OH are from visiting relatives when I was older. Fond memories I should add.

Anyway, I started this story in another thread, buying a couple old toolbox stacks full of vintage tools: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...f-garage-journal.49743/page-433#post-11415533 I would be interested in knowing whether @CROmech found a solution since our cases sound very similar - no key for old MAC toolboxes. I can post more details on my case either in this thread or in the vintage toolbox thread, whatever seems most appropriate?
Born in fort Riley kansas. Grew up north of Detroit Michigan. Went to Ohio for another degree and stayed. Ohio has been good to me.

Have my father's old cabinets to a friend. Good good quality, no idea where the keys are . I did not buy new keys before giving the cabinets away. They are probably nicer than mine, but did not want to reorganize.
 

bwringer

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Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Messages
10,279
Location
Indianapolis
Wow, I live in an alternate universe. Maybe it’s worth the 9,200 mile drive from NH to AK and back to find your locksmith? OK, maybe not!

My local locksmith looked it up in his book and it wasn’t there, so he quoted $100 to open and make a key, per lock! Three locks for $300, for boxes taken to his shop. More, obviously, for a house call. This was on the phone, and was the phone answerer, so who knows if he would actually charge that much to a real person standing in front of him. But not really worth the effort to unload the boxes and pack them in a car and drive them to him.
As soon as he starts rummaging in a book, just say "uh, never mind..." and hang up or walk away.

If there's more than one locksmith in your town, find the one that actually enjoys and is capable of solving mechanical lock problems. I found one here in Indy (Broad Ripple Lock Service, in case you're local), and she's never failed me yet on all sorts of weird motorcycle luggage and ignition keys.

Quite a few locksmiths these days have pivoted to mostly vehicle keys, which mostly involves a lot of specialized electronics, cryptography, and arcane knowledge the manufacturers don't want to share. But the world is still full of mechanical locks.
 

lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,956
Location
Toronto
There's lots of choices for replacement locks, vending/ washing machines, etc, use the same ones. A few examples shown below.
 

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alinc100

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Joined
May 26, 2013
Messages
3,027
Location
Dearborn,MI
Not sure this one is right, looks double edged, but your cylinder does not.


This looks more likely

The second one looks right to me. If it was my lock, I'd spin the wheel and lay money on this one.
 

Spareparts

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Joined
Mar 12, 2010
Messages
2,042
Location
Lansing Ks.
Auston Hardware, Lee Summit Mo, they provide all kinds of hardware for truck body's
they have the locks yor are looking for. I went to Home Depot and the had a rack with
lock and keys for all kinds of boxes.
 
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